Elena Taube Bailey

Assistant Professor

Intelligence, Counterintelligence, Information Operations, Behavioral Psychology, Strategic Communication, National Security (Middle East, East Europe, Asia)

Areas of Focus: 

Intelligence; Counterintelligence; Counterterrorism; Collective Intelligence; Information Environment- information operations, communication technologies, emerging technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, news ecosystem; Intelligence Analysis; Abrahamic Religions- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; Behavioral and Organizational Psychology; Strategic Communication- media effects, narrative, persuasion, influence, propaganda; Cyberpsychology; National Security- East Europe (Ukraine-Russia), Middle East, and Asia.

Background: 

Current Positions

Elena Taube Bailey has extensive experience in the private and public sector, including intelligence, policy, and defense, as well as, academia and nonprofit. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the National Defense University's (NDU's) College of Information and Cyberspace, where she teaches courses focusing on new media, the information environment, cyberpsychology, national security, and strategic thinking and communication. Bailey has also been an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, Master of Professional Studies in Applied Intelligence program, going on five years. Additionally, to help improve the news information environment, Bailey cofounded Glocal—the world’s leading platform for open-source News Intelligence™ that is powered by global collective intelligence and AI—and serves as the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

 

Counterintelligence and Intelligence

Prior to teaching full-time, Bailey served as a senior counterintelligence (CI) specialist at the Department of Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), where she focused on CI and worldwide cyber threat analysis. DTRA enables the DoD and the U.S. Government to prepare for and combat WMDs and improvised threats and to ensure nuclear deterrence. The agency’s legacy extends back to the Manhattan Engineering Project that was created to develop the world’s first atomic bomb during World War II. Prior to DTRA, Bailey served as a senior CI analyst at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), where she supported joint CI operations and led a program that drove intelligence integration and collaboration across the intelligence community (IC). During this time, Bailey also served as a Regional Subject Matter Expert (SME) to the DoD, Department of the Army, focusing on geographic, economic, industry, political, security, and geopolitical issues in Ukraine.

Prior to her service at ODNI, Bailey served as an Intelligence Analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) working closely with operations on counterterrorism efforts. Bailey also successfully completed a rotation with the U.S. Department of State (DoS), Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications (now the Global Engagement Center), where she focused on overt counterterrorism messaging operations. 

 

Foreign Governments

Between 2006 and 2007, Bailey provided political and media analysis, as well as, conducted public relations and strategic communication at the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles, and the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco.

 

Local Government & Politics

In 2009, Bailey served as a Legislative Deputy Assistant to Councilman Greig Smith at the Los Angeles City Hall, Council District 12, representing the San Fernando Valley. More specifically, Bailey developed and maintained relationships between the district office and the diverse constituents in District 12. She also managed public relations with local, state and federal bodies, organizations, and the LA Joint Terrorism Taskforce (JTTF)—a partnership between the FBI and other law enforcement agencies charged with countering terrorism.

In 2007, Bailey served as the Field Manager of California Region 3, for a Presidential candidate. Prior to her Field Manager role, between 2004 and 2005, Bailey served as the Presidential Campaign Coordinator in Fremont, CA, for the Republic National Committee (RNC). 

 

Personal:

Bailey resides in the Washington Metropolitan Area with her beloved husband and their two cats, dog, and 30+ pond goldfish. As a strong champion of animal welfare, Bailey co-founded and serves as the Executive Director at Wild Things Media (WTM), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. In this capacity, Bailey directs, produces, and manages films for wildlife rescue organizations- films that are informational, educational, and inspirational- to help the organizations advance their cause. WTM is also advancing the integration and collaboration of the Watch For Wildlife campaign, which is dedicated to reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions nationwide. Further, through WTM, Bailey is producing a full-length documentary titled “Food For Thought”, which investigates the treatment of farm animals at factory farms in America. Bailey is also a Board Member with the India based Wildlife SOS and the Northern Virginia based Wildlife Rescue League.

 

Courses: 

  • National Security Strategy (NSS)
  • Social Media as a Source of Information: Legal, Policy & Ethical Issues
  • Strategic Thinking and Communication (STC)
  • International Challenges in Cyberspace (CIC)

 

Education:

Ph.D. (expected May 2023), Strategic Communication with a focus in the information environment, influence, propaganda, and persuasion, George Mason University

M.A., Psychology with a focus in human behavior and media effects, Harvard University

M.B.A. with a focus in communication, strategy, and management, Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business 

M.A., Politics with a focus in International Relations and American Government, New York University

B.A. Political Science with a focus in the Middle East and East Europe, UCLA

Certificate in Intelligence Analysis, Sherman Kent School for Intelligence Analysis

Graduate Certificate in Advanced Marketing Management, Georgetown University

Graduate Certificate in Messianic Jewish Studies, Messianic Jewish Theological Institute

 

Languages:

Bailey speaks fluent English, Russian, Ukrainian; some Hebrew.