Michael Jacobson

Michael Jacobson is a senior fellow in The Washington Institute's Stein Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.

Biography

Michael Jacobson is a senior fellow in The Washington Institute's Stein Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. His areas of focus include sanctions and financial measures to combat national security threats, as well as other issues related to counterterrorism, national security law, and intelligence reform. From September 2004 to June 2005, he worked as a Soref fellow at the Institute, authoring the monograph The West at War: U.S. and European Counterterrorism Efforts, Post-September 11.

Mr. Jacobson rejoins the Institute from the Treasury Department, where he served as a senior advisor in the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) from June 2005 to March 2007. In that capacity, he fulfilled a wide range of responsibilities, including involvement in the office's strategic planning, priorities, and budget. He was also a liaison to TFI's congressional oversight committees, to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and to the National Counterterrorism Center.

Previously, he served as counsel on the 9-11 Commission, where he was assigned to two teams: one that focused on domestic intelligence policy issues, and another investigating the September 11 plot. In addition to his work with the commission, he served as counsel with the Congressional September 11 investigation, participating in the team that assessed the FBI's performance.

Mr. Jacobson also worked for the FBI for more than five years, first as an intelligence analyst, then as assistant general counsel in the Office of the General Counsel. He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Brandeis University, a master's degree in international relations from Tufts University, and a law degree from Boston College Law School.

Expertise: Terrorism, sanctions, national security, intelligence

Current Research: The financing of Middle Eastern terrorism and proliferation; sanctions regimes directed toward Iran, Syria, and Sudan