Dr. Thomas Mahnken

Biography

Thomas G. Mahnken is a Professor of Practice and Co-Director of the Master of Arts in Strategy, Cybersecurity, and Intelligence at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He has a distinguished career in both academia and government, previously serving as a Professor of Strategy at the Naval War College and as a member of the Congressionally-mandated National Defense Strategy Commission. His government experience includes serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy Planning from 2006 to 2009, where he was instrumental in crafting the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review and the 2008 National Defense Strategy. Mahnken has been actively involved in several significant panels including the 2014 National Defense Panel and the Commission on Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction. He has 24 years of service as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, with deployments to Iraq and Kosovo. He holds both an MA and PhD in international affairs from Johns Hopkins SAIS, and a BA degree in history and international relations from the University of Southern California, graduating with highest honors. His notable awards include the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service and the Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal. Mahnken's research interests are broad, encompassing American Defense Policy, International Relations, and the impact of Technology on Warfare, reinforced through numerous publications, including works on military strategy and U.S.-China strategic competition.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards