John P. Hannah (born 1962) is an American foreign policy expert and neoconservative figure known for his roles in U.S. national security and advocacy for robust American intervention in global affairs, particularly in the Middle East. He graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Government in 1984 and earned a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School in 1991. His early career included positions at the U.S. State Department and work as a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), focusing on international security issues.

Hannah rose to prominence during the George W. Bush administration, serving as Vice President Dick Cheney’s Senior National Security Aide and a principal recipient of Intelligence Community reports. He served as National Security Advisor to Vice President Cheney from 2005 to 2009 — a role he assumed after being on loan from the office of John Bolton — and also served as Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs. In these positions he was a principal advisor on Middle East policy and helped shape policies supporting the Iraq War, counterterrorism strategies, and strong U.S.–Israel alliances; he has often advocated for regime change and preemptive military action.

After leaving government, Hannah joined the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) as a senior fellow and currently serves as Senior Counsel at FDD, influencing policy debates through writings, testimonies, and media appearances on Iran, Syria, and countering Islamist extremism. He is considered a key link between FDD, the United Arab Emirates, and hardline neoconservative foreign policy. He also serves as a senior fellow and board member of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), reflecting strong ties to pro‑Israel advocacy groups. While his work has drawn criticism for promoting aggressive foreign policies linked to prolonged conflicts and regional instability, Hannah remains a vocal defender of his positions, emphasizing perceived threats posed by authoritarian regimes. His career exemplifies the intertwined networks of think tanks, government, and advocacy organizations that shape U.S. foreign policy.