Simone Rodan-Benzaquen

Simone Rodan-Benzaquen is senior envoy for Europe at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). Based in France, she leads FDD’s engagement across the European continent at a pivotal moment for transatlantic security and strategic competition. She focuses on strengthening transatlantic alignment on shared security challenges, advising on European policy dynamics, and expanding institutional networks to advance the foundation’s mission. As a geopolitical expert, she is bringing greater attention to the strategic threats posed by state and nonstate authoritarian actors, including the Iranian regime, Russia, China, and Islamist networks, and on reinforcing democratic resilience across Europe.

Prior to joining FDD, Simone gained more than two decades of leadership experience at the intersection of policy, diplomacy, and civil society. As managing director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in Europe, she oversaw operations across seven European countries and built deep working relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, civil society leaders, and media figures throughout the continent. Under her leadership, AJC Europe expanded its institutional presence and policy engagement across Brussels and key European capitals.

Earlier in her career, she advised the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working on issues central to democratic governance, human rights, and international security. She was also the founding secretary general of MedBridge and the vice president of SOS Darfur.

She writes regularly for leading European and American outlets and is a frequent commentator on geopolitics, security, and democratic stability. Simone holds degrees from King’s College London, the London School of Economics, and Sciences Po and is fluent in four languages.