Jonathan Lord Joins CNAS to Direct Middle East Security Program

Washington, July 12, 2022—The Center for a New American Security is pleased to welcome Jonathan Lord as a senior fellow and director of the Middle East Security Program.

"We're pleased to welcome Jonathan Lord to our talented team of national security experts,” said Richard Fontaine, Chief Executive Officer of CNAS. “With his experience as a trusted policy expert—on Capitol Hill, in the Department of Defense and elsewhere—Jonathan will bring deep experience and bold ideas to our Middle East Security Program."

Prior to joining CNAS, Lord served as a Professional Staff Member for the House Armed Services Committee, serving the full committee and managing the U.S. Central Command/Middle East defense policy portfolio, as well as issues related to security assistance. Additionally, Lord previously served as the Iraq Country Director in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and as a Political Military Analyst in the Department of Defense. At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Lord served as a Political Officer during two temporary detail assignments at U.S. Embassy Baghdad in 2018. He also previously worked in support of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Infrastructure Protection.

The CNAS Middle East Security Program conducts cutting-edge research on the most pressing issues in this turbulent region. The program focuses on the sources of instability in the region, maintaining key U.S. strategic partnerships, and generating solutions that help policymakers respond to both fast-moving events and long-term trends. The Middle East Security program draws on a team with deep government and non-government experience in regional studies, U.S. foreign policy, and international security. It analyzes trends and generates practical and implementable policy solutions that defend and advance U.S. interests.

For more information or to request an interview, contact Cameron Edinburgh at [email protected] or call 202-457-9425.