Tellis discussed US-Pak, Iran with China officials

Shock and disbelief spread in Washington DC’s policy circles on Tuesday after the US government accused foreign policy expert Ashley Tellis of unlawfully holding classified national security documents.

- Shashank Mattoo

Ashley Tellis

Law enforcement authorities stated that Tellis, who has been arrested, repeatedly met Chinese officials over the last four years and could face a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

“We are aware of the allegations against Tellis. He is now on administrative leave, including from his role as Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs,” said Katelynn Vogt, vice president for communications, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

“When I first saw the news, I thought that it just couldn't be right. When I told my bosses about it, some of whom know Tellis, they didn’t believe it either. It was only after I showed them an article that they believed it and they looked really disappointed,” one foreign policy analyst told HT on condition of anonymity.