
CIA Director (2013–2017); Senior National Security and Intelligence Analyst, NBC News and MSNBC
A distinguished leader who’s served as Acting Director and Deputy Director of the CIA and as a U.S. Army officer, John McLaughlin assesses today’s most challenging international problems and provides strategies for tackling them.
John McLaughlin teaches courses on American Intelligence and Foreign Policy and coaches on leadership at The School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University. A former CIA leader, he served there for 32 years, capping his career leading the Agency as its Deputy Director and Acting Director from 2000 to 2004. During his career, McLaughlin helped guide the Agency’s global mission, ranging from analysis to covert operations. He served seven U.S. Presidents and personally briefed four of the last six on the full range of global affairs. Along the way, he dealt with the nation’s most pivotal events — from the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the Soviet Union, the emergence of an independent Russia, the battle against terrorism before and after the 9/11 attacks, and the proliferation of nuclear and other unconventional weapons. The government continues to draw on his expertise for advice on issues ranging from leadership to homeland security and recommendations aimed at improving counter-terrorism.
McLaughlin contributes to the public debate of pressing issues through his role as National Security Analyst for MSNBC, his foreign affairs column for OZY, congressional testimony, and contributions to publications such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, and POLITICO.