Emily Harding

Vice President, Defense and Security Department; Director, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program
Emily Harding

Emily Harding is director of the Intelligence, National Security, and Technology (INT) Program and vice president of the Defense and Security Department (DSD) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. As the head of the INT Program, Harding provides thought leadership on the most critical issues facing intelligence professionals and on the future of intelligence work. In her capacity as vice president of DSD, 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, Harding has established herself as an expert on how technology is revolutionizing national security work. She has also 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 the Central Intelligence Agency, 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. She holds a master’s degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.

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What Just Happened in Venezuela? And What Comes Next?

What is the future of Venezuela? Is there a chance for a transition to democracy? Will the United States be able to work with a protégé of Maduro to help govern Venezuela? CSIS experts discuss the aftermath of the U.S. strike on Venezuela, addressing these questions and more.

Event — January 5, 2026

Audio Briefs

What Is the Strategy in the Ukraine-Russia Peace Negotiations?

An audio version of "⁠What Is the Strategy in the Ukraine-Russia Peace Negotiations?⁠," a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Emily Harding. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Emily Harding — November 24, 2025

Audio Briefs

What Is the Strategy in the Ukraine-Russia Peace Negotiations?

Intensive negotiations are ongoing this week on another Ukraine peace plan. While the Trump administration’s unorthodox, hard-hitting approach to negotiations have forced parties to the table before, it’s too early to know if this approach will work.

Critical Questions by Emily Harding — November 24, 2025

Audio Briefs

Intelligence in a Transparent World

An audio version of “⁠Intelligence in a Transparent World⁠,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Emily Harding. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Emily Harding — September 16, 2025

Audio Briefs