Matthew Abbott

About Matt Abbott

Matt Abbott is the director of government and diplomatic programs at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Prior to joining the Council, he served as director of global and economic affairs for US Senator Mark Kirk (IL). He also served on the staff of Mr. Kirk in the US House of Representatives as well as the staff of Representative Philip Crane (IL-08). Abbott has been a volunteer on two successful US Senate campaigns and three successful US House campaigns.

His commentary and analysis have been featured in dozens of media outlets including BBC World News, The Chicago Tribune, CNBC, The Dispatch, and The Hill.

He was a participant in the National Committee on American Foreign Policy's Emerging Leaders Program for Next Generation Korea Peninsula Specialists and completed a research project on US legislative branch engagement with North Korea. Abbott is the recipient of multiple other awards and fellowships including a Foreign Policy Fellowship with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and a Kim Koo Fellowship with the Korea Society.

Abbott has participated in numerous conferences, Track 1.5, and Track 2 sessions on East Asian security issues. He has traveled extensively and has visited over 95 countries on official, academic, and personal trips. He is a member of the National Committee on North Korea and serves on the Board of Directors of the Japan America Society of Chicago.

He received his undergraduate education at Dartmouth College and completed his graduate education at the University of Chicago. Abbott also received a diploma from the United States Naval War College.