Paul Shaya
Geopolitical Risk Advisor | CEO, Cedar Rivers Advisory | Senior Analytic Advisor at Valar | Adjunct Professor (GWU) | Middle East & Africa Specialist
- Role
- Senior Analytic Advisor at Valar
- Location
- Washington, DC, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Paul Shaya
With 28 years of dedicated service in the U.S. government, I am a senior intelligence professional and Middle East specialist with deep expertise in national security, regional geopolitics, economics, and counterterrorism. A native Arabic speaker with extensive experience across the Middle East and Africa, I have worked at the intersection of diplomacy, intelligence analysis, and policy advising to help decision-makers understand complex geopolitical environments and navigate high-stakes challenges.My career has included leadership roles at the CIA and the U.S. Department of State, where I led analytic teams, advised senior policymakers, and developed innovative approaches to analyzing political, economic, and security developments. I have served in multiple countries across the region and bring first-hand knowledge of the political, cultural, and security dynamics shaping today’s Middle East and Africa.I currently serve as Senior Analytic Advisor at Valar, where I help interpret geopolitical developments and strengthen analytic capabilities. I also serve as an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University. As CEO of Cedar Rivers Advisory, I work with partners and clients to:• Assess geopolitical risk and make sense of fast-moving events in the Middle East and Africa• Provide analytic and editorial support, helping organizations produce clear, rigorous analysis• Develop training and capacity building in analytic thinking, intelligence methods, writing, and regional expertise• Provide Arabic-English translation and interpretation for complex political, economic, and security topicsI am particularly interested in projects that bridge government, academia, and the private sector to improve how organizations analyze and respond to global geopolitical challenges.
Experience
Senior Analytic Advisor
Jan 2026 — Present · Washington, DC, US
Education
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science - BS, Finance, General
The George Washington University
Master of Arts - MA, International Relations and Affairs
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science - BS, Finance
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