John Brennan is an American intelligence officer who served as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2013 to 2017. He was appointed by President Barack Obama and played a key role in shaping U.S. intelligence and counterterrorism policies during his tenure. Brennan previously held various positions within the CIA, including as the Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. Before his time at the CIA, Brennan worked in the intelligence community for over 25 years, focusing on issues related to terrorism and national security. He is known for his expertise in the Middle East and has been involved in significant operations, including the response to the Osama bin Laden raid.