Jason Israel is the Auterion Senior Fellow for the Defense Technology Initiative at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).   

Jason began his career as an officer on submarines and, remaining in the national security field, has served as a leader within several organizations, including the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Pentagon, US Naval Forces Europe, US Cyber Command, multiple US embassies, and the White House National Security Council, most recently as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Defense Policy & Strategy for which he received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal.  

Jason also brings to CEPA over two decades of experience in developing and facilitating leadership workshops including scenario-based simulation exercises, with a focus on improving leadership and decision-making in complex settings. 

Passionate about working to address economic and racial inequity, he has held leadership positions within multiple social impact organizations around the world, including Baltimore Corps and South Baltimore Gateway Partnership in Maryland, Harvard in the Schools in Massachusetts, Nisida Prison Mentorship Program in Italy, and OzHarvest in Australia. 

Jason is a guest lecturer at National Defense University and 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 US Navy Reserve and holds engineering degrees from the US Naval Academy and Old Dominion University and a master’s in public policy in International/Global Affairs from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where he received the Ellen S. Raphael Award for Academic Excellence and Public Service.