Top Pentagon policy official stepping down amid Tuberville holds

Top Pentagon policy official Mara Karlin is stepping down from her role at the end of the month, leaving an even bigger gap in confirmed Department of Defense (DOD) leaders thanks to Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Ala.) continued hold on numerous senior military and civilian nominees. 

Karlin — who was key in helping develop the Biden administration’s National Defense Strategy and most recently served as acting under secretary of defense for policy — is leaving the Defense Department for academia at the end of the year, acting Undersecretary of Defense for policy Sasha Baker said in a statement.

“I deeply appreciate Dr. Karlin’s dedication, strategic acumen, and her profound commitment to public service,” Baker said in the statement. “Her contributions significantly strengthened the department’s strategic approach and preparedness for future security challenges. As Dr. Karlin embarks on her next chapter, we wish her the very best and are confident that her impact on national security will continue to resonate for years to come.”

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs Melissa Dalton will take over Karlin’s role when she leaves. 

Karlin’s exit means the top two positions in DOD’s policy office and the top official in charge of Pentagon strategy will be filled by acting officials until those nominated for the roles are voted through in the Senate. 

Tuberville since March had held up hundreds of military nominations, including civilians that work in the Pentagon, over his objection to the institution’s abortion policy. 

Last week he lifted his blockade, but he is still standing firm on 11 officers nominated for four-star positions as well as senior DOD civilian nominations.

Karlin since April 2021 had worked as the assistant secretary for strategy, plans and capabilities before moving to acting deputy undersecretary for policy in July. But when then-Under Secretary of Defense for policy Colin Kahl stepped down, Baker took up his position.

Derek Chollet was originally nominated to replace Kahl, but his nomination is awaiting a committee vote in the Senate.

Among her many roles at the Pentagon, Karlin led and provided strategic counsel to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin as a new emerging capabilities policy office was formed, helped with the modernization of U.S. force posture in the Indo-Pacific, and aided in the implementation of the Australia-United Kingdom-United States partnership. 

She also led the department’s relations with nearly 150 countries in Europe including those in NATO, the Middle East, Africa, Russia, Eurasia, and the Western Hemisphere through most of 2021.