Wilson Center Experts
Jane Harman
Director, President and CEO
Contact Information:
T 202-691-4202
Expertise:
Democracy
; Democracy Promotion
; Gender
; Gender Equality
; Human Rights
; Women's Rights
; Security and Defense
; Cyber Security
; Intelligence
; International Security
; Terrorism
; U.S. National Security
; U.S. Politics
; Congress
; Elections
; U.S. Domestic Policy
; U.S. Foreign Policy
; Middle East and North Africa
; 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
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. more
Egypt's Emerging Democracy
Nov 28, 2012In separate interviews, the Wilson Center's Jane Harman and Robin Wright discuss Egypt's fragile democracy. more
“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. more
Should Lawmakers and White House Have Been Warned of Petraeus Investigation?
Nov 15, 2012When 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. more
Is the Petraeus Scandal about National Security?
Nov 15, 2012Jane Harman talks to CNN's Wolf Blitzer about the departure of David Petraeus as CIA Director.
more
Woodrow Wilson’s second term may be model for Barack Obama
Nov 08, 2012With Steven Spielberg’s film “Lincoln” hitting theaters this Friday, there’s a lot of hype about what our next president — now that we know who he is — can learn from Honest Abe about running and healing a politically divided country. But as Barack Obama heads into his second term, there’s another president who may have just as much relevance as a role model: Woodrow Wilson. more
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. more
"We can't kill our way out”: A bipartisan vision for 21st century American foreign policy
Oct 26, 2012University 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. more
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. more
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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?
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cyber Gridlock: Why the Public Should Care
October 01, 2012 // 12:30pm — 2:00pm
As Washington fiddles, the vulnerability of U.S. infrastructure, private and public devices and networks grows. The U.S. has no clear, coordinated and effective policy to mitigate the complex threat. The public has no idea how vulnerable they are, and are left out of the debate.
America’s Role in the World Post 9/11: A New Survey of Public Opinion
September 10, 2012 // 12:30pm — 2:00pm
This event will launch the latest biennial survey of U.S. public opinion conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and is held in partnership with them and NPR.
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Wilson Forum - Drug Policy: A 21st Century Approach to Reform
May 12, 2013 to May 19, 2013
A panel of experts, including R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of Drug Control Policy at the White House, discusses reforming current policies combating illegal drugs in the United States and Latin America.
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.
The Year in Review & A New Cold War
Dec 26, 2012 to Jan 09, 2013
Jane Harman, Wilson Center Director, President, and CEO, discusses important issues and trends in U.S. foreign policy and looks ahead to the challenges we face in the new year.