Karem leaving DOD to work for McConnell

Robert Karem, currently the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, will be leaving his Senate-confirmed Pentagon post to serve as a staffer for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), according to an announcement from McConnell's office.

Karem, who will be advising McConnell on national security matters, was confirmed to his current job by the Senate in May 2017. He previously served as acting under secretary of defense for policy from June 2017 to November 2017, and has prior experience working for McConnell as a legislative assistant.