The Washington Post: Paul Schemm named Russia/Ukraine editor

Paul Schemm (Photo credit: The Washington Post)

An announcement from International Editor Douglas Jehl:

We’re happy to announce that Paul Schemm will become our next Russia/Ukraine editor, leading coverage of a conflict that has upended the global balance of power and will pose a challenge to Europe and the United States for years to come.

This promotion makes formal a transition that began last August, when Paul stepped in to run Russia/Ukraine coverage on a temporary basis. Paul has excelled in the role and won high praise from across a Russia/Ukraine team that includes correspondents in Kyiv, Riga, Berlin, London and, intermittently, in Moscow. In his new role, Paul will work very closely with David Herszenhorn, his predecessor in the job, who takes over as European affairs editor when he returns from fellowship leave next month.

A highly accomplished journalist, Paul has played a pivotal role at The Post for nearly a decade as early international editor, working closely with correspondents around the world during hours when most of the newsroom is asleep. He worked from Addis Ababa and then from Dubai before moving to London in 2021. He has also helped lead the Europe, Asia and Middle East teams as a deputy regional editor.

Before joining The Post in 2016, Paul worked for the Associated Press as North Africa chief correspondent based in Morocco and, before that, in Cairo as part of the Middle East regional bureau. He has also worked for Agence France-Presse and has contributed to the Christian Science Monitor, the Houston Chronicle, the Boston Globe and the Financial Times. He is a graduate of Williams College, with a B.A. in political science, and the University of Texas, with an M.A. in Middle East studies and journalism. He speaks French and has advanced ability in Arabic.

Paul will officially begin the new job on June 1, and he will remain based in London.