An American of Palestinian origin, Maher Al-Bitar, was appointed as director of the intelligence service in the US National Security Council.

Bitar served as general counsel to Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee and played a huge role in former president Donald Trump’s first impeachment.

He also worked as the director of Israeli Occupation-Palestinian affairs on the National Security Council under former president Barack Obama.

Additionally, Bitar worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia as well as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in the Near East in Jerusalem.

Bitar has a law degree from Georgetown University.