Avril Haines, who spent years at the helm of U.S. intelligence operations, is stepping into a new role leading the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The move marks a significant transition for the former intelligence chief into the think tank world.
During her tenure in the intelligence community, Haines played a central part in shaping America's response to Russian aggression. As tensions mounted before the invasion of Ukraine, she helped orchestrate a bold diplomatic gambit: declassifying sensitive military intelligence to expose Russia's buildup and shore up European resolve against Moscow. The strategy proved instrumental in uniting Western allies at a critical moment.
The Carnegie Endowment, one of the nation's oldest and most influential policy research organizations, brings Haines into direct contact with the intellectual ecosystem that shapes foreign policy debates. Her background in intelligence and strategic thinking positions her to guide the institution's work on global security, democracy, and international cooperation.
The appointment underscores how the revolving door between government service and nonprofit leadership continues to draw seasoned officials from the executive branch. Haines brings operational experience and high-level relationships that few outside the government possess, offering the endowment an insider's perspective on how policy decisions get made and implemented at the highest levels.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Haines' move from the intelligence world to a think tank suggests the foreign policy establishment is keen on having proven operators shape the next generation of strategic thinking."
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