Richard Fontaine

Richard Fontaine serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, bringing extensive practical experience to his academic role. He is simultaneously the Chief Executive Officer of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), having previously served as CNAS President from 2012-19 and Senior Fellow from 2009-12.

Fontaine's research interests focus on international relations and foreign policy with particular expertise in U.S.-China relations, U.S.-India relations, transatlantic security, and Middle East security. His work bridges academic analysis with practical policy application, drawing from his extensive government experience.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on contemporary geopolitical challenges including U.S.-India relations, the Ukraine conflict, great power competition involving China, Russia and North Korea, and the evolving global order. These works appear in prominent outlets including The New York Times and CNAS publications.

Fontaine's career reflects a deep engagement with national security policy across multiple administrations and political contexts.

His government service includes significant roles as foreign policy advisor to Senator John McCain, foreign policy advisor to the McCain 2008 presidential campaign, minority deputy staff director on the Senate Armed Services Committee, associate director for Near Eastern affairs at the National Security Council (2003-04), and work on Southeast Asian issues in the NSC's Asian Affairs directorate. He also worked at the State Department for the deputy secretary and in the South Asia bureau, and began his career on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee focusing on the Middle East and South Asia.

Fontaine currently serves as executive director of the Trilateral Commission and was a member of the Defense Policy Board from 2021 to 2025.