Mary Ellen Connell

Mary Ellen Connell is a research scientist for CNA's Center for Strategic Studies. Prior to joining CNA in 2001, Connell was a Counselor in the United States Senior Foreign Service. For the past several years she has directed the CNA "Commanders' Series: Workshops on Geopolitical Interest to the U.S. Navy" and a regional strategic analysis project supporting the Commander and Deputy Commander, Naval Forces Europe. Beginning in 2007, she was also asked to direct similar projects for the Navy Criminal Investigative Service on national security issues and for the U.S. Central Command on regional topics. Ms. Connell holds a BA degree from Smith College and an M. Phil. from the University of Kansas. She is a graduate of the U.S. National War College and a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (UK).

Expertise

• Public diplomacy
• U.S.-Europe relations
• U.S.-Africa relations
• Military engagement and cooperation

Recent Work: Security implications for the United States posed by recent political/military developments in East Africa, Turkey, and the Levant.

Previous Positions: During her diplomatic career, Connell served at U.S. embassies in Kenya, Burundi, and Denmark and at the U.S. Mission to NATO. In Washington, DC she was an advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and a member of the Secretary of State's Policy Planning Staff.

Languages: French (fluent), Italian (reading), Danish (reading)