Lorne Craner returned to the International Republican Institute as President in 2004, and has since strengthened IRI’s programs in countries such as China, Colombia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Tunisia and Iraq. Previously, as Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Craner initiated the first U.S. government programs to advance democracy in China, helped construct the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s “good governance” criteria, and contributed to the conception and implementation of the administration’s approach to democratization in the Middle East. Upon his departure, Craner received the Distinguished Service Award, the State Department’s highest honor, from Secretary Colin Powell. Earlier in his career, Craner was a Director of Asian Affairs at the National Security Council and worked in the Senate and House.