Allison
McManus

Managing Director, National Security and International Policy

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Allison McManus

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Allison McManus is a managing director for the National Security and International Policy department at American Progress. She oversees the strategic direction of the department in advancing principled and pragmatic approaches to national security and foreign policy.
McManus’ career has been dedicated to bolstering democracy, human rights, and security in U.S. foreign policy, with a focus on the Middle East. Prior to joining American Progress, she was the managing director at the Freedom Initiative, where she oversaw the organization’s operations and advocated on behalf of political prisoners in the Middle East and North Africa. She also served as the research director of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy from 2014 to 2019. Her work has been published in Foreign Affairs, The American Prospect, The Intercept, and The Hill, among other publications, and she is a frequent commentator in print and television media.
McManus holds a Master of Arts in global and international studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University.
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The U.S.-Israeli War: Destabilizing Lebanon and the Broader Region Upcoming Event

The U.S.-Israeli War: Destabilizing Lebanon and the Broader Region

Please join the Center for American Progress for a virtual conversation with expert panelists based in the region who will explore the regional political, security, and humanitarian dynamics of the U.S.-Israeli war, with a particular focus on Lebanon.

Online via Zoom

The Dangers of Hegseth’s “Warfighter” Ethos In the News

The Dangers of Hegseth’s “Warfighter” Ethos

In an op-ed for Just Security, Allison McManus outlines the dangers of Pete Hegseth's approach to foreign policy, arguing its "maximum lethality" ethos fails to leverage the real strengths of the U.S. armed forces.

Just Security

Allison McManus

How Trump’s Unilateral Foreign Policy Has Eroded American Power Article
An American flag flies near the dome of the U.S. Capitol.

How Trump’s Unilateral Foreign Policy Has Eroded American Power

In his State of the Union address, President Trump will attempt to project strength. But while his administration’s unilateral foreign policy—from military strikes on Iran to reckless tariffs—expands the bounds of executive power, it has only weakened the United States on the world stage.

Allison McManus, Dawn Le

La intervención militar de Trump en Venezuela beneficia a las grandes petroleras, no al pueblo estadounidense Artículo
A child walks along the beach at dusk on the outskirts of El Palito refinery.

La intervención militar de Trump en Venezuela beneficia a las grandes petroleras, no al pueblo estadounidense

La administración Trump arriesgó las vidas de militares estadounidenses con sus recientes acciones militares en Venezuela, todo en un esfuerzo por beneficiar a sus donantes petroleros a pesar del alto costo para los contribuyentes.

The Trump Administration’s Reckless Strikes in Iran Raise More Questions Than Answers Article
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after announcing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

The Trump Administration’s Reckless Strikes in Iran Raise More Questions Than Answers

Amid a tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Iran, the ultimate consequences of President Trump’s military intervention in Iran remain unknown but are potentially deeply damaging to U.S. interests. Congress should exert its authority to prevent the president from drawing the United States further into conflict in the future.

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