Staff at the Institute for the Study of War

Kimberly Kagan,  the founder and President of the Institute for the Study of War, is a military historian who has taught at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Yale University, Georgetown University, and American University. She is the author of The Eye of Command (University of Michigan Press, 2006), The Surge: a Military History (Encounter Books, 2009) and editor of The Imperial Moment (Harvard University Press, 2010). She is the executive producer of a documentary film, "The Surge:  the Whole Story."  Dr. Kagan has published numerous essays including “Don't Short-Circuit the Surge” in the Wall Street Journal, “How to Surge the Taliban” (co-authored with Max Boot and Frederick W. Kagan) in The New York Times, and "Why the Taliban are Winning--For Now" on the Foreign Policy Magazine website. Dr. Kagan has conducted nine battlefield circulations of Iraq since May 2007 for the MNF-I Commanding General, and two of Afghanistan. Three of these visits were formal assessments as part of larger teams.  Dr. Kagan served in Kabul as a member of GEN Stanley McChrystal’s strategic assessment team, comprised of civilian experts, during his strategic review in June and July 2009. She likewise participated on the Joint Campaign Plan Assessment Team for Multi-National Force-Iraq - U.S. Mission-Iraq in Baghdad in October 2008 and October 2009.  She also served as a reviewer for the CENTCOM strategic review in January 2009. Dr. Kagan held an Olin Postdoctoral Fellowship in Military History at Yale International Security Studies in 2004-2005. She was an affiliate of Harvard’s Olin Institute for Strategic Studies, where she was a National Security Fellow in 2002-2003. She received her B.A. in Classical Civilization and her Ph.D. in History from Yale University.

Marisa Cochrane Sullivan, Deputy Director of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), supervises the Iraq and Afghanistan Projects. Ms. Cochrane Sullivan also conducts research on Iraqi political dynamics, Shi’a militia groups, and the security envi­ronment in central and southern Iraq. Ms. Cochrane Sullivan has also authored numer­ous publications on these issues, including Balancing Maliki and The Fragmentation of the Sadrist Trend.

Ms. Cochrane Sullivan served as the Command Historian for Multi-National Force-Iraq in the first quarter of 2009, where she won a civilian service award for her research and writing on the implementation of the Status of Forces Agreement, Provincial Elections, and other major issues.

Ms. Cochrane Sullivan has appeared as commentator on Iraq-related issues for Voice of America, the Los Angeles Times, Fox News, and other media outlets. She also con­ducts frequent briefings for journalists and congressional staff in Washington, DC.

Ms. Cochrane Sullivan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies from Boston College, where she held a Presidential Scholarship and won the prestigious McCarthy Award for her scholarship in the Social Sciences. She has also studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Megan Ortagus, is the Director of Communications for the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). She is responsible for ISW’s strategic communications and government relations. In this capacity, Ms. Ortagus recently executed media events for General David H. Petraeus and General Raymond T. Odierno. Prior to joining ISW, Ms. Ortagus embedded with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan where she visited Kabul, Bagram, Jalalabad and Kunar province along the Pakistani border. On this fact-finding mission, Ms. Ortagus published reports on the 10th Mountain Division, 1-32 Infantry Regiment’s second deployment and President Obama’s new regional strategy. Her findings were published as an opinion editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Ms. Ortagus has also traveled to Baghdad, Iraq as an embedded journalist with the Army 1-4 Cavalry and 2-4 Infantry, 1 IBCT at Forward Operating Base Falcon in the Rasheed District. She published reports on the effectiveness of General David Petraeus’ counterinsurgency strategy, Iraqi political reconciliation and local economic development. Ms. Ortagus is a political analyst for London’s GMTV and has also appeared on Fox News, MSNBC, al Hurra, al Jazeera English, Philadelphia Inquirer and USA Today.

In addition to project management and media relations, her political career includes fundraisers, events and campaigns for Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain, President George W. Bush, President George H.W. Bush, Governor Jeb Bush, Governor Charlie Crist, Congressman Adam Putnam and Florida State Senator J.D. Alexander. Ms. Ortagus is a Master’s candidate at Johns Hopkins University for a graduate degree in Global Security Studies. She completed her undergraduate degree from Southeastern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Ms. Ortagus resides in Washington, DC.

Maggie Rackl, a Communications Associate at ISW, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from College of Charleston. She has also served as a Volunteer Educator aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Yorktown at Patriot’s Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Charleston, South Carolina. Before joining ISW, Maggie served as Encampment Coordinator aboard the United States Navy’s most decorated battleship, U.S.S. New Jersey.

Alicia Bonner, a Development Associate at ISW, has extensive experience with grassroots fundraising, institutional development, and strategic outreach and branding. Prior to joining ISW, Ms. Bonner served as a research assistant at the Program on International Policy Attitudes and WorldPublicOpinion.org where she conducted extensive research on the attitudes and beliefs of Muslim publics, in addition to spearheading efforts to expand the organization’s social media campaign. Previously, she served in the office of former Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), and as a Field Representative for the Peacework Development Fund in the Dominican Republic and Saint Lucia.  She speaks fluent French and Spanish, and has spent substantial time living abroad.

Ms. Bonner received her Bachelor’s from Barnard College, Columbia University in Political Science and International Relations where she completed her senior thesis on CIA operations in Latin America during the Cold War. Ms. Bonner also undertakes coursework at the United States Institute of Peace Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding.

Ian Galloway, a Communications Assistant at ISW, holds a Masters degree from the University of Edinburgh with a concentration in history and politics, as well as a diploma in French Language and Literature from the Sorbonne University in Paris. Upon graduation, Ian joined the Obama presidential campaign in Chicago where he worked in the constituency communications division and on the surrogate radio program. Ian spent the better part of 2009 travelling in Europe and working in South America as he continues to perfect his language skills in Spanish and French. He currently resides in Washington, DC.

 
Staff Interns

Researchers at the Institute for the Study of War

LTG James M. Dubik (U.S. Army, Ret.), a Senior Fellow at ISW, currently conducts research, writes, and briefs on behalf of the Institute. His areas of focus include MNSTC-I and the Iraqi Security Forces, the ways to improve U.S. and allied training of indigenous security forces in Afghanistan and elsewhere, and counterinsurgency doctrine. LTG Dubik assumed command of Multi National Security Transition Command-Iraq (MNSTC-I) on June 10, 2007. During this final command, he oversaw the generation and training of the Iraqi Security Forces. Previously, he was the Commanding General of I Corps at Ft. Lewis and the Deputy Commanding General for Transformation, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. He also served as the Commanding General of the 25th Infantry Division. Dubik has held numerous leadership and command positions with airborne, ranger, light and mechanized infantry units around the world. He was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry from Gannon University as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1971, and he retired from service on September 1, 2008. He holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Philosophy from Gannon University, a Master’s of Arts degree in Philosophy from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Military Arts and Sciences Degree from the United States Army Command and General Staff College. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, four awards of the Legion of Merit, five awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, and numerous Army Commendation and Achievement Medals. He is ranger, airborne and air assault qualified and holds the expert infantryman’s badge, master parachutist badge as well as the Army Staff Identification Badge.

Michael Gordon, a Senior Fellow at ISW, is the chief military correspondent for the New York Times, where he has worked since 1985. He is the coauthor, with LTG Bernard E. Trainor, of Cobra II and The Generals' War. He has covered the Iraq War, the American intervention in Afghanistan, the Kosovo conflict, the Russian war in Chechnya, the 1991 Persian Gulf War, and the American invasion of Panama.

James Danly, is a former U.S. Army officer and Contributing Scholar at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) where he conducts research in his areas of expertise: U.S. military counterinsurgency operations, Kurdish political dynamics, Iraqi’s political landscape, elections and security. 

Prior to joining ISW, Mr. Danly completed two consecutive tours with the U.S. Army in Iraq working at the strategic and tactical levels. He was also awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service. During his first tour, Mr. Danly was a platoon leader in an infantry company assigned to the Doura district in Baghdad under Task Force Dragon. In his second tour, Mr. Danly worked on the staff of Commanding General David H. Petraeus at Multi National Force –Iraq. In this capacity, Mr. Danly completed study projects on tactical counterinsurgency while also focusing on rule of law issues that lead to a reformation of targeting practices by Iraq’s highest intelligence agencies.

Mr. Danly is regularly appears on national media outlets to discuss the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, including appearances on the British Broadcast Corporation, Fox News, National Public Radio and writing in the New York Times online, the International Herald Tribune and U.S. News and World Reports weekly.

Mr. Danly is currently serving as an International Affairs Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Yale University where he studied English and classics.

Jeffrey Dressler, is a Research Analyst at ISW. Mr. Dressler is the author of the recent ISW report, Securing Helmand: Understanding and Responding to the Enemy. His report has drawn praise from the Marine Corps and the intelligence community for its understanding of the enemy network in southern Afghanistan and analysis of the military campaign in Helmand province over the past several years

Mr. Dressler has briefed wide audiences on various topics related to the war in Afghanistan. Recently, Mr. Dressler was invited to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to brief a Marine Battalion prior to their deployment. Additionally, he has also conducted briefings for members of the press, including The New York Times and Fox News in addition to Congressional audiences. 

Additionally, Mr. Dressler's commentary, articles and opinion editorials have been picked up by numerous outlets, including Real Clear World. He is also a frequent guest on a host of media outlets, including Fox News, Al Jazeera- English, Voice of America, Federal News Radio, the BBC and the CBC in addition to many others.

Mr. Dressler received his Bachelor's Degree from the Political Science Honors Program at The University of Connecticut, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.

Carl Forsberg, is a research analyst at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), where he focuses on the security dynamics and politics of Southern Afghanistan.  Mr. Forsberg is the author of two reports on Kandahar Province, The Taliban's Campaign for Kandahar and Politics and Power in Kandahar.  He also co-authored “The Quetta Shura Taliban in Southern Afghanistan” with ISW analyst Jeff Dressler and “Consolidating Private Security Companies in Southern Afghanistan,” with ISW President Kimberly Kagan. 

Research Interns

Brett Van Ess, a graduate intern at ISW, is currently pursuing a MA in Security Studies at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

Recent Contributors

Farook Ahmed, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University and a Master’s degree in International Security Studies from Georgetown University.  Following his graduation from Princeton University, he lived and worked in South Korea as a Princeton-in-Asia fellow.

Christin Aucunas, an undergraduate intern at ISW, is a senior at The George Washington University where she is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict & Security Studies and a minor in Art History.  She has done course work at the Universidad de Sevilla, and Universitat de Barcelona where she studied Muslim integration in Cataluña.  

Jonathan Bronitsky, Cambridge University, Master’s Student

Pamela Brown, a research intern on the Afghanistan Project, published the Fact Sheet: The Kabul Conference while at ISW, and is now pursuing a BA/MA in political science at Yale. She is a student in Yale’s Grand Strategy Program.

Michelle Cohan, a communications intern at ISW, attends the George Washington University where she is pursuing a BA in International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict & Security. Michelle has previously worked on Capitol Hill and at the policy institute Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. She has also served as a US student delegate in South Africa investigating the post-apartheid government, and has volunteered in Thailand as part of the tsunami disaster relief program. Corps and Heritage Center in April 2009. 

Jeremy J. Domergue, a former ISW Research Analyst from 2008-2009, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Government with a minor in Arabic from Georgetown University. He is also a veteran of the United States Air Force, speaks fluent French, strong Arabic, and has studied three years of Persian at the university level.

Metty Fisseha, a former undergraduate intern at ISW, is a student at Duke University where she is pre med pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and a certificate in Global Health. She was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and has since lived in Europe and Washington, D.C. She most recently traveled to Turkey where she engaged in interfaith dialogue and conducted research on religion in the political atmosphere. She is fluent in English, Amharic and Spanish and is learning French.

Stephanie Fontana, a research intern on the Afghanistan Project, is a rising junior at the University of Virginia.  She is pursuing a BA in Government and Foreign Affairs in the Politics Honors program and a minor in Mathematics.

James Fussell, a former Major in the US Army Special Forces, served two years in Northeastern Afghanistan as well as numerous other combat and non-combat deployments throughout the world.  His awards include the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.  He holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy where he was awarded the NY State Society of the Cincinnati-Blanche S. Lutterloh memorial award for highest standing in Military History. While at ISW, James co-produced the report: Kunar and Nuristan: Rethinking U.S. Coutnerinsurgency Operations.

Paul Garaffo, a former graduate intern at ISW, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Government from Hamilton College and is pursuing his Master of Arts in Security Policy Studies at George Washington University. Paul has also studied at Queen Mary, University of London and previously interned with the U.S. Department of State. 

Patrick Gaughen holds Master’s Degrees in Security Studies and Political Science from Georgetown and Duke Universities, respectively. Following his undergraduate work at Yale, he worked for the Department of Defense.

Leah Gould, is a graduate of the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, where she was also a cadet in Navy R.O.T.C. She was stationed on the USS Ronald Reagan while it deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Valiant Shield during her summer training cruise in 2006.  

Michal Harari, a graduate intern--worked on ISW's Iraq Project and published a fact sheet containing updates on the ongoing government formation in Iraq as of June 11, 2010 and a backgrounder on the uncertain future of the Sons of Iraq. Michal is pursuing a Masters Degree in International Security Policy and the Middle East at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She received her BA in international relations and economics from New York University, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Before beginning her education in the United States, Michal served in the Israeli Air Force and spent two years traveling around the world. Michal is fluent in Hebrew and proficient in Arabic.  

Sarah Hoffman, an undergraduate Communications intern at ISW, is a junior at The George Washington University where she is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in International Affairs with a concentration in International Development and International Economics and a minor in Anthropology.

Daniel LaGraffe, a former graduate intern at ISW, is pursuing a Masters Degree in Security Policy Studies from the George Washington University focused on transnational security and security and development. He earned a B.A. Summa Cum Laude in Political Science from Arizona State University after serving in the United States Marine Corps.  Aditionally, he studies the Arabic language.

Wesley Morgan, is a junior at Princeton University, where he is a cadet in Army R.O.T.C. He was embedded in Iraq in August 2007, reporting for the Daily Princetonian, and traveled with units in Baghdad and its belts.

Michael Moore, a former ISW Research Assistant, holds a Bachelor’s Degree cum laude in Social Studies with a Foreign Language Citation in Modern Standard Arabic from Harvard University. Michael has also studied at the Arabic Language Institute in Fes, Morocco, and has travelled extensively through Europe and the Mediterranean.

Adrian Myers, University of Toronto, Law School Student

Kaitlin Oujo attends The George Washington University, where she is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Middle Eastern Studies and minoring in Arabic.  She has also interned for the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq and is now a Yitzhak Rabin Fellow at the Embassy of Israel.

David Phillips, the Operations Manager of ISW from August 2008 to January 2010, holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Affairs from the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University where he concentrated in Conflict and Security Studies and minored in World Religions. Previously, David conducted media monitoring for a U.S. defense contractor and coordinated the Foreign Policy Center of the Roosevelt Institution at the George Washington University.  

Nathanial Rabkin, is a graduate of Cornell University.  He studies the Middle East, reads Arabic and Persian, and has worked as an intern at the American Enterprise Institute.

Cassiah Rasmussen, holds a Master's Degree in Security Studies from Georgetown University.

Claire Russo, a former ISW Research Analyst from 2008-2009, holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Politics from Tulane University. Claire is now employed with a Human Terrain Team (HTT).

Sam Scott, a research intern, worked on the ISW's Iraq Project and published an Iraqi Politics & Security Update. He is a rising junior at Princeton University, pursuing a BA in Politics and Near Eastern Studies.  He spent last summer in Turkey researching Ottoman history, and plans to study politics in Istanbul next year.

Ashleigh Seidler, a former Development Director of ISW, has distinguished herself through contributions to the nonprofit and political sector, serving as a community organizer, spokeswoman, and fundraiser for a diverse portfolio of not-for-profit organizations. Ms. Seidler previously managed an $85 million capital initiative as the Development Officer at the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. 

Ed Stein, holds a B.A. in History from Yale University.  He was a student in Yale’s Studies in Grand Strategy program. He has conducted archival research on twentieth-century British foreign policy in Cambridge and London.

Omid Townsend, a former graduate intern at ISW, is currently completing a Master of Arts in International Affairs and Middle East Studies at Georgetown University. He received his BA in Political Science from Portland State University, and will receive his commission as a Second Lieutenant from Georgetown University Army ROTC in 2011. Omid is fluent in Farsi and familiar with Arabic., an undergraduate intern at ISW, is a junior at Yale University, where he is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in History and International Studies. He is active in Yale's Marine Corps student organization and has interned previously in the U.S. Senate.

James Tyson, attends Columbia University, where he plans to concentrate in Political Science and Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures, with a special interest in diplomacy.

William Waddell, The Ohio State University, Doctoral Candidate, Military History

Scott Weiner, a former ISW Research Assistant from 2008-2009, holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations with a regional concentration in the Middle East from Tufts University. He also completed a minor in Modern Standard Arabic. Scott has studied at Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Beer Sheva, Israel, where he completed a special track in Peace Studies and Regional Security. In addition to abilities in Arabic and French, Scott is proficient in Hebrew.

Michael Whittaker, an undergraduate intern, is currently assisting the Afghanistan Project with a focus on the Kandahar Province. He is a senior at Georgetown University, studying International Politics and specializing in Security Studies.

Adam Willner is a senior at Georgetown University, where he is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy with minors in Arab Studies and Theology.  He has also studied at Oxford University. 

Gary Wong is a development intern  and is currently pursuing a B.A. in Political Science along with a double minor in International Affairs and Communications at the George Washington University. Gary has previously interned on Capitol Hill in the office of Congressman Mike Honda, at the Berger-Hirschberg Fundraising Strategies, and with the Presidential Campaign of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Jared Young, the ISW Communications Director from 2008-2009, holds a Master's Degree in International Affairs from the University of Oklahoma.  He is now employed on Capitol Hill.