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Allison
McManus

Managing Director, National Security and International Policy

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National Security and International Policy
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Restoring Social Trust in Democracy; Democracy; Foreign Policy; Human Rights; Middle East; National Security

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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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How Trump’s $500 Million UAE Crypto Deal Trades U.S. National Security for Family Profit Article
Trump walking up stairs to plane

How Trump’s $500 Million UAE Crypto Deal Trades U.S. National Security for Family Profit

Days before Trump’s second inauguration, the United Arab Emirates’ “Spy Sheikh” secretly bought 49 percent of the Trump family’s crypto firm. Months later, the administration handed over America’s most sensitive AI chips technology to the United Arab Emirates despite national security concerns. This isn’t just profiteering; it’s a betrayal of U.S. national security.

Allison McManus, Andrew Miller, Dan Herman

India’s Elections and Global Implications Past Event

India’s Elections and Global Implications

Please join the Center for American Progress and Hindus for Human Rights for a panel of democracy and foreign policy experts shedding light on the recent elections, the significance for India's global ambitions, and implications for future U.S.-India relations.

Online only

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

Damian Murphy, Allison McManus

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.

Andrew Miller, Allison McManus

100 Days of the Trump Administration’s Foreign Policy: Global Chaos, American Weakness, and Human Suffering Report
President Donald Trump is seen sitting at a table with members of his Cabinet.

100 Days of the Trump Administration’s Foreign Policy: Global Chaos, American Weakness, and Human Suffering

In only 100 days, the Trump administration has wrought chaos around the world and weakened the United States’ place in it—leaving the American people and billions of others worldwide to pay the price.

Allison McManus, Ryan Mulholland, Andrew Miller, 3 More Dan Herman, Robert Benson, Courtney Federico

How Congress Can Help Curb the UAE’s Role in Sudan’s Crisis Article
A man walks past a damaged building in Khartoum North, Sudan.

How Congress Can Help Curb the UAE’s Role in Sudan’s Crisis

To see a peaceful end to the conflict, Congress must hold the UAE accountable for its role in fueling Sudan’s violent civil war and deepening its humanitarian crisis through the weapons and gold trade.

Allison McManus, Anne Griffin

It’s Time for a Just and Lasting Peace in Israel and Palestine In the News

It’s Time for a Just and Lasting Peace in Israel and Palestine

In an op-ed published by Inkstick, Allison McManus argues why the United States should seize moments of opportunity ahead to propel the West Bank toward a just and lasting peace and outlines the role the country could play in doing so.

Inkstick

Allison McManus

Trump and Vance’s Disgraceful Oval Office Ambush of Zelenskyy Comes at America’s Expense and Only Benefits Putin Article
U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House, February 2025.

Trump and Vance’s Disgraceful Oval Office Ambush of Zelenskyy Comes at America’s Expense and Only Benefits Putin

Trump and Vance’s deliberate humiliation of Zelenskyy in Washington signaled to allies and adversaries alike that America’s leadership is in crisis, jeopardizing Ukraine’s fight for survival and emboldening Putin’s aggression.

Allison McManus, Robert Benson

How Trump’s Attack on USAID Undermines American Leadership and Security Article
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters is seen on February 3, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

How Trump’s Attack on USAID Undermines American Leadership and Security

President Donald Trump’s MAGA plan to gut America’s low-cost, high-impact foreign assistance programs to help fund tax cuts for the ultrawealthy is a blow to U.S. influence abroad that will also make Americans less safe at home.

Alan Yu, Allison McManus, Laura Kilbury

Pete Hegseth Is Unfit To Lead the Pentagon Article
An aerial view of the Pentagon.

Pete Hegseth Is Unfit To Lead the Pentagon

Pete Hegseth lacks the credibility and experience required to lead a body as massive and as critical as the Department of Defense; his confirmation as secretary of defense would be a major risk to Americans’ safety and security.

Allison McManus, Dan Herman, Laura Kilbury

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