Stephen D. Bryen is an American national security expert and former U.S. government official with over 50 years of experience in government and industry, specializing in technology security, export controls, international security strategy, defense technology, and Middle East affairs. He served as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (also referenced as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense) for Technology Security Policy from 1981 to 1988 during the Reagan administration, where he pioneered policies on technology security and high-tech trade matters affecting national defense. He was also the first Executive Director of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA). His early career included extensive experience on Capitol Hill in the 1970s, working on defense and foreign policy matters. However, his career has been marked by controversy: in 1978, while working as a staffer for Senator J. William Fulbright, Bryen was accused of attempting to pass classified U.S. documents to representatives of Israel, leading to an FBI investigation for potential espionage. The case was dropped in 1981 without charges, but allegations of espionage ties have persisted throughout his career, with critics linking his policies and past to pro-Israel advocacy in U.S. security matters. Post-government, Bryen transitioned to the private sector as a commentator and consultant, has held positions such as senior fellow at the Center for Security Policy, authored books, provided congressional testimony, and continues to influence debates on technology transfer and national security.