William Scott Ritter Jr., known as Scott Ritter, is an American former Marine Corps intelligence officer and United Nations weapons inspector who gained prominence for his role in inspecting Iraq's weapons programs in the 1990s. Born on July 15, 1961, Ritter served as a lead inspector for the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) from 1991 to 1998, where he was involved in uncovering and dismantling Iraq's chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons capabilities following the Gulf War. His tenure ended amid controversies, including clashes with U.S. officials over inspection protocols. Ritter resigned in protest, later becoming a vocal critic of the 2003 Iraq War, accusing the U.S. government of manipulating intelligence to justify the invasion—a point emphasized in both sources. He has authored several books on disarmament, intelligence, and U.S. foreign policy, including 'Disarmament in the Time of Perestroika' (2023), which examines nuclear agreements between Russia and the United States.

Post-military career, Ritter has positioned himself as an independent commentator and analyst, frequently appearing on media outlets to discuss international relations, particularly U.S. policies toward the Middle East, Russia, and Ukraine. He has been critical of NATO's expansion and predicted Russia's advantages in the Ukraine conflict, as noted in his 2023 statements. Ritter has engaged in international activities, such as a book tour in Russian cities like Kazan and Yekaterinburg in May 2023, and meetings with foreign leaders, including Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in New York in 2023. His commentary often challenges mainstream Western narratives, portraying Russia and Iran as resilient against U.S. influence, which has led to accusations of pro-Russian bias. Ritter has also worked as a filmmaker, directing documentaries on related geopolitical themes.

Ritter's career has been marked by legal and personal controversies, including a 2011 conviction for unlawful contact with a minor, which he has described as a setup related to his anti-war activism. Despite these challenges, he remains active in public discourse, contributing to discussions on global security and disarmament through writing, speeches, and online platforms.