Amos Hochstein
| Amos Hochstein | |
|---|---|
| File:Amos Hochstein 2014.jpg | |
| Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs | |
| Assumed office August 1, 2014 |
|
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Carlos Pascual |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | United States |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 1 |
Amos J. Hochstein[1] is a U.S. diplomat and the current Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs.
Contents
Career
Advising Congress
Hochstein began his career in Washington, D.C. on Capitol Hill where he served in a variety of senior level positions, ultimately serving as the Senior Policy Advisor to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. Hochstein first served as the principal Democratic staff person on the Economic Policy, Trade & Environment Subcommittee where he oversaw work authorizing Ex-Im Bank, OPIC and USTDA, as well as drafting legislation on export controls and trade-related multilateral organizations and regimes. Hochstein worked as a Senior Policy Advisor to then-Governor Mark Warner, and later as Policy Director for Senator Chris Dodd.[1] Hochstein was also an aide to Representative Sam Gejdenson.[2]
As a lobbyist
Hochstein later moved to the private sector as Executive Vice President of International Operations at Cassidy & Associates. Throughout his career, he was a counselor and lobbyist for both domestic and international oil and gas companies, as well as companies focusing on renewable energy. In this capacity, he assisted corporations in assessing potential new markets and the development of alternative sources of power.[1]
While working at Cassidy & Associates, Hochstein lobbied on behalf of the President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, to mediate an agreement with the United States Agency for International Development.[2]
Energy diplomat for the Obama Administration
Hochstein began working at the U.S. Department of State in 2011, joining the newly formed Bureau of Energy Resources.[3] Serving as deputy to Special Envoy Carlos Pascual, Hochstein worked to help Ukraine find new supplies of natural gas in the wake of the 2014 Russian invasion.[4]
On August 1, 2014, Hochstein became the acting Special Envoy and Coordinator of International Energy Affairs, and was permanently appointed to the position later in the year.[4] As the Special Envoy, Hochstein oversees the Bureau of Energy Resources and advises Secretary of State John Kerry on global energy security and diplomacy.
In his capacity as the U.S.'s chief energy diplomat, Hochstein encouraged European countries to find new oil, gas, coal, and nuclear sources, to alleviate their dependence on Russian energy.[5] In response to President Vladimir Putin's plans for new gas pipelines to bypass an existing transit coordinator through Ukraine towards Greece and Italy, Hochstein described the plans as "political projects that have questionable economic value" to the European energy market.[6] He has also stated that the U.S.'s position isn't to exclude Russia from the European market entirely, but rather that Russia should be an equal player, remarking that "European countries should be able to choose their supplier and force their suppliers to compete for their business. That is what is good for energy security of Europe, economic security and ultimately for the national security of those countries involved."[6][7]
Hochstein has also been involved in the U.S. front against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, specifically cutting their oil revenues by disrupting their production lines.[8] Hochstein's team coordinated with the U.S. Department of Defense to determine targets.[9] Airstrikes subsequently blew up nearly 400 tanker trucks.[10] In a testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Hochstein described the military actions as "not only more bombings, but a different kind of bombing."[4]
In response to Russian officials claiming that the Turkish government was illegally buying oil from the Islamic State, Hochstein dismissed these claims, saying that "I do not believe there is significant smuggling between ISIL-controlled areas and Turkey of oil of any significant volume."[11]
Hochstein has also worked on multilateral energy affairs, meeting with Urban Rusnák, Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Conference, to discuss progress on the Energy Charter Process.[12]
On October 8, 2015, President Barack Obama nominated Hochstein to be the Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, the official chief position for the bureau.[13][14]
Personal life
Hochstein has four children.[2]
References
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