Taylor Hathorn is a foreign policy and national security analyst specializing in U.S. defense strategy, Iran and China policy, cybersecurity, and geopolitical risk. She serves as a National Security Fellow with the Independent Women’s Center for American Safety and Security and an Iran Policy Fellow with The Hamilton Society/Public Interest Fellowship, where her work focuses on U.S. strategy toward Iran and broader Middle East security issues.

Hathorn has more than a decade of experience spanning cybersecurity, public policy, national security, and strategic communications. Having grown up in the Middle East, she developed an early interest in global affairs and regional security dynamics that continues to shape her foreign policy analysis.

As a Gold Star sister, she is committed to policies supporting veterans and military families and frequently speaks on national security issues affecting service members and their families. Her leadership has been recognized with honors including the University of Tennessee 40 Under 40 and the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA) 40 Under 40.

Hathorn is a frequent media commentator on international affairs and security issues, with appearances on Newsmax, PBS, News Nation, NTD, and regional television affiliates, and she hosts a monthly segment on WFEA: The Independent Brief. Her writing on foreign policy and defense has appeared in The Hill, RealClearDefense, RealClearWorld, Townhall, and Evie Magazine. You can find her work on X @taylorhathorn.