The Policy Planning Staff (sometimes referred to as the Policy Planning Council or by its in-house acronyms S/P) is the chief strategic arm of the United States Department of State. It was created in 1947 by renowned Foreign Service Officer George F. Kennan at the request of Secretary of State George Marshall to serve "as a source of independent policy analysis and advice for the Secretary of State." Its first assignment was to design the Marshall Plan. Past directors include George F. Kennan, Paul Nitze, and Richard Haass.
The Staff is headed by the Director of Policy Planning. The current director is Jake Sullivan.