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David Priess

Senior Fellow at Michael V Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and International Security

Dr David Priess has been the Director of Intelligence for the US national security-focused start-up Bedrock Knowledge since 2023 and a Senior Fellow at the Michael V Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and International Security since 2021. Previously, Dr Priess served at the CIA as an intelligence officer, manager, and daily intelligence briefer (1998-2004) and at the State Department as a desk officer during the Bill Clinton and George W Bush presidencies. During the Bush administration, he briefed the President’s Daily Brief to senior officials for more than a year. He has taught at George Mason University, George Washington University, and Duke University and has written two books: The President’s Book of Secrets: The Untold Story of Intelligence Briefings to America’s Presidents from Kennedy to Obama; and How To Get Rid of a President: History’s Guide To Removing Unpopular, Unable, or Unfit Chief Executives. Dr Priess received his PhD in political science from Duke University.
Subjects:
Security
Updated: March 27, 2025

Agenda

Quid Pro Quo: How Russia Makes Friends?
LMC 2025

Articles

Seizing the Opportunity to Enhance Intelligence-Policy Relations

The unusual geopolitical moment created by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and, now, by the shift in official US policy and tone present enormous challenges for Europe’s political leaders, national security officials, and intelligence professionals. But the troubling times also offer a once-in-a-generation opportunity to…

David Priess
LMC 2025

In the news

Ekspert: kaitsesse investeerides ei tohi jätta luuret tähelepanuta

Postimees, June 4, 2025