Russel (born December 12, 1953) is an American diplomat who served as the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 2013 to 2017.
Prior to his appointment as Assistant Secretary, Russel was Special Assistant to the President and National Security Staff Senior Director for Asian Affairs.
While working at the White House, he was a major figure in the Obama administration's "pivot towards Asia" strategy.Russel is currently a Diplomat in Residence at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York.