Miguel Ángel Ballesteros facts for kids
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Miguel Ángel Ballesteros
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| 3rd Director of the Homeland Security Department | |
| In office 19 June 2018 – 29 November 2023 |
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| Monarch | Felipe VI |
| Prime Minister | Pedro Sánchez |
| Preceded by | Cristina Ysasi-Ysasmendi Pemán |
| Succeeded by | Loreto Gutiérrez Hurtado |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Miguel Ángel Ballesteros Martín
1953 Segovia, Spain |
| Education | General Military Academy University of Valencia Pontifical University of Salamanca |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Spain |
| Branch/service | Spanish Army |
| Years of service | 1972–2023 |
| Rank | Brigadier general |
Miguel Ángel Ballesteros, born in 1953, is a retired officer from the Spanish Army. He is known for being an expert in geopolitics (how geography and politics affect countries), security plans, and preventing terrorism. From June 2018 to November 2023, he was the director of Spain's Homeland Security Department. This department works within the Prime Minister's Office to keep the country safe.
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Miguel Ballesteros's Early Life and Military Career
Miguel Ángel Ballesteros was born in Segovia, Spain, in 1953. In 1972, he joined the General Military Academy. He chose to specialize in Artillery, a branch of the army that uses large guns. The Artillery academy is also in his hometown of Segovia.
After finishing his studies, he became a Lieutenant of Artillery in 1976. He worked in various roles within the Artillery branch and the General Staff. One important job was at the Operational Military Research Center. This center is part of the Ministry of Defence.
Education and Advanced Studies
Ballesteros has a degree in Operational Research from the University of Valencia, which he earned in 1979. He also completed a diploma in General Staff studies in 1991. He took courses on Strategy and the USSR in World Policy between 1991 and 1992.
Later, he earned a PhD from the Pontifical University of Salamanca. His special research project was about how to create a national security strategy. This work was so good that he received a special award in 2015.
Expert in Geopolitics and Terrorism Prevention
Miguel Ángel Ballesteros is a specialist in geopolitics. This field looks at how geography and politics influence countries and their relationships. He also specializes in preventing terrorism and jihadism.
From 1995 to 2012, he was a professor at the Pontifical University of Salamanca. Since 2015, he has taught at the Complutense University of Madrid. He has also led summer courses at several other universities. He helps teach a master's program on terrorism prevention at the Rey Juan Carlos University.
Leadership Roles in Defense
Ballesteros was the first person to lead the "Spanish Helios Main Center." This center was part of the HELIOS satellite program. This program involved French, Italian, and Spanish satellites used for reconnaissance (gathering information).
From 2002 to 2008, he was the Head of Strategy and International Relations. This role was at the College of the Armed Forces (ESFAS). This college is part of the Higher Center for Defense Studies (CESEDEN).
In 2009, he became the General Director of the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies (IEEE). As an expert in security and jihadism, he has written many articles. He also often shares his knowledge with different news organizations.
Director of Homeland Security
On June 19, 2018, Miguel Ángel Ballesteros was chosen for an important role. He became the third Director of the Homeland Security Department. This department advises the Cabinet Office in Spain. He was also the first director who was not also the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Prime Minister's Office. He retired from this position in late 2023.
See also
In Spanish: Miguel Ángel Ballesteros Martín para niños
