Matt Zacharias

Matt Zacharias is a national security professional, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and intelligence practitioner with experience operating at the intersection of policy, defense, and strategic analysis.

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Matt launched The Frontier Security Brief in the spring of 2026 aimed at connecting national security challenges and policy to where it meets implementation in U.S. cities and towns. He brings a rare combination of operational military experience, policy exposure, and intelligence training, enabling him to translate complex geopolitical dynamics into relatable insights.

 

He has served on the staff of a U.S. Congressman in the House of Representatives, where he provided a critical link between regional leaders and national policymakers. He communicated with local leaders on pressing issues, delivered important information to senior leadership, and coordinated across federal, state, and local stakeholders in complex environments.

 

Matt has served as both an enlisted Marine and an officer. His foundation in national security and leadership was forged through his service as an enlisted infantry Marine, where he developed deep tactical proficiency in small-unit operations and learned the importance of overcoming adversity where you must either "find a way, or make one." Operating in demanding environments, he gained firsthand experience in the realities of how to execute tasks under pressure - where clarity, discipline, and adaptability directly impact outcomes. Later, he served as a Marine Officer within the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory’s Wargaming Division, where he supported senior Department of Defense leaders through structured analysis, future force design initiatives, and strategic planning efforts. He helped manage multi-organizational execution, translate strategic objectives into operational plans, and delivered insights to inform national security decision-making. His work routinely required collaboration with international partners and execution in sensitive environments, reinforcing his reputation, not just as a thinker, but also a doer as a disciplined and trusted operator.

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Matt’s analytical expertise centers on great power competition, with a particular focus on China and Russia, authoritarian decision-making, and emerging technology risk. He holds a Master of Professional Studies in Applied Intelligence from Georgetown University. His research developed a strategic intelligence framework for mapping leadership networks in China and Russia, leveraging PMESII analysis, social network analysis, and structured analytic techniques to identify vulnerabilities and inform U.S. intelligence priorities. He will also have a graduate certificate in Global Security and Competitive Statecraft from Arizona State University later in 2026.

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Matt is based out of Montana, where he and his wife, Kendra, are raising their family - encouraging them to become future leaders with strong values, confidence, entrepreneurial minds, and a heart for service.