David Ignatius is a distinguished American journalist and novelist, currently serving as an associate editor and columnist for The Washington Post. His career began after graduating magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1973, followed by a Frank Knox Fellowship at King’s College, Cambridge. Ignatius honed his journalistic skills at Washington Monthly before joining The Wall Street Journal, where he spent a decade covering significant topics including the steel industry and the CIA, ultimately becoming the paper’s chief diplomatic correspondent. His reporting earned him the Edward Weintal Prize for diplomatic reporting in 1985.

In 1986, Ignatius transitioned to The Washington Post, where he held various editorial roles, including editor of the “Outlook” section and foreign editor. His twice-weekly column on global politics has garnered international acclaim, winning the Gerald Loeb Award for Commentary in 2000 and the Edward Weintal Prize in 2004. Ignatius’s insightful analysis has led him to interview prominent figures, including Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, and his work has been syndicated worldwide, enhancing his reputation as a leading voice in international affairs.

As a novelist, Ignatius has authored eleven suspense and espionage novels, with his notable work, Body of Lies, adapted into a film by Ridley Scott. His novels often reflect his extensive knowledge of foreign affairs and intelligence operations, with several adaptations in the pipeline, including The Increment and The Director. His literary contributions have solidified his status as a prominent figure in contemporary fiction.

In addition to his writing, Ignatius has contributed to academia as an adjunct lecturer at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and served as a Senior Fellow at the Future of Diplomacy Program. His commitment to journalism and literature has earned him numerous accolades, including a George Polk Award for his coverage of the Jamal Khashoggi murder, showcasing his dedication to impactful storytelling and insightful analysis in the realm of global politics.