Key Facts
Career & Education
About
Shoshana T. Bryen is an American national security expert and policy analyst specializing in Middle East affairs and U.S.-Israel relations. She served as Executive Director and Vice President of Policy at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), a pro-Israel advocacy organization, from 1984 to 2018. In these roles, she directed policy research, organized educational briefings and trips for U.S. policymakers, military leaders, and journalists to Israel and the region, and contributed to JINSA's mission of strengthening U.S.-Israel security cooperation by emphasizing shared strategic interests against threats like terrorism, regional instability, and Iran. Her work included authoring reports, op-eds, and testimonies advocating for robust American military support for Israel and critiquing policies perceived as weakening bilateral ties.
After leaving JINSA in 2018, she transitioned to consulting and media commentary and currently serves as Senior Director at the Middle East Forum (MEF), a conservative think tank founded by Daniel Pipes focused on promoting Western values in the Middle East and countering Islamist extremism. At MEF, she directs programs on U.S. foreign policy, Israel, and counterterrorism, and analyzes geopolitical developments while critiquing U.S. foreign policy. Bryen is a frequent contributor to outlets like The Jerusalem Post, Fox News, National Review, and Jewish media, known for her hawkish views on Israel, opposition to policies perceived as weakening U.S. alliances, support for Israeli settlements, and criticism of multilateral diplomacy like the Iran nuclear deal. She frequently speaks at conferences and provides analysis on national security issues.
Bryen holds a B.A. in Political Science from Queens College (CUNY). She is married to Stephen Bryen, a fellow national security expert and former Reagan administration official who has worked on defense export controls and intelligence matters. The couple's shared professional interests have amplified their influence in conservative and pro-Israel circles. She has co-authored books and reports on national security topics, emphasizing military strength and strategic partnerships, and has been recognized for her long-standing contributions to public discourse on these issues. No public controversies or legal issues are associated with her career.