Sir Simon Gass has had a long career as a British diplomat and national security expert. While in the Foreign Office, his appointments included Ambassador to Greece (2004-2009), Ambassador to Iran (2009-2011) and NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative to Afghanistan (2011-12). As the Foreign Office’s Political Director (2013-2016) Simon led policy on the Middle East, Russia, Africa, South and Central Asia, the United Nations and other international institutions. During this period, he led the UK team at the prolonged E3+3 negotiations which resulted in the Iran Nuclear Agreement in July 2016. After leaving the Foreign Office, Simon became Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies in 2018. In February 2019 Simon was appointed Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee and Adviser on Intelligence to successive British Prime Ministers. During that period, he was responsible for providing the Prime Minister and National Security Council with intelligence-led analysis and assessments on the full range of issues and events affecting the UK’s national security policy. Simon left government service in July 2023.

Research Interests:

• Geopolitics and Great Power Competition