Richard Falkenrath, an assistant professor of public policy at the Kennedy School of Government (KSG), has been selected as President George W. Bush's director for proliferation strategy at the National Security Council, the KSG announced this week.

The top-secret council serves as the president's principal forum for considering national security and foreign policy issues with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials.

Falkenrath, who was not available for comment, has already begun advising Bush on missile defense.

In a KSG press release from earlier this week, Falkenrath said, "I am honored to have been chosen and I hope that my eight years at the Kennedy School have prepared me for the challenges ahead."

Yesterday, National Security Advisor Condeeleza Rice also announced the appointment of Robert G. Joseph as special assistant to the president and senior director for proliferation strategy, counterproliferation and homeland defense. Falkenrath will serve under Joseph.

This is not the first time that Falkenrath has served in an advisory role for the government. He has been a consultant for the U.S. Department of

Defense, several Congressional offices and the intelligence community.

Falkenrath's colleagues said they expect he will excel in his new position.

"He knows a lot about the subject he will be dealing with," said KSG Professor Matthew Bunn. "It will be great to have someone as energetic and committed to getting something done."

Bunn said the appointment did not surprise many at the Kennedy School.

In 1998, Falkenrath completed a three-year term as executive director of the Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. He had previously served as a research fellow at the Belfer Center's International Security Program.

Falkenrath's research has concentrated on nuclear, biological and chemical weapons proliferation, arms control, ballistic missile defense, European and post-Soviet security, the Persian Gulf and terrorism.

While serving as a British Marshall scholar at King's College, Falkenrath

received his Ph.D. in War Studies.

He is also a graduate of Occidental College in Los Angeles.