Quick Info
| Profession | Diplomat, Author |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 29/03/1961 |
| Age | 65 years |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, India |
Latest News about Ashley Tellis
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace ended its affiliation with Ashley J. Tellis in November 2025 following the classified documents investigation and arrest. Tellis had held the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and served as a senior fellow at the institution.
Ashley J. Tellis, a 64-year-old Indian-origin US defense expert and senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, was arrested on charges of unlawfully retaining over 1,000 pages of classified documents marked 'Top Secret' and 'Secret' at his home in Vienna, Virginia. The FBI found the documents in filing cabinets and trash bags, with evidence showing he repeatedly printed sensitive materials on US military capabilities while serving as an unpaid adviser at the State Department and contractor at the Department of Defense's Office of Net Assessment. If convicted under 18 US Code 793(e) of the Espionage Act, Tellis faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Do you like Ashley Tellis?
You can vote only once.
Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Ashley J. Tellis |
|---|---|
| Religion | Christianity |
| Food Habit | Non-vegetarian |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 5' 7" (170 cm) |
|---|---|
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Grey |
Educational Qualification(s)
| Degrees |
|
|---|
Career
| Summary | Ashley Tellis is an accomplished diplomat and author known for his expertise in international relations and security policy. He began his career at the RAND Corporation as a senior policy analyst and lecturer at the RAND Graduate School, focusing on South Asian security and nuclear deterrence. He served as a senior adviser to the U.S. ambassador at the Embassy of the United States in New Delhi and was commissioned into the U.S. Foreign Service. He served on the U.S. National Security Council staff as special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia. He served as a senior adviser to the undersecretary of state for political affairs during the negotiation of the US-India civil nuclear agreement, which marked a pivotal moment in U.S.-India relations. His publications, including 'India's Emerging Nuclear Posture: Between Recessed Deterrent and Ready Arsenal' and 'Strategic Asia: Reshaping Economic Interdependence in the Indo-Pacific,' reflect his insightful perspectives on geopolitical strategies and nuclear policy. He held the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and was a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace until November 2025. The Carnegie Endowment ended its affiliation with Tellis in November 2025 following classified documents allegations. |
|---|
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Ashley Tellis moved to the U.S. for his PhD after completing his postgraduate education in Mumbai. | |
| 2. He published his PhD research, titled 'Drive to Domination,' in 1994. | |
| 3. He has worked as a senior policy analyst and lecturer at the RAND Graduate School. | |
| 4. In the George W. Bush administration, he held the position of senior director for strategic planning for Southwest Asia. | |
| 5. Tellis advocated for a strong U.S.-India partnership based on shared interests in defense and nuclear strategy. | |
| 6. He has been recognized for his clear and impactful academic contributions, especially concerning Indian strategic affairs. | |
| 7. He served as a senior adviser to the undersecretary of state for political affairs during the negotiation of the civil nuclear agreement with India. | |
| 8. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the United States Naval Institute, and the Navy League of the United States. | |
| 9. He also served as a contractor with the Department of Defense's Office of Net Assessment. |