Jason Israel

Senior Advisor

Former Senior Director for Defense Policy, National Security Council

Jason Israel served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director, leading the Defense Policy & Strategy team and chaired the Interagency Policy Committee on multiple issues including security assistance, defense industry/production, nuclear deterrence, military personnel/families, and outer space security.  

He began his career as an officer on submarines and, remaining in the national security field, has lived and worked in Europe, Africa, and Australia serving as a leader within several organizations including the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Pentagon, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Cyber Command, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and multiple U.S. embassies. 

He provides risk analysis and strategic advice to corporate clients, previously as  Cyber Practice Lead at Partners in Performance, Strategy Director at Hart International Australia, and also has over two decades of experience in developing and facilitating scenario-based simulation exercises and leadership workshops, with a focus on improving leadership and decision-making in complex national security and crisis settings.  

Jason is a Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, a guest lecturer at National Defense University, and has been a frequent media contributor offering analysis on leadership and global affairs including Sky News, ABC, The Interpreter, and Sydney Morning Herald.  He is a Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve, and holds degrees from the U.S. Naval Academy, Old Dominion University, and Harvard University.