Martin Sean Indyk (July 1, 1951 – July 25, 2024) was an Australian-American diplomat, academic, and foreign policy expert renowned for his expertise in Middle East affairs, particularly U.S.-Israel relations and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Born in London, United Kingdom, to a Jewish family of Polish origin, he was raised and educated in Sydney, Australia, where he developed an early interest in international relations. He immigrated to the United States in the 1980s, becoming a naturalized citizen in 1993 or 1994 (sources differ on exact year) to facilitate his government roles. Before entering U.S. government service, Indyk worked closely with pro-Israel organizations, serving as deputy research director (deputy director of research) for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for three years in the late 1970s/early 1980s and as the founding executive director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP) from 1985 to 1993, establishing himself as a key figure in the Israel lobby despite efforts to distance himself from perceptions of being 'an arm of AIPAC.'

Indyk's government career spanned multiple high-level positions under Democratic administrations. Appointed by President Bill Clinton, he served as Middle East adviser on the National Security Council (1993-1995), became the first foreign-born U.S. Ambassador to Israel (1995–1997 and 2000–2001), and acted as Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs (1997–2000), playing pivotal roles in peace negotiations like the Oslo Accords and Camp David Summit. Under President Barack Obama, he returned as special envoy for Middle East peace (2013–2014). After his governmental roles, he served as executive vice president of the Brookings Institution, directing its Saban Center for Middle East Policy (2002-2012), and later held academic positions as distinguished fellow in International Diplomacy.

Indyk was known for his expertise in the Israel lobby and Middle East peace processes, frequently appearing in mainstream media as a Middle East expert. His work earned praise for dedication to intractable issues but drew criticism for strong pro-Israel biases tied to his lobbying background. His career was marked by controversies, including a 2000 temporary revocation of his security clearance over alleged improper contacts with Israeli officials (later restored) and 2014 investigations into unauthorized discussions with Israeli officials (no charges resulted). His contributions to diplomacy were marked by his Australian sensibilities and unique perspective as an outsider in U.S. politics, often highlighted by Clinton's jokes about their accents. He authored books like 'Innocent Abroad: An Intimate Account of American Peace Diplomacy in the Middle East' (2009) and dedicated his career to addressing intractable international issues in the region. Indyk passed away in 2024 from complications of esophageal cancer at age 73, leaving a legacy as one of the foremost U.S. diplomats focused on Middle East issues.