Ted Barrow is the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. He has children.[1]
He advises Leo McGarry and C.J. Cregg regarding the possible defection of North Korean pianist Jai Yung Ahn. He argues against the defection because the United Nations is in negotiations with North Korea, and North Korea is so unpredictable that if the defection goes through they might walk out. When President Bartlet gives Jai the choice of defecting or returning for the sake of peace, Barrow wants to cancel his performance. Jai chooses to return, however, though the negotiations get held up for other reasons.[2]
He advises the President on the arrest of American missionaries in Sudan, and he speaks with the families. He warns against interfering because the missionaries violated Sudanese law; ultimately, the American government bribes the Sudanese to release them.[3] He is brought in again when there are democratic, yet Anti-American protests Saudi Arabia, and he advises attempting to make contact with the leaders of the protests.[4]
When an E-2C Hawkeye is shot down off the coast of North Korea, Barrow advises against a rescue mission for the crew members who have made it to land and suggests they negotiate for the pilots' safe return instead. The President goes forward with the rescue mission.[5]
He is brought in when the Congressional Delegation to Gaza is hit by a roadside bomb. He reports that the State Department is in touch with the Palestinian Authority; unlike Secretary Hutchinson, he is not certain that Chairman Nizar Farad knows who did it.[6] He suggests they ask the Palestinian Authority to arrest the suspected bomber, but while they are speaking with the chairman, the Israeli Army surrounds the chairman's compound and cuts off contact.[7]