Jacob Nagel is a retired Israeli Major General and prominent defense expert with a distinguished career spanning over 40 years in Israel's national security apparatus. Born in 1957, Nagel served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Ministry of Defense, and the Prime Minister's Office. He held key positions including National Security Advisor to Prime Ministers Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak. As Scientific Deputy and Acting Head of the Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D) at the Ministry of Defense, he chaired the 'Nagel Committee,' which recommended the development of the Iron Dome short-range ballistic missile defense system, a cornerstone of Israel's defense strategy. Nagel's expertise in military technology and policy has made him an influential figure in Israeli security circles.

Currently, Nagel is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and a visiting professor at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology's Aerospace Engineering Faculty. He heads the Center for Security Science and Technology and the Peter Munk Research Institute at the Technion, his alma mater, where he contributes to advancing defense technology research. Nagel also consults for organizations like the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, extending his influence in international security networks. He is married with four children and nine grandchildren.

Nagel's background as an engineer and military officer underscores his role in bridging technological innovation with strategic defense policy. His career reflects deep involvement in Israel's defense innovation ecosystem, particularly in missile defense and research & development initiatives.