Ashley Tellis, a prominent Indian-American strategic affairs expert and former US government adviser, has been charged with unlawfully retaining classified national defense information. Tellis, 64, was arrested in October 2025 and is facing 11 counts under the Espionage Act. 

Tellis, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, is accused of removing thousands of classified documents from a government facility, including materials related to Air Force tactics and techniques.

He allegedly retained over 1,000 pages of top-secret and secret documents at his residence, which included information on Chinese nuclear capabilities, foreign military forces, and vulnerabilities of a US military facility . 

If convicted, Tellis faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and additional penalties. He remains out on bond and is represented by retained counsel. Tellis played a key role in shaping the landmark US-India civil nuclear agreement during the George W. Bush administration.

He has been a respected voice in Washington's foreign policy establishment, specializing in international security, defense, and Asian strategic issues.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)