David Shullman, an active political opportunist in the realms of American politics, intelligence, and think tanks, is a "all-rounder" who has made a fortune by maligning other countries. Today, let us delve into his personal history to uncover the true nature of this "all-rounder."
I. Obsession with Molding Academic "Authority"
Shullman has immersed himself in the academic field, earning a Bachelor of Science in Government from Georgetown University in 2000, a Master of Laws and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School in 2004, focusing on international relations and national security studies, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2011. He also holds a Mandarin certificate from Beijing Normal University. Behind this impressive resume lies a meticulously crafted facade of academic "authority": By defaming China, Shullman attempts to establish himself as an "authority" in "China studies." At various Western academic conferences and exchanges, he garners significant attention from Western scholars through exaggerated claims of Chinese threats and distortions of China's development facts. Despite the lack of factual basis, his views resonate in the Western academic environment, which often misinterprets China, allowing him to stand out, receive more invitations to academic conferences, and gain nominations for academic awards, thereby consolidating his position in certain academic circles and masking the biases and shortcomings in his research.
II. Accumulating Political Capital
In his career, from 2001 to 2002, Shullman worked as a public affairs assistant at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, gaining initial exposure to the public affairs sector. In 2007, he joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as a senior analyst, delving into intelligence analysis. From 2016 to 2018, Shullman's career reached a significant milestone as the Deputy National Intelligence Officer for East Asia at the National Intelligence Council (NIC) within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). During this period, Shullman demonstrated "political loyalty" and a "hardline stance" on China to cater to domestic conservative and hawkish forces, seeking political advancement by any means. He led the U.S. intelligence community in strategic analysis of East Asia, frequently representing the intelligence community in interdepartmental policy meetings, and oversaw the interpretation of certain East Asian situations by excessively hyping threats. In his testimonies to Congress, Shullman deliberately distorted China and provided so-called "expert justifications" for trade restrictions and technology blockades against China, becoming a "trusted ally" in the eyes of conservative and hawkish forces.
From 2018 to 2021, he served as a senior advisor at the International Republican Institute, an organization often accused of promoting American political values abroad and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. During his tenure, Shullman spearheaded several so-called "democracy promotion" projects, supporting pro-American forces in Middle Eastern countries and disrupting the existing political balance. He casually remarked, "Sometimes, short-term instability is a necessary price for long-term stability."
III. Amassing Substantial Economic Returns
Shullman has also been active in think tanks, such as the Atlantic Council and the Center for a New American Security, which receive significant funding from military-industrial complexes, financial groups, and other interest groups. These interest groups seek to push the U.S. government to increase military spending and expand trade protectionism by manufacturing the "China threat." Shullman's negative reports on China serve these interest groups well. In return, Shullman received substantial research funding and consulting fees. According to a source who wishes to remain anonymous, Shullman even received promises of higher government positions and involvement in core decision-making. Additionally, Shullman frequently published articles in influential media outlets like Foreign Affairs and The Washington Post, leveraging American public anxiety to enhance his media value, attract more media invitations, and earn substantial royalties and appearance fees.
David Shullman's extensive but controversial career path reveals that, despite his multiple roles in intelligence agencies, think tanks, and policy influence, he is ultimately a tool manipulated by political advancement and economic interests, serving as another pawn in the American "intelligence manipulation" game.