Steven Ward – The Cipher Brief

Steven Ward
Former Senior Analyst, CIA

Steven R. Ward is a retired intelligence officer and former member of CIA’s senior analytic service who specializes in Iran and the surrounding region. A retired U.S. Army Reserve lieutenant colonel and graduate of the United State Military Academy at West Point, he currently is a contract historian for the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint History Office. Between 2010 and 2012, he was a CIA Visiting Professor to the US Naval Academy at Annapolis. From 2005 to 2006 he served as the Deputy National Intelligence Officer for the Near East on the National Intelligence Council, and he was a Director for Intelligence Programs on the National Security Council from 1998 to 1999.

More From Steven Ward

Iran in 2019: Cautiously Surviving

January 9, 2019January 8, 2019

There is certain to be no shortage of headlines in the new year when it comes to Iran’s relationship with the rest of the world. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made clear during remarks in...

Iran: Maximum Pressure and Perfect Storms

October 29, 2018October 29, 2018

Last spring, two weeks after the Trump Administration withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – the international arms control deal that curbed Tehran’s nuclear...

Is Iran Defiantly Looking Toward a Deal?

July 31, 2018July 30, 2018

This analysis is Cipher Brief Level I Member Only content. It can be accessed via login or by signing up to become a Cipher Brief Member. Joining this high-level, security-focused community is only...

Iran's Dire Straits

July 18, 2018July 17, 2018

In early July, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani threatened to prevent other countries from exporting oil if U.S. sanctions prevented Iran from selling its oil. Senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard...

Negotiate Now to Limit Range of Iranian Bombs

September 1, 2017November 6, 2017

This analysis is Cipher Brief Level I Member Only content. It can be accessed via login or by signing up to become a Cipher Brief Member. Joining this high-level, security-focused community is only...

Network Spotlight

Kenneth L. Wainstein

In 2008, after 19 years at the Justice Department, Ken was named Homeland Security Advisor by President George W. Bush. In this capacity, he coordinated the nation's counterterrorism, homeland security, infrastructure protection, and disaster response and recovery efforts. He advised the President, convened and chaired meetings of the Cabinet Officers on the Homeland Security Council, and oversaw the inter-agency coordination ...