Ryan Mauro is an investigative researcher at the Capital Research Center where he monitors extremist groups and foreign threats.
Mauro has been an adjunct professor for Regent University since 2011, teaching graduate and undergraduate classes on U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East and homeland security. He was also an adjunct professor for Liberty University for 10 years where he taught courses on terrorism and political science.
He has monitored extremist threats to law enforcement on all levels for over 22 years. Based on ironclad evidence, he hasidentified and reported thousands of potential terrorists and criminal extremists interested in harming others.
Mauro has made over 2,000 media appearances on both “right-wing” and “left-wing” media outlets, including frequent segments on Fox News Channel and Arab television, and has authored over 1,500 published articles. He is an official Newsmax TV contributor.
He is a member of the CLARITy Coalition, “a global coalition founded by Muslims, ex-Muslims, academics, scholars, authors, and activists who stand for peace, democracy, liberty, and secular governance” with a special focus on combating Islamist extremism. He is also a fellow of the Arabian Peninsula Institute.
Mauro previously served as a national security analyst and Director of Intelligence for Clarion Project, an organization originally involved in educational filmmaking that he transformed into an influential think-tank and intelligence-gathering operation. His work triggereda massive terrorism-financing investigation by three agencies.
He conceived of, oversaw the construction of, and led its Clarion Intelligence Network team of analysts and confidential sources. His team produced over 1,000 evidence reports to law enforcement about suspects of Islamist, “far-left,” and “far-right” backgrounds, resulting in the thwarting of many plots to engage in harm and criminality.
In 2021, Mauro formed the volunteer group Afghan Liberty Project in response to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and subsequent takeover by the Taliban. The Project assisted approximately 1,500 Afghans who were at risk, such as those who fought alongside U.S. forces, Christians and human rights activists, with evacuations, humanitarian aid, emergency rescue operations, , and, until the public moved on and funding dried up, a network of safehouses.
Mauro has a Master’s in Political Science, Bachelor’s in Intelligence Studies and Graduate Certificate in Middle East Studies from American Military University. He also has an Islamic Studies Certificate from Islamic Online University, an extremist school, so he could learn the ideology directly.
He was originally hired as a geopolitical and international security analyst at age 16 in 2002. His work led to him being signed by the William Morris Agency in Hollywood until 2009.
He was selected as a speaker for the International Intelligence Summit in 2005 and 2006, billed as the most prestigious intelligence conference in the U.S., featured alongside former CIA directors, senior military leaders and top subject matter experts.
He has been a guest instructor for multiple law enforcement training conferences, the 2016 Homeland Security Professionals Conference, the Defense Department, the Middle East Forum, Coptic Solidarity, and Brookdale Community College’s Center for World War Two Studies and Conflict Resolution.
Mauro’s work has been referenced on the floor of the House of Representatives and in testimony to the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
His other activism includes arranging the sponsorship of the launching of a balloon into North Korea with prohibited literature, media and films in 2016 with the Human Rights Foundation. He also was a volunteer researcher for the Reform Party of Syria., a U.S.-based group opposed to the Assad dictatorship.
Separately, Mauro is the creator of the viral documentary, Finding the Mountain of Moses: The Real Mount Sinai in Saudi Arabia, that has almost 10 million views in 42 languages, has aired on Newsmax TV and was praised by Glenn Beck as “a gamechanger for mankind.”
Mauro is also President of the Doubting Thomas Research Foundation, which researches Biblical history, and leads tours to Saudi Arabia to visit the possible Biblical sites shown in his film. In 2019, he co-led the first officially sanctioned Christian tour to those possible Biblical sites in history.
His research trips have also brought him to Israel, the disputed Palestinian-majority areas, Iraq, Kurdistan, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey.
“[One of] the best and brightest national security experts.”
Sean Hannity on “Hannity,” FOX News Channel
“While Ryan and I often disagree in our basic world views when he comes on my show, I have always respected his intellect and the quality of his research.”
Thom Hartmann, #1 progressive talk show host in America.
“When Ryan Mauro speaks about Islamism, jihadi violence, or how to respond to them, I listen.”
Dr. Daniel Pipes, President of the Middle East Forum
“With my experience as a former double-agent inside Al-Qaeda for the CIA and British and Danish intelligence, I can tell you that Ryan Mauro is at the level of the many terrorism experts and intelligence personnel I’ve met. He hits the nail on the head and has the guts to speak frankly.”
Morten Storm, former jihadist who helped lead the CIA to Anwar al-Awlaki; author of the best-selling “Agent Storm: My Life Inside Al-Qaeda.”
“He knows foreign affairs like I know awkward stares.”
Greg Gutfeld on “Red Eye,” FOX News Channel
“Ryan Mauro is a leading counter-terrorism expert who not only understands the threat of radical Islamists, but has also dedicated a good portion of his work to highlighting the work of anti-Islamist Muslims. His focus on our work–the work of reformist Muslims-has earned the respect of many of us who are working from within the Muslim world to defeat the ideology of Islamism.”
Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, President of the American-Islamic Forum for Democracy and author of “A Battle for the Soul of Islam: An American Muslim Patriot’s Fight to Save His Faith.”
“Ryan Mauro is a truly independent, non-partisan resource for research and analysis with the intellectual firepower of a nuclear arsenal. No political spin. He is a favorite guest of my audience who appreciate his fairness and ability to connect with them on a personal level.”
Crane Durham, host of “Nothing but Truth”
“The most consistently enriching guest in my rolodex. A one-man intelligence shop. He ought to be Secretary of State.”
Barry Farber, Talkers Magazine’s 9th greatest talk host of all time.
“Defeating Islamism must be a priority for progressives like myself and it requires supporting liberal Muslims and non-Muslims against Islamist extremism and anti-Muslim extremism.
Few have contributed as much to this cause as Ryan Mauro, who has shown his skill in working across political and religious aisles. Principled progressives are obliged to appreciate his work.”
Anila Ali, Democratic Party delegate for Hillary Clinton (2016), President of the American Muslim Women’s Empowerment Council and member of President Obama’s White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism.
“I think people sense what’s happening but they don’t have anything comparable to the knowledge base that you have assembled here on this threat in our country…The country owes you a real expression of thanks.”
Lou Dobbs, host of “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” FOX Business Network
“The precocious teenager I once knew is now an authoritative force in the field of counterterrorism and one of the most knowledgeable connoisseurs of Islamic terrorism and a skilled observer of Russian geopolitical and ideological strategy.
Ryan Mauro has proven to be among the very few analysts to truly understand the Kremlin’s disinformation operations now targeting the West’s politics, society and pro-American Christianity, long before it became a hot-button issue. Such an understanding of the KGB ‘science’ of disinformation allows one to transform night into day.”
Lt. Gen. Ion Mihai Pacepa, the highest Soviet Bloc intelligence officer to defect to the West
“For the past 10 years, I have carefully followed Ryan Mauro’s superb scholarship. In particular, I found his analysis of both Middle East affairs and of Muslim Brotherhood front groups not only remarkably insightful but also dependably accurate and consistently informative.
In my former capacity as a Founding Member of the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (DHS-CBP), with a recognized subject matter expertise in Jihad and the Strategy and Tactics of the Global Islamic Movement (based on Quranic Arabic), I have always considered Ryan Mauro to be a gifted colleague with few equals, whether in the civilian world or within the law enforcement/intelligence community.
On many occasions, I referred to his articles for insight and perspective, while developing a series of complex, long-term counter-terrorism cases, which often included hundreds of individuals and/or affiliated organizations.
I can’t overstate how many times I was encouraged that there were younger specialists like Ryan Mauro, who were out there, doing their own crucial part to help protect our country from threats, both foreign and domestic.”
Philip Haney, Homeland Security “whistleblower” who was commended for identifying 300 possible terrorist suspects.
“Ryan Mauro spoke at the International Intelligence Summit I led in 2006 and 2007, alongside former directors of intelligence agencies and top experts in the field when he was less than 20 years old. My executive-director introduced him as being known as the ‘Doogie Howser of the national security and intelligence community.’
After his presentation, I told the audience it was the best presentation I’ve seen in the three years of holding the event. As a life-long Democrat and Justice Department prosecutor, I especially appreciated his non-partisan analysis and ability to see value in different perspectives. I admire his integrity and trustworthiness.
Since then I have followed his career with interest and enthusiasm. His ability to absorb, analyze and communicate is most unusual. In twenty years people might be calling him the Walter Cronkite of the intelligence community.”
John Loftus, President of the Intelligence Summit and former Justice Dept. prosecutor who held some of the highest security clearances in the world.
“As a former Naval Officer with a subspecialty in intelligence, it was immediately apparent when I met Ryan that he was a prodigy in the field of geopolitics, intelligence, investigation and analysis.
He was obviously self-educated, widely-read, conversant and a walking encyclopedia on everything from jihad to Russia to North Korea. I felt like I was talking to a university professor, not a high school student.
His work with me and my colleagues had a direct impact on national security. After I’d share his work with professionals in law enforcement, intelligence and the military, they’d be blown away when I told them they were being schooled by a 16-year old.”
Joseph Tenaglia, CDR, USN (Ret) and former Navy Special Operations Officer
“Delusional…Scaremonger! Spread hate somewhere else.”
Tweet from the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in response to Mauro’s research into its extremism
“Asshole.”
Tweet from a member of the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL)
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