Corps General Adriano Santini, born in Vicovaro (Rome) on 2 February 1948, served from 4 February 2010 to 20 February 2014 as Director of the External Intelligence and Security Agency (AISE).
He attended the Military Academy of Modena (1968-1970) as an Officer Cadet and, after being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Artillery, attended the School of Application in Turin. He completed his training at the Army War School in Civitavecchia and graduated in Strategic Sciences. He then took a second-level Master's at the University of Turin.
He held numerous service posts at the General Staff of the Italian Army, alternating with assignments in operational military units. From 1986 to 1989 he served as staff officer of the 2nd section of the Research and Studies Office of the Army General Staff (SME).
From 1989 to 1990 he was Commander of the 8th "Pasubio" Self-Propelled Field Artillery Group in Trieste. From 1990 to 1991 he was Head of the III Section (Artillery) of the Research and Studies Office of the Army General Staff. From 1991 to 1993 he was Head of the 1st section of the Logistics Coordination Office of the IV Department of the SME.
From 1994 to 1995 he commanded the Military District of Rome. From 1995 to 1998 he was Head of the Logistics Coordination Office of the IV Department of the SME.
Promoted to Brigadier General, he commanded the "Aosta" Mechanised Brigade of Messina from September 2001 to October 2002.
He attended training courses at the British Army General Staff (20th Staff Course) and at the United States Army War College.
He then served as Army Attaché at the Italian Embassy in London from 1998 to 2001 and as Italian Senior National Representative in Tampa, Florida, in 2003, at U.S. CENTCOM.
From June to November 2003 he commanded the national joint contingent in the framework of Operation ‘Antica Babilonia’ in Iraq.
From 2004 to 2007 he held the post of Head of the Logistics Department of the SME, taking up on 23 July 2007 the position of Deputy Chief of Staff of the Italian Army. He was military adviser to the President of the Council of Ministers from 8 August 2008 to 3 February 2010.
On 4 February 2010 he was appointed Director of the A.I.S.E., leading Italy's foreign intelligence until 20 February 2014, when he was placed on leave.
He is married with two daughters.
He held the office of President of the National Register of Intelligence Analysts from 2019 to 23 April 2021.