I’ve had an unusual academic career moving back and forth between academe and public service. In trying to solve security-related problems, I’ve worked in government offices, university classrooms, and even a few dodgy corners of the world. I like the marriage of theory and practice—learning firsthand about practical problems and trying to develop rigorous ways to address them. Writing just for a handful of scholars who understand a specialized topic doesn’t interest me. I’m either ambitious or foolish enough to believe we should communicate clearly and broadly, to try to make a contribution and change the world.

I also love to bring people together to think about new ideas. Right before coming to SIS, I was distinguished service professor at George Mason University at Schar School of Policy and Government, and founding director of both the International Security master’s program and the Center for Security Policy Studies.

My degrees are from Oxford University, where I was a Marshall Scholar from Princeton University. Later I returned to Oxford to direct studies at the Changing Character of War program. In addition to George Mason, I’ve taught at Oxford University, University of Maryland’s School of Public Affairs, Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, University of Virginia, and Georgetown University. I’ve also worked at the Congressional Research Service, Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, Secretary of the Navy’s office, US Embassy in Moscow, and the US National War College.

I am happily married, have two children in their 20s, and a sheltie-collie mix rescue dog. I also am a big Nationals baseball fan.