Ellen Nakashima

Washington, D.C.

National security reporter

Education: City University, London, MA in international journalism; University of California at Berkeley, BA in humanities

Ellen Nakashima is a national security reporter for The Washington Post. She covers intelligence and national security issues related to Great Power competition. She has written about the security aspects of the U.S.-China relationship, the west's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and classified intelligence leaks. She has been a member of three Pulitzer-prize winning teams at The Post, including in 2022 for an investigation of the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol, in 2018 for digging into Moscow’s efforts to influence the 2016 election, and in 2018 for exploring the hidden scope Nat
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Latest from Ellen Nakashima

Philippine president’s White House visit reflects sharp upturn in ties

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with Biden on Monday as the United States and the Philippines react to Chinese aggression.

May 1, 2023

Surveillance numbers drop, but critics aren’t satisfied

The numbers come amid an intensifying fight on Capitol Hill over reauthorizing the spying powers.

May 1, 2023

Buildup resumed at suspected Chinese military site in UAE, leak says

THE DISCORD LEAKS | The activity has disturbed some U.S. officials, who worry a longstanding U.S. ally is growing too close to Beijing.

April 26, 2023

Biden commits to South Korea’s security amid rising threat from North

President Biden plans to use a state visit by South Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol to launch a set of new measures aimed at publicly countering the growing nuclear threat from North Korea.

April 26, 2023

China readies supersonic spy drone unit, leaked document says

China’s cutting-edge drone could give it a surveillance advantage during a possible military confrontation over Taiwan.

April 18, 2023

Taiwan highly vulnerable to Chinese air attack, leaked documents show

The U.S. military assessments address the precariousness of Taiwan’s air defenses, reduced warning time for an attack and how China might use space assets.

April 15, 2023

Leak raises fresh questions about Pentagon’s internal security

THE DISCORD LEAKS | Following the Chelsea Manning leak, the Pentagon instituted a range of internal security measures. They don't appear to have worked.

April 14, 2023

Leaked secret documents detail up to four additional Chinese spy balloons

THE DISCORD LEAKS | One balloon flew over a U.S. carrier strike group in the Pacific, and another circumnavigated the globe with sophisticated surveillance technology.

April 14, 2023

Allies troubled by document leak, but need U.S. spying capabilities

THE DISCORD LEAKS | Allies expressed dismay following a massive intelligence leak, but acknowledge they are dependent on the vast surveillance reach of the U.S.

April 14, 2023

Leaked Pentagon documents claim that hackers breached a Canadian gas network. Here’s what to know.

The documents said a hacker from a group called Zarya claimed responsibility.

April 11, 2023