Edelman in as Defense undersecretary for policy

The Senate has confirmed Eric S. Edelman as the Defense Department's new undersecretary for policy. He replaces Douglas J. Feith.

Edelman, of Virginia, had served in the position since August under a recess appointment that was set to expire in January 2007. The career foreign service officer previously served as ambassador to Turkey and was once a senior aide for national security affairs to Vice President Dick Cheney.

As undersecretary of Defense for policy, Edelman is Donald Rumsfeld's chief policy adviser on a variety of issues, including the war on terrorism.

Edelman earned his bachelor's degree in history and government from Cornell University and his doctorate in U.S. diplomatic history from Yale.