Christopher Maier

Christopher P. Maier was the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict from 2021 until 2025. As the civilian service secretary for the U.S. Special Operations enterprise, he helped prioritize its role in strategic competition, while modernizing essential counterterrorism and crisis response missions. He also led all special operations, irregular warfare, counterterrorism, counternarcotics, and information operations policy on behalf of the secretary of defense. Prior, he led the Department of Defense’s Defeat-ISIS Task Force, directing the department's role in the campaign to achieve enduring defeat of ISIS, including eliminating ISIS control of all territory in Iraq and Syria. He guided the Defense Ministry components of the 80-plus-member Global Coalition and pivoted the multinational strategy to a sustainable international effort. Maier earlier served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for special operations and combating terrorism, overseeing a broad range of operational and policy initiatives that contributed to major national security successes across two administrations in counterterrorism, hostage, contingency, and security missions. As a director on the National Security Council staff, he authored the president’s 2011 National Counterterrorism Strategy. Maier also held multiple positions at the National Counterterrorism Center, including senior advisor to the director and chief of strategic assessments and regional planning. Prior to government, he worked as a strategy and management consultant to commercial, government, and nonprofit organizations. He is an officer in the Air National Guard and holds degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.