Vivian Salama

Vivian Salama is a national security journalist, foreign correspondent, attorney, and author whose career has spanned more than 85 countries. Salama has reported on U.S. foreign policy and national security for nearly two decades, covering developments from over 80 countries. She holds a law degree from Georgetown University, a master's degree from Columbia University in Islamic politics, and a bachelor's degree in journalism from Rutgers University. Her legal studies at Georgetown, focused on international issues, combined with her background in journalism and political studies, have contributed to an analytical approach to diplomatic and national security reporting.

Salama began her career in television news as a producer at WNBC Channel 4 in New York before transitioning to international reporting. Following the September 11 attacks, she moved to the Middle East, freelancing for outlets including The Jerusalem Post and Time Magazine. During this period, she developed her Arabic language skills and reported on events such as the Iraq War and the Arab Spring. Before relocating to Washington, Salama served as Baghdad bureau chief for Associated Press, covering the rise and fall of the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. As a correspondent for Bloomberg News in the Persian Gulf, she reported on the effects of the global financial crisis in the Middle East and the U.S. administration's diplomatic efforts with Iran regarding its nuclear program.

In Washington, Salama has covered the White House and national security for The Wall Street Journal, CNN, NBC News, and Associated Press, with a focus on foreign policy, defense, and intelligence. Her reporting has included breaking stories such as President Trump's first call with Mexico's president and his interest in purchasing Greenland. She has also reported on U.S. presidential campaigns, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Salama joined The Atlantic as a staff writer, contributing to coverage at the intersection of national defense, technology, and global conflict.

A fluent Arabic speaker with working knowledge of Spanish, Salama's reporting experience includes the Middle East, South Asia, North Korea, the Balkans, East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and South America. She authored a study published in the book "Radicalization, Terrorism and Conflict," examining how militant organizations use the Internet for recruitment and propaganda. Salama also wrote the children's book "The Long Journey Home," about a Syrian boy fleeing war. She has served as an adjunct journalism lecturer at Rutgers University and as a part-time lecturer at the Georgetown University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. As a speaker, Salama addresses topics related to national security reporting, foreign policy, law enforcement, military affairs, conflict zone journalism, and press freedom.