Wilson Center Experts

Jane Harman

Director, President and CEO

Contact Information:

jane.harman@wilsoncenter.org

T 202-691-4202

Expertise:

Democracy

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Democracy Promotion

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Gender

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Gender Equality

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Human Rights

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Women's Rights

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Security and Defense

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Cyber Security

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Intelligence

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International Security

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Terrorism

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U.S. National Security

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U.S. Politics

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Congress

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Elections

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U.S. Domestic Policy

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U.S. Foreign Policy

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Middle East and North Africa

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North America

Jane Harman resigned from Congress February 28, 2011 to join the Woodrow Wilson Center as its first female Director, President and CEO.

Representing the aerospace center of California during nine terms in Congress, she served on all the major security committees: six years on Armed Services, eight years on Intelligence and four on Homeland Security. She has made numerous Congressional fact-finding missions to hotspots around the world including North Korea, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Guantanamo Bay to assess threats against the U.S.

During her long public career, she has been recognized as a national expert at the nexus of security and public policy issues. Harman received the Defense Department Medal for Distinguished Service in 1998, the CIA Seal Medal in 2007, and the CIA Director’s Award and the National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service Medal in 2011. She is a member of the Defense Policy Board, State Department Foreign Policy Board, CIA External Advisory Board, the Director of National Intelligence’s Senior Advisory Group, and is a Trustee of the Aspen Institute and the University of Southern California. In 2012, she was named one of the 50 most influential democrats on foreign policy by Foreign Policy magazine.

A product of Los Angeles public schools, Harman is a magna cum laude graduate of Smith College, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and Harvard Law School. Prior to serving in Congress, she was a top aide in the United States Senate, Deputy Cabinet Secretary to President Jimmy Carter, Special Counsel to the Department of Defense, and in private law practice.

Married for over three decades to Sidney Harman, founder and Chairman Emeritus of Harman International Industries and Chairman of Newsweek magazine, she has four adult children and four grandchildren. Sidney Harman died in April 2011, and she has assumed his seat on the board of directors at the Newsweek Daily Beast Co.

Jane Harman Receives the Private Sector Council Leadership Award on April 25, 2006.

Related Content for this Expert

Chemical Weapons in Syria?

Apr 29, 2013

Jane Harman appears on MSNBC's Morning Joe to discuss allegations of chemical weapon use in Syria. more

U.S. Special Operations 2020

May 02, 2013 // 12:30pm — 2:00pm

Admiral William McRaven, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command laid out his vision for Special Operations Forces and the Command. A panel of experts, including Admiral McRaven, discussed the vision from a number of different perspectives. more

Bombing Suspect: Civilian or Enemy Combatant?

Apr 22, 2013

With the Boston bombing suspect now in custody, how do we balance his constitutional protections as a U.S. citizen with the need to get intelligence on other possible threats? Jane Harman debated this question with a panel on Fox News Sunday. more

Drug Policy: A 21st Century Approach to Reform

April 25, 2013 // 12:00pm — 1:30pm

The illegal drug problem has posed challenges to the United States and Latin America for many decades. While efforts to disrupt the cultivation, processing, and trafficking of drugs to the United States have shown mixed results, the drug trade continues to pose serious threats to citizen security, economic prosperity, environmental conservation, human rights, and democratic governance throughout the hemisphere. In this National Conversation, panelists will address the question of how the U.S. is reforming its policies to address this problem and show sustainable results. more

The Future of Syria

Apr 04, 2013

"This is not just a Syria problem, this is a world problem. I think we have reached the tipping point. This opposition or what is good about it…has got to get more support from the United States and it has to be known that we are helping,” said Jane Harman on MSNBC's Morning Joe. more

Wilson Forum - Allies at Odds: Obama, Netanyahu, and The State of U.S.- Israeli Relations

Mar 03, 2013 to Mar 09, 2013

On an all new episode of Wilson Forum the state of the U.S. – Israeli relations and the current relationship between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu is discussed. more

Why the U.S. Should Give Pyongyang Breathing Space

Apr 02, 2013

North Korea's provocative behavior may be part of a larger effort to break out of diplomatic isolation and economic dependency on China by pressuring Washington to return to the negotiating table. Commentary co-authored by Jane Harman, Robert Hathaway, and James Person. more

The Extrajudicial Use of Drones: The Need for a Post-9/11 Legal Framework

Apr 02, 2013

Jane Harman describes a possible legal framework for the use of drones in the Holt Lecture at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. more

Building Partner Capacity in West Africa

April 16, 2013 // 9:00am — 10:30am

Africa is an opportunity for expanding mutually beneficial partnerships and for growth. America should be investing more in the continent, helping to build infrastructure and relationships in these emerging markets, contributing to the stability and security of the region and making diplomatic gains that can pay dividends later. more

Remote-Control Warfare Requires Rules

Mar 21, 2013

While the means of combating terrorist threats may have changed, the end for preserving international security remains the same. We need strategies, not just tactics — and a necessary part of that equation is creating a durable legal structure for remote-control warfare that will secure buy-in from a global audience, writes Jane Harman in this op-ed. more

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Wilson Center Starts Foreign Policy Fellowship Program

Feb 28, 2013

"Mid-[level] to senior staffers stay on the Hill for a long time -- they are the staffers that members rely on. Maybe we can develop a professional cadre of informed bipartisan staff who will help the institution of Congress do much better policymaking. That's what the agenda is," Jane Harman said about the Wilson Center's new foreign policy fellowship program.

Harman: Drone Courts Can Work

Feb 20, 2013

In this opinion piece, Wilson Center President Jane Harman argues that a FISA-like process for governing so-called "remote-control warfare" --the use of drone strikes and offensive cyberattacks--would protect individual liberties enshrined in the Constitution while confronting a supercharged threat environment.

Israel Faces Reset Moment

Jan 30, 2013

Israel’s surprising election result gives its wing-clipped prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, an opportunity to shift to the center, to reset the U.S.-Israeli relationship, and to seek a two-state solution, writes Jane Harman.

The Future of U.S.-Israeli Relations

Jan 24, 2013

Jane Harman and Aaron David Miller comment on U.S.-Israeli relations in light of the election.

Jane Harman Comments on Nominations of Chuck Hagel and John Brennan

Jan 08, 2013

In this series of interviews, Jane Harman comments on the nominations of Chuck Hagel and John Brennan.

North Korea's Dangerous Ambition

Dec 19, 2012

North Korea's first successful rocket launch is a truly dangerous development. Although the North Koreans have previously detonated two nuclear devices, until now they have not demonstrated any ability to deliver them. Weaponizing a missile is hard, but Pyongyang's close ally Iran has made great advances in miniaturizing warheads. With the combination of North Korea's nuclear bombs and Iran's technology, a nuclear-tipped missile could be capable of striking the West Coast of the United States in the near future. We can no longer afford to ignore North Korea.

Egypt and the Art of Compromise

Dec 14, 2012

"The referendum on Egypt's constitution scheduled for Saturday is a sign that Egyptians of varying views are finally playing politics, not just planning protests. Washington should embrace this in its newfound role of providing guidance without interfering. In other words, it should be coach, not captain," writes Jane Harman in The Washington Post.

A New Egypt Must Learn Political Compromise

Nov 29, 2012

"Too often, the "winner-takes-all" Mubarak model persists in Egyptian politics. Instead of engaging or working within the system, and compromising, opposition forces protest in Tahrir Square or boycott. While these tactics won a revolution, they will not build a democracy," writes Jane Harman.

Egypt's Emerging Democracy

Nov 28, 2012

In separate interviews, the Wilson Center's Jane Harman and Robin Wright discuss Egypt's fragile democracy.

Should Lawmakers and White House Have Been Warned of Petraeus Investigation?

Nov 15, 2012

When the Petraeus news hit, congressional leaders bemoaned not being notified beforehand. Gwen Ifill talks to Wilson Center President and former ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee Jane Harman and former Justice Department official Matthew Miller about when and if Congress and the president should be briefed on such investigations.

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Webcast Podcast

The Rise & Fall of Iran in Arab and Muslim Eyes - A New Poll

March 05, 2013 // 12:30pm — 2:00pm

Of 20 Arab and Muslim states, 14 have unfavorable opinions of Iran. This fact and more was uncovered in James Zogby’s recent poll of Arab and Muslim opinion on Iran. James Zogby was joined by panelists Haleh Esfandiari, Hisham Melhem, Barbara Slavin, and Marc Lynch in this National Conversation discussion moderated by Tom Gjelten of NPR.

Webcast

From Cyber to Immigration, Terrorism to Disasters: Securing America in the Next Administration

January 24, 2013 // 9:30am — 10:30am

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano discussed her departments plans to protect America from multiple threats. This event was co-sponsored with the Aspen Institute's Homeland Security Group.

Webcast Podcast

Allies at Odds: Obama, Netanyahu, and The State of U.S. – Israeli Relations

January 30, 2013 // 12:30pm — 2:00pm

Four years in, the relationship between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu remains a troubled one. What’s behind the tension, can it be alleviated and how will regional challenges such as Iran’s nuclear program or the impasse in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict affect the US-Israeli relations?

Webcast

“The African Union 2012 and Beyond”: The Vision of Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma

November 29, 2012 // 5:00pm — 6:00pm

The event featured Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, African Union Commission Chairperson, as she discussed her leadership plans and goals for the African Union and its member states. Dr. Dlamini Zuma, former South African Foreign Minister and anti-apartheid activist, is the newly elected African Union Commission chairperson and is the first woman to ever fill this position.

Webcast

Anticipatory Governance: Upgrading Government for the 21st Century

November 13, 2012 // 12:30pm — 2:00pm

Leon Fuerth will present practical upgrades that the incoming administration could make to the Executive Branch systems; upgrades that are light on resources, compatible with the existing structures and processes of government, and fully executable under customary Presidential authorities. Ambassador David Abshire, and The Honorable Sandy Berger will respond and discuss.

Webcast

University of Maryland Students Play New Budget Hero: Election Edition

September 19, 2012 // 11:30am — 1:00pm

To launch the Budget Hero Election Edition, which includes President Obama and Governor Romney badges and new policy cards, University of Maryland students of public policy, business, and journalism, played the game's latest version, debating each other.

Webcast

Director's Forum--Yemen’s Transition: The Way Forward

September 28, 2012 // 1:00pm — 2:00pm

His Excellency Abd Rabbo Mansur al-Hadi, president of the Republic of Yemen, will join the Wilson Center's Jane Harman and the Atlantic Council's Frederick Kempe to discuss progress and challenges in Yemen and the role of the international community.

Leading the Second Century of Flight

September 18, 2012 // 10:00am — 11:00am

Since the Wright brothers’ first flight, America’s leadership in aerospace has grown our economy and ensured our security. Today, our leadership is threatened by budget constraints at home and heavy investment by other nations abroad. In this National Aerospace Week address, Jim Albaugh will highlight what’s at stake and what steps the U.S. must take to lead the second century of flight. Jim Albaugh is an executive vice president of The Boeing Company. A 37-year Boeing veteran, Albaugh has led the company’s commercial, defense, space and security businesses.

Webcast

China’s New Leadership—Opportunity for the United States?

October 03, 2012 // 12:30pm — 2:00pm

Watch the webcast HERE! The upcoming 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will usher in a new generation of leaders to oversee the world’s second largest economy for the next decade. How will the incoming fifth generation of Chinese leaders affect party policy? As the U.S.-China relationship continues to grow, in size and complexity, what are the implications of this once-in-a-decade leadership transition, especially for bilateral interaction? Dr. Henry A. Kissinger is joined by former Ambassador to China J. Stapleton Roy, former Fellow Dr. Cheng Li, and China scholar Dr. David M. Lampton to discuss the possible implications for U.S.-China relations of this once-in-a-decade power transition.

Webcast

Is the World More Dangerous 50 years after the Cuban Missile Crisis?

October 15, 2012 // 1:00pm — 2:30pm

In October the world will observe the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the world came closest to nuclear war. In this Wilson Center National Conversation, panelists will discuss the Cuban Missile Crisis and the lessons that it holds in the context of the upcoming US presidential election.