Meet Pete Larson

Pete Larsen is a seasoned national security and foreign policy expert with a distinguished career spanning South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. As a former Director for South Asia Regional Affairs on the White House’s National Security Council, he played a pivotal role in crafting national strategies and presidential policy directives. 

A retired United States Air Force Foreign Area Officer, Pete held several highimpact positions, including South Asia Division Chief on the Joint Staff and Political-Military Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Near Eastern Affairs Bureau at the Department of State. He also commanded the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron, leading Building Partnerships missions in Africa, and served as an Attaché to Israel. 

Pete holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, an MBA from Webster University, a Master’s in Middle East Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master’s in National Security Strategy from the National War College, where he also served on the faculty. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Public Policy with a focus on emerging technologies at George Mason University. Proficient in Arabic, Hebrew, and German, Pete combines his linguistic skills with deep regional knowledge to address complex security challenges across the globe.