Robert Wilkie
Chairman of the Center for American Security
Robert Wilkie served as the 10th Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He is the Chairman of the Center for American Security and the Senior National Security Analyst for NEWSMAX Television. He has also served Secretary James Mattis as his Under Secretary of Defense for Readiness. During the George W. Bush Administration, Mr Wilkie served both Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates as Assistant Secretary of Defense from 2005–09, and he was the youngest senior leader in the Department. Mr Wilkie was Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and a Senior Director of the National Security Council under Dr Condoleezza Rice. He is a retired Colonel in the United States Air Force. He holds an Honours degree from Wake Forest University, a Juris Doctor from Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans, a Master of Laws in international and comparative law from Georgetown University, and a Master's in strategic studies from the US Army War College.
Updated: April 30, 2026