Matthew H. Murray

Matthew Murray (LinkedIn) is a leading policy expert and practitioner at the intersection of international security, law, and economics. He has worked as a senior U.S. government official, human rights lawyer, business executive in the energy and extractive industries, and NGO founder. Mr. Murray’s experience includes serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary Commerce for Europe, the Middle East and Africa for President Obama and National Security Assistant for Senator Edward Kennedy. He graduated from Columbia University with and J.D. and MIA in 1988.

Mr. Murray specializes in strengthening U.S. economic security and building institutions to support good governance and the rule of law in high-risk countries in Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. This includes experience working with heads of state, including Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ashraf Ghani, Barack Obama, Joseph Biden and others. Currently, Mr. Murray is an Adjunct Professor at the Columbia University School of International & Public Affairs and Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service. 

Mr. Murray is often quoted as an expert on Ukraine in The New York Times and The Washington Post. Mr. Murray’s recent op-eds include:

• The Washington Times, August 13, 2025, President Trump Should Tell President Putin: “I Will Not Discuss Root Causes” 
• Lemonde, June 3, 2025, Under Putin Russia Has Failed to Democratize and Modernize Its Economy
• USA Today, May 15, 2025, Trump Needs to Push Putin to End War in Ukraine Now (with General Wesley Clark)