Emily Harding

Emily Harding is director of the Intelligence, National Security, and Technology (INT) Program and deputy director with the International Security Program at CSIS. As the head of the INT Program, she provides thought leadership on the most critical issues facing intelligence professionals and on the future of intelligence work. She also serves as deputy director of the International Security Program, where she is responsible for leading a team of world-renowned scholars providing policy solutions that shape national security.
Drawing on her decades of experience in national security, Emily has established herself as an expert on how technology is revolutionizing national security work. Harding has served in a series of high-profile national security positions at critical moments. While serving as deputy staff director on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, she led the committee’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 elections, which was lauded for its bipartisanship. At CIA, she led analysts and analytic programs through moments of crisis, including shepherding the Iraq Group during the attempted Islamic State takeover. During a tour at the National Security Council, she served as director for Iran. After leaving the White House, her team ran the first Office of the Director of National Intelligence-led presidential transition, where she was responsible for briefing the incoming administration. Harding is an adjunct lecturer at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Her analysis has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, BBC, NPR, Bloomberg, and other outlets. Harding holds a master’s degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Paige Montfort
- Assistant Director of Communications, External Relations
- 202.775.3173
- pmontfort@csis.org
In the News
The World Paid a Stiff Price for Bad Reporting on the Gaza Hospital Explosion
Emily Harding in Newsweek — October 24, 2023
Israel at War: Living in Terror -- A Special Edition of 20/20
Emily Harding in ABC — October 12, 2023
Hamas Attack Prompts Blame Around Israeli Intelligence
Emily Harding in Bloomberg — October 7, 2023
Chinese Gate-Crashers at U.S. Bases Spark Espionage Concerns
Emily Harding in Wall Street Journal — September 4, 2023
How India became the hottest date in quantum computing
Emily Harding in Tech Monitor — August 28, 2023
Three ways a technological revolution will impact the intel community
Emily Harding in Defense News — July 26, 2023
Experts Debate Need for Cyber Force Service Branch
Emily Harding in MeriTalk — April 24, 2023
US Embarrassed After 21-Year-Old Arrested in Classified Documents Leak
Emily Harding in Bloomberg — April 13, 2023
All Emily Harding Content
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Decoding D.C.: Policy, Power, and People
Fireside Chat with Andrew Shearer
Event — December 4, 2023
Hamas’ October 7 Attack: The Tactics, Targets, and Strategy of Terrorists
Event — November 7, 2023
Fireside Chat with LTG Berrier
Event — November 1, 2023
Experts React: Assessing the Israeli Intelligence and Potential Policy Failure
Commentary by Jessica Davis Tricia Bacon Emily Harding and Daniel Byman — October 25, 2023
The Outlook for Israel’s Military Campaign against Hamas
Event — October 23, 2023
CISA's Evolving .gov Mission: Report Rollout Event
Event — October 23, 2023
Israel’s Intelligence Regroups
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Emily Harding — October 23, 2023

Press Briefing: Latest Insights on Israel-Hamas War
Event — October 13, 2023
How Could Israeli Intelligence Miss the Hamas Invasion Plans?
Commentary by Emily Harding — October 11, 2023