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Steven Clemons
Steven Clemons
from Wikipedia

Steven Craig Clemons (born 1962) is an American journalist and blogger. In March 2022, he became Founding Editor at Large[1] of Semafor,[2] Justin Smith and Ben Smith’s new media startup, to create their global events vertical. He spent three years as Editor at Large of The Hill.[3] Before that, Clemons was Washington editor-at-large of The Atlantic and editor-in-chief of AtlanticLIVE, the magazine's live events series.[4][5] Clemons also served as editor-at-large of Quartz,[6] a digital financial publication owned by Atlantic Media. He is also the host of The Bottom Line that airs on the global network of Al Jazeera English.[7]

Key Information

Clemons also published a political blog, The Washington Note, through April 2015[8] and was previously CEO of the multi-arts platform The BeBop Channel.[9] He is a former staff member of Senator Jeff Bingaman. Clemons is also served as Director of the American Strategy Program at the New America Foundation where he previously served as Executive Vice President, and the former director of the Japan Policy Research Institute[10] which he co-founded[11] with Chalmers Johnson. The New America Foundation has been described as radical centrist in orientation,[12] and Clemons characterizes himself as a "progressive realist".[13]

Background

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Clemons is the former executive vice president of Economic Strategy Institute, former executive director of the Nixon Center for Peace and Freedom (now the Center for the National Interest), and served as Senator Jeff Bingaman's Senior Policy Advisor on Economic and International Affairs.[14] He has also served on the advisory board to the Center for U.S.-Japan Relations at the RAND Corporation. Earlier in his career, Clemons was the executive director of the Japan America Society of Southern California from 1987 to 1994.[15]

In 1993, Clemons was the technical advisor for the film Rising Sun, which starred Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes. Clemons also had a role as a talk show host.[16] He also had a role in the film State of Play, starring Ben Affleck.[17]

Clemons serves on the board of advisors of the C. V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience[18] at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, and the Clarke Center[19] at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Blogging and Media

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Clemons is perhaps best known for his blog The Washington Note,[20] which focused on foreign policy issues and general US policy debates. In 2010, Time selected Clemons' blog as one of their "Best blogs of the year."[21]

His articles have also appeared in other blogs, such as HuffPost[22] and Daily Kos,[23] and in major publications around the country.

Clemons serves at the host of The Bottom Line on the Al-Jazeera English news services.[24]

Honors

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Clemons is a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour.[25]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Steven Clemons is an American journalist, editor, and analyst specializing in Washington politics, , and international economic strategy. Clemons has held senior editorial roles, including founding of Semafor, of The Hill, and Washington of The Atlantic, where he contributed analysis on domestic and global policy issues. He hosts The Bottom Line, a Washington-based program on examining U.S. and political developments. In leadership, Clemons served as founding of the American Strategy Program at the New America Foundation and executive vice president of the Economic Strategy Institute, focusing on policy innovation and U.S.-Asia relations. Earlier in his career, he acted as senior policy advisor on economic and international affairs to U.S. Senator and directed the Japan America Society of from 1987 to 1994, co-founding the Japan Policy Forum to advance bilateral ties.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Upbringing

Steven Clemons was raised in , where he spent his early years as a native of the small city in the northeastern part of the state. Little public information exists regarding his , including parents or siblings, reflecting Clemons' focus in professional profiles on his career rather than personal origins. Prior to establishing his career in Washington, D.C., around 1994, Clemons relocated to , California, for approximately 14 years, during which he pursued higher education at the (UCLA), earning a degree in in 1984. This period marked the transition from his upbringing to broader professional engagements, including directing the Japan America Society of Southern California.

Academic and Early Professional Training

Clemons earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in from the (UCLA) in 1984, where he received the Outstanding Senior Award for his record of service and intellect. Following graduation, Clemons began his professional career in as a for Japan's General, gaining initial exposure to international affairs and U.S.-Japan relations. This role provided foundational training in diplomatic communication and policy analysis before his transition to . In 1994, Clemons relocated to the nation's capital to serve as the first of the Nixon Center (now the Richard Nixon Foundation), a focused on and , marking his entry into Beltway policy circles. There, he managed operations and program development, honing skills in strategic outreach and bipartisan engagement on global issues. Subsequently, Clemons advanced to executive vice president at the Economic Strategy Institute, a Washington-based organization emphasizing trade and , where he contributed to research and advocacy on . He later worked as a senior policy advisor to U.S. Senator (D-NM) on economic and international affairs, providing congressional-level training in legislative strategy and oversight. These positions established his expertise in formulation and leadership during the 1990s.

Professional Career Trajectory

Early Policy and Nonprofit Roles

Clemons began his professional career in nonprofit organizations focused on . From 1987 to 1993, he served as executive director of the Japan America Society of , a nonprofit promoting cultural and economic ties between the and , during which he co-founded the Japan Policy Research Institute with political scientist to advance research on Japanese policy. In 1993, while still associated with the Japan Society, Clemons became the founding executive director of the Nixon Center for Peace and Freedom (later renamed the Nixon Center), a bipartisan established to foster dialogue on and U.S. , holding the position until 1995. Following his think tank roles, Clemons worked as senior policy advisor on economic and international affairs for U.S. Senator (D-NM) in the , where he contributed to op-eds and advised on matters. Prior to joining the New America Foundation in 1999, Clemons served as executive vice president of the Economic Strategy Institute, a Washington-based advocating for U.S. economic competitiveness through and policies.

Think Tank Leadership and Strategy Development

Clemons served as Executive Vice President of the Economic Strategy Institute, a Washington-based focused on international economic policy and , prior to joining the New America Foundation in May 1999. In this leadership role, he advised on economic strategy matters, including U.S. competitiveness in global markets and policy responses to imbalances, drawing on his prior Capitol Hill experience as a senior professional staff member for the U.S. on Governmental Affairs. Upon arriving at the New America Foundation in 1999, Clemons assumed the position of Executive Vice President, a role he held until 2011, during which he helped shape the organization's expansion as a centrist policy institute. He founded and served as the inaugural of the American Strategy Program within New America, directing efforts to reexamine U.S. in the post-Cold War era. The program sought to advance a "new American internationalism" through research, convenings, and publications that emphasized multilateral alliances, , and adaptive frameworks over unilateral approaches. Under Clemons' leadership, the American Strategy Program produced analyses on U.S. engagement with , reconfiguration, and domestic foundations for global influence, influencing debates on sustainable American . His strategy development work prioritized empirical assessments of alliance costs and benefits, critiquing overreliance on military primacy while advocating for integrated economic and diplomatic tools to address emerging threats like China's rise. This initiative positioned New America as a venue for cross-ideological policy innovation, though it drew scrutiny for blending centrist and progressive viewpoints in strategy formulation.

Transition to Journalism and Editorial Positions

In June 2011, Clemons transitioned from his executive roles at the New America Foundation—where he had served as executive vice president and founded the American Strategy Program—to by joining The Atlantic as of AtlanticLIVE, the publication's live events division. This move marked a shift from policy advocacy and strategy to editorial leadership in media, leveraging his expertise to curate events and commentary on global affairs. At The Atlantic, Clemons expanded his influence through senior editorial positions, including Washington , where he contributed to coverage of U.S. and over approximately nine years. Following this period, he held editorial roles at outlets such as and , further embedding his career in journalistic platforms focused on . By around 2020, Clemons assumed the position of at The Hill, America's highest-circulation political newspaper, emphasizing opinion and analysis on and . This progression to editorial roles allowed Clemons to bridge think tank insights with public-facing , though he maintained affiliations with policy institutions like New America as a senior fellow. In March 2022, he joined Semafor as founding , continuing his media trajectory amid the startup's launch by media executives Justin Smith and Ben Smith.

Media Presence and Blogging

Founding and Impact of The Washington Note

Steven Clemons founded The Washington Note in 2004 as a personal political focused on , current affairs, and Washington insider perspectives, with technical assistance from , founder of the Talking Points Memo. The platform quickly established itself as a venue for Clemons to publish opinion pieces, guest contributions, and analysis drawing on his think tank experience, emphasizing U.S. strategy in , the , and global diplomacy. By 2007, The Washington Note had garnered recognition for its access to policymakers and influence in shaping public discourse, with outlets like describing it as one of the capital's premier blogs for blending insider knowledge with critical commentary. Its impact extended to public policy education, earning inclusion in TIME magazine's 2010 list of top blogs for honing expertise on issues like and governance. The blog facilitated debates on contentious topics, such as U.S. engagement with and critiques of neoconservative , often amplifying voices from think tanks and former officials. Clemons maintained editorial control, using the site to host guest posts from figures like and to challenge mainstream narratives, though its output scaled back after 2015 amid his expanding media roles. Despite reduced frequency, The Washington Note remains active for occasional high-profile commentary, including on U.S. elections and as recently as July 2024, underscoring its enduring role as a niche outlet for unfiltered policy analysis.

Television Hosting and Public Commentary Roles

Clemons serves as host of The Bottom Line, a weekly program based in , focusing on U.S. foreign policy, global affairs, and political analysis through interviews with policymakers, experts, and analysts. The show, which debuted by late 2019, features discussions on topics such as U.S. , international conflicts, and presidential agendas, with episodes airing regularly into 2025. In this role, Clemons moderates debates, as seen in segments questioning U.S. approaches to Gaza ceasefires and priorities under various administrations. Beyond hosting, Clemons has been a frequent public commentator on U.S. television networks, providing analysis on and domestic politics. He appeared multiple times on MSNBC's starting in the early 2010s, contributing insights on issues like Saudi Arabian intelligence operations and U.S. strategy in . His commentary extended to , where he discussed regional dynamics following high-profile diplomatic remarks. Clemons has also engaged in extensive public commentary via , with over 220 appearances since 1992, often addressing presidential foreign policy agendas, U.N. speeches, and global conflicts such as those in and the . These roles have positioned him as a regular voice in televised policy discourse, emphasizing strategic U.S. engagement abroad.

Foreign Policy Positions and Influence

Core Principles and U.S.-Asia Focus

Clemons has described his foreign policy orientation as progressive realism, integrating a realist focus on power balances and national interests with progressive priorities such as and democratic promotion. As director of the New America Foundation's American Strategy Program, established in 1999, he promoted a new American internationalism aimed at modernizing U.S. traditions through tough-minded assessments of global security and economic dynamics alongside commitments to multilateral engagement and value-based . This approach critiques unilateral overreach while emphasizing strategic adaptation to multipolar realities, as evidenced in his advocacy for regional stakeholder involvement to stabilize conflict zones like . Clemons' specialization in U.S.-Asia policy developed from his early career, including a seven-year tenure from 1989 to 1996 as executive director of the Japan America Society of , where he facilitated dialogues on bilateral economic and security ties. He co-founded the Japan Policy Research Institute in 1994 to advance research on U.S.- relations and broader Pacific strategies. In subsequent analysis, Clemons has stressed strengthening alliances in the , arguing for mutual trust-building with partners like and to counterbalance China's assertive posture, particularly amid trade frictions and territorial disputes. His commentary on U.S.- dynamics highlights realism over alarmism, portraying Beijing's confidence as potentially fragile due to internal economic vulnerabilities and overreliance on state-driven growth models. Clemons has critiqued U.S. policies that risk alienating allies through unpredictability, instead favoring coordinated deterrence and economic resilience in to maintain American leverage without escalating to confrontation. This perspective aligns with his broader internationalist framework, prioritizing empirical assessments of power shifts—such as 's regional ambitions—over ideological .

Stances on Key Global Issues and U.S. Strategy

Clemons has consistently advocated for a realist U.S. emphasizing and restraint over ideological interventions, particularly in the , where he draws direct lessons from the War's intelligence failures and resource overstretch. In analyzing the invasion's aftermath, he highlighted neoconservative mismanagement as a key factor in prolonging instability, arguing that such incompetence eroded U.S. credibility and empowered adversaries without achieving strategic gains. This perspective informed his broader critique of post-9/11 strategies that prioritized military dominance, favoring instead policies to empower regional moderates through targeted engagement rather than broad . On Iran, Clemons opposed escalatory military options, contending in 2007 that U.S. attacks would trigger severe reprisals in and the Gulf, disrupt global energy supplies given Iran's reserves, and repeat Iraq's pitfalls of flawed intelligence and unintended regional destabilization. He noted the Bush administration's rejection of Vice President Cheney's hawkish pushes in favor of a "" dynamic, empowering diplomats like and to pursue non-military paths while maintaining credible deterrence. This stance reflects his preference for de-escalation, warning that bombing campaigns could alienate Sunni allies and bolster Iranian influence across Shia networks in the . In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Clemons has questioned indefinite Western escalation, hosting discussions that underscore the absence of a decisive "" and the necessity of mutual compromises to avert a . He has amplified realist critiques, such as former Senator Hagel's call for to abandon unrealistic expectations and confront the conflict's brutal realities, including Russia's prioritization of victory over negotiated peace. Skeptical of unchecked U.S. aid without an endgame, Clemons argues that strategies must account for Moscow's resilience and the limits of proxy support, echoing his broader caution against overcommitment that mirrors Iraq's quagmire. Regarding U.S.-China competition, particularly over , Clemons endorses warnings of a potential collision course, advocating strategies to avert showdowns through deterrence without provocation, as seen in his support for analyses critiquing arms sales that heighten tensions without resolving core disputes. He views as a vital flashpoint but emphasizes diplomatic maneuvering to preserve U.S. interests in , critiquing policies that risk economic interdependence's collapse or direct confrontation amid fragile bilateral "dances." Overall, his approach to global strategy prioritizes "ambidextrous" analysis—balancing power realities with pragmatic outreach—over rigid ideologies, positioning the U.S. to manage multipolar risks without ideological overreach.

Controversies and Reception

Professional Management Disputes

In early 2019, Steven Clemons, then of AtlanticLIVE and Washington editor-at-large at The Atlantic, encountered internal complaints from subordinates about his management style during a period of transition at the organization. These issues were discussed in meetings involving Atlantic staff, with sources describing specific grievances including an instance where Clemons reportedly mistook two female African American employees for one another, which was perceived as a lapse in professional sensitivity. Clemons has denied that these complaints led to his departure from The Atlantic, asserting that he was not pushed out and that his exit was voluntary amid broader changes in his career trajectory. The disputes coincided with his announced intention to join Axios as a contributor, a move he publicly withdrew from on March 7, 2019, via email to media observers, without elaborating on the reasons beyond personal considerations. No formal investigations or public resolutions were reported, and Clemons continued to prominent roles in journalism, including at The Hill shortly thereafter.

Ideological Critiques from Conservative and Isolationist Viewpoints

Conservative hawks, particularly neoconservatives, have faulted Steven Clemons for his vehement opposition to neoconservative influence in U.S. , characterizing his rhetoric as excessively punitive and akin to McCarthyism. In a 2007 article, Clemons' advocacy for "purging the neocons from the American soul"—a phrase he used to argue for rooting out what he saw as ideologically driven warmongering—was cited as emblematic of an overzealous anti-neocon campaign that demonized proponents of robust anti-totalitarian interventions. This critique portrayed Clemons' stance, rooted in his progressive realist framework, as aligning with left-leaning narratives that unfairly stigmatize conservative security priorities, potentially undermining bipartisan support for assertive U.S. leadership against authoritarian threats. Isolationist-leaning conservatives, emphasizing restraint in foreign entanglements, have similarly critiqued Clemons for inflating the strategic centrality of specific conflicts, such as the , which they argue receives disproportionate attention unrelated to genuine U.S. vital interests. Daniel Larison, writing in in 2011, contended that Clemons overstated the conflict's "dramatic echo effects" globally, attributing its prominence more to Western affinity for than to inherent geopolitical weight, and dismissed analogies to Northern Ireland's resolution as misguided given the latter's quicker timeline under U.S. pressure on an ally. Larison's analysis highlighted how such emphases could perpetuate unnecessary American involvement, contrasting with isolationist preferences for prioritizing domestic concerns over peripheral regional dynamics. These viewpoints underscore a broader conservative of Clemons' engagement-oriented realism, viewing it as insufficiently detached from internationalist impulses despite his criticisms of overreach in places like .

Recent Activities and Current Roles

Editorial and Hosting Engagements Post-2020

In 2021 and 2022, while serving as Editor at Large at The Hill, Clemons contributed opinion pieces and analysis on U.S. foreign policy, including columns critiquing American strategy in the Middle East and Asia, drawing on his extensive network of policymakers. This role, which began in April 2019, emphasized expanding the outlet's editorial platforms amid growing demand for policy commentary during the Biden administration's early foreign policy shifts. In March 2022, Clemons became Founding at Semafor, a global news startup focused on international affairs, where he shaped content strategies and authored pieces on U.S.- relations and transatlantic security until 2024. His contributions at Semafor highlighted multipolar global dynamics, often interviewing diplomats and strategists to inform readers on underreported geopolitical tensions. Since 2024, Clemons has held the position of Editor at Large at The National Interest, a publication specializing in realist foreign policy perspectives, where he oversees and contributes to articles on great-power competition and U.S. grand strategy. Throughout this period, Clemons has hosted The Bottom Line, a weekly Al Jazeera English program based in Washington, D.C., featuring in-depth interviews with experts on topics such as U.S. elections' global impacts, Israel-Palestine developments, and great-power rivalries; episodes from March 2023 onward demonstrate its focus on causal drivers of international events rather than surface-level narratives. The show, which airs on Al Jazeera's global network, positions Clemons as a moderator emphasizing empirical policy outcomes over ideological framing.

Involvement in International Forums and Initiatives

Clemons co-chairs the U.S. Initiative of , a Bratislava-based focused on European and transatlantic security policy, which organizes annual forums addressing , defense, and hybrid threats. In this role, he contributes to bridging U.S. and European perspectives on geopolitical challenges, including Russia's aggression in and China's global influence. As a member of the World Economic Forum's Council on Geopolitical Risk, Clemons engages in discussions on international economic policy, defense strategies, and risk mitigation across global forums like . His contributions emphasize U.S. intersections with trade and security, drawing from his prior executive directorship at the Japan America Society of from 1989 to 1996. Clemons has moderated panels at the , including sessions on global order and U.S.-Afghan policy transitions in 2022, featuring experts from Afghan and U.S. perspectives. He also participates in the Aspen Security Forum, where he addresses U.S. strategy in and stability. These engagements position him as a commentator on dynamics and multilateral responses to authoritarian challenges.

Honors and Legacy

Awards and Recognitions

In 1984, Clemons received the Outstanding Senior Award from the UCLA Alumni Association, recognizing his exemplary record of service as a major that demonstrated intellect and social conscience. He had previously been awarded the 1983 College of Letters and Science Undergraduate Prize at UCLA for academic excellence. On October 3, 2025, Clemons was named the winner of the Award, an honor presented annually to celebrate excellence in American journalism, with the formal ceremony scheduled in , , as per tradition. The award highlights his contributions as for The National Interest and host of The Bottom Line on .

Long-Term Impact on Policy Discourse

Clemons' establishment of the American Strategy Program at the New America Foundation in the early 2000s advanced a vision of renewed American internationalism, emphasizing the integration of military capabilities with diplomatic, economic, and cultural engagement to address 21st-century global challenges. This initiative sought to update U.S. traditions, fostering debates on sustainable strategies beyond post-9/11 . By hosting forums and publishing analyses, the program contributed to discussions on , influencing centrist policy circles toward multilateral frameworks. His prolific writings and commentary, appearing in outlets such as The Atlantic and major op-ed pages since the 1990s, have sustained focus on U.S.-Asia dynamics, including alliance management with and economic competition with . Clemons' "progressive realist" approach, which critiques policies across partisan lines—such as Democratic handling of initiatives and Republican defense spending rhetoric—has promoted bipartisan scrutiny in discourse. For instance, his organization of the Washington Ideas Forum in 2011 brought together policymakers like Vice President and former Secretary of State , amplifying non-ideological exchanges on international security. Long-term, Clemons' pioneering use of blogging via The Washington Note (launched mid-2000s) democratized access to , bridging elite wonkery with public debate and predating widespread digital policy platforms. This has enduringly shaped how U.S. strategy in the is framed, advocating deepened alliances amid rising geopolitical tensions, as seen in his ongoing contributions to journals like Discuss Japan. His emphasis on "ambidextrous" analysis—balancing realism with progressive elements—has countered polarized narratives, encouraging evidence-based reevaluation of U.S. commitments in multilateral settings.

References

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