Directors and Officers

Lorne W. Craner is President of the International Republican Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing democracy, freedom, self-government and the rule of law worldwide. He served as President from 1995-2001 and then returned to the position in August 2004.

In the interim, Craner was Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor for Secretary of State Colin Powell. During this time, he contributed to the conception and implementation of President Bush’s approach to democratization in the Middle East, sharpened the Administration’s focus on human rights in Central Asia and initiated the first U.S. Government programs to advance democracy in China.

Craner was Director of Asian Affairs at the National Security Council from 1992-93. From 1989-92, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs, and he was Senator John McCain’s foreign policy advisor from 1986-89. He has testified before the House and Senate Committees on numerous occasions.