Ali Soufan

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Records

Ali Soufan's career is marked by a unique combination of frontline bravery and intellectual rigor. He is one of the few people who can claim to have interrogated senior al-Qaeda operatives and then written authoritative accounts of those experiences. His testimony against torture has influenced policy debates and helped shape public opinion. The Kennedy Award and the Carnegie Great Immigrant Award are fitting tributes to a man who has dedicated his life to protecting his adopted country.

AwardsAli Soufan has received recognition for his contributions to national security. In 2018, he was honored with the Kennedy Award, which acknowledges outstanding service in the field of intelligence. In 2023, he received the Carnegie Corporation's Great Immigrant Award, celebrating his achievements as a naturalized citizen who has made significant contributions to American society.

Honours & Distinctions

Kennedy Award

The Kennedy Foundation·2018

Recognizes outstanding contributions to national security.

Great Immigrant Award

Carnegie Corporation of New York·2023

Honors naturalized citizens who have made significant contributions to American society.

Records & Feats

First FBI agent to interrogate a senior al-Qaeda operative after 9/11

Career Milestone·2001

Soufan was among the first to question high-value detainees, using rapport-building techniques that proved effective.