Anja Manuel

Few US policymakers speak as eruditely on Asia as Anja Manuel. She previously oversaw Asia policy in the US State Department and co-founded a geopolitical intelligence firm with Condoleezza Rice and Stephen Hadley: Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC. 

Manuel was an influential voice in developing the strategy that eventually led to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD). She is a leading advocate of bringing previously non-aligned India into America’s regional alliance. 

Manuel writes on the topic in This Brave New World. It’s an optimistic blueprint for how the US can positively engage both India and China. It’s refreshingly diplomatic in an increasingly hostile and combative foreign affairs climate. Manuel also regularly writes in short form for popular media outlets like the Washington Post, New York Times, Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, The Atlantic, Fortune and Newsweek.

After leaving government, Manuel lectured at Stanford University. She taught courses on US foreign policy in Asia and technology policy. She is a frequent speaker on both subjects. As Executive Director at the Aspen Security Forum, she has recently discussed national security issues surrounding AI development. Manuel is also a highly sought after commentator for TV and radio.

Away from policy discussions, Manuel sits on two corporate boards: Ripple Labs and Overseas Shipholding Group. She has also served on various advisory boards. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Anja Manuel lives in San Francisco with her husband and two children.