United States Secretary of Defense to die was Frank Carlucci (1987–1989), on 3 June 2018. United States Secretary of Defense The Secretary of Defense (SecDef) is the leader and chief executive officer of the United States Department of Defense, the executive department of the Armed Forces of the United States. The Secretary of Defense's position of command and authority over the United States' military is second only to that of the President and Congress, respectively. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in many other countries. The Secretary of Defense is appointed by the President with the advice and consent
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs made to that position. In 2008, a new post, the "Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Security Affairs" was created within USD(P). The Global Security Affairs office was responsible for defense-related issues concerning building the capability of partners and allies; coalition affairs; technology security policy; security cooperation; counternarcotics, counterproliferation, and countering global threats; detainee affairs; and POW/MIA issues. Under the Obama Administration, ASD for Global Security Affairs was retitled "Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs", or ASD(GSA). With respect to regional defense policy toward Europe and Eurasia, the ASD(ISP)'s responsibilities seem to have been absorbed by the ASD(ISA)