Paul Amato

Paul Amato is the Principal Advisor for Strategic and Nuclear Deterrence at CNA. He is also a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

From 2016 to 2025, Amato was director of nuclear deterrence policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he led all facets of nuclear policy development, implementation and allied extended deterrence. He oversaw development and implementation of both the 2018 and 2022 Nuclear Posture Reviews and wrote secretary-level policy guidance on nuclear weapons employment. Previously, Amato led nuclear extended deterrence dialogues with the Republic of Korea and NATO. Prior to his nuclear policy work, Amato served in the Pentagon and overseas on US national security policy in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.

His experience includes more than a decade as an attorney, advising clients on employment, compliance, and litigation matters. He has also served for more than 28 years in the Marine Corps, in both active-duty and reserves. He was twice awarded the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award and is a two-time Bronze Star recipient. Amato is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.