Michael Jacobson is a senior fellow in The Washington Institute's Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. Prior to rejoining the Institute, Mr. Jacobson served in the State Department's Counterterrorism Bureau from 2010-2025. Most recently, he served as the director of Strategy, Plans and Initiatives, where he played a key role in the development of the Bureau's priorities and goals and in ensuring that all of its activities were appropriately aligned with these overarching objectives. Mr. Jacobson also developed and led global initiatives to counter Iran-linked terrorism, including the creation and operation of two standing international forums dedicated to these issues and in the long running State-led diplomatic campaign to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Mr. Jacobson also helped lead and oversee the Bureau's foreign assistance strategic planning for its $300-plus million annual budget, determining how its capacity building efforts should most effectively support and advance the U.S. Government's counterterrorism mission. Additionally, in this role, Mr. Jacobson oversaw the Bureau's congressional affairs outreach and engagement.
Mr. Jacobson previously served at the Treasury Department, working 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 was at the Institute for two stints as well, working as a Soref Fellow in 2004-2005 and as a senior fellow from 2007-2010. While at the Institute, Mr. Jacobson authored the monograph The West at War: U.S. and European Counterterrorism Efforts Post-September 11, along with op-eds and other policy pieces in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, LA Times, and several academic journals.
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.
