Cohen, William Sebastian definition of Cohen, William Sebastian in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Cohen, William Sebastian, 1940–, American politician, b. Bangor, Maine. He attended Bowdoin College (B.A., 1962) and Boston Univ. (LL.B., 1965). A Republican, he was elected to the House of Representatives from Maine, serving three terms (1973–79), and became senator from Maine, also for three terms (1979–97). Sitting on the armed services committee (1979–97) and the select committee on intelligence (1983–91, 1995–97), Cohen was an influential figure in defense and international security issues, establishing a reputation as an independent moderate. From 1997 to 2001, Cohen was secretary of defense under President Bill Clinton Clinton, Bill (William Jefferson Clinton), 1946–, 42d President of the United States (1993–2001), b. Hope, Ark. His father died before he was born, and he was originally named William Jefferson Blythe 4th, but after his mother remarried, he assumed the
..... Click the link for more information. . He advocated the development of modern weaponry, the closing of obsolete bases, and active but carefully considered U.S. participation in international affairs. Cohen has written a number of books, including mysteries, poetry, and (with George Mitchell Mitchell, George John, 1933–, U.S. public official, b. Waterville, Maine. An attorney in private and government practice in the 1960s and 1970s, he was a protege of Senator Edmund Muskie .
..... Click the link for more information. ) an analysis of the Iran-contra affair Iran-contra affair, in U.S. history, secret arrangement in the 1980s to provide funds to the Nicaraguan contra rebels from profits gained by selling arms to Iran.
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