Michael Kofman
Senior Research Scientist
BIOGRAPHY
Michael Kofman is an expert on Russia, Eurasia and Pakistan. His research focuses on security issues in Russia and the former Soviet Union, specializing in defense and military analysis.
Kofman has advised senior military and government officials on Russia, Eurasia and Pakistan and represented the Department of Defense on numerous occasions before foreign officials and dignitaries. In addition to his role at CNA, he is a Kennan Institute Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center. Kofman has published numerous articles on security issues in Eurasia, specifically Russia and Ukraine, and has appeared as a featured guest on broadcast news programs throughout the country.
Kofman holds an M.A. in Security Studies with a concentration in International Security from Georgetown University and a B.A. in International Affairs and Political Science from Northeastern University. He is fluent in Russian.
RECENT NEWS
June 14, 2019Michael Kofman provides expertise on the Gulf tanker attacks, saying that the maritime areas where civil navigation is at risk are protected by international groups involving naval ships from various countries.
TASS: "Press Review: Who's Behind the Gulf Tanker Attacks and Serbia Could Send Troops to Kosovo"
May 31, 2019Michael Kofman says, "Ground forces have to deal with it all the time because they can lose access to communications and systems of navigation."
Al-Monitor: "After Syria, Pentagon Ramps up Electronic Warfare Efforts"
Michael Kofman says, "Russia inherited a large percentage of the Soviet Union's navy with a tiny fraction of its budget."
The Intercept: "Sinking of Russian Nuclear Submarine Known to West Much Earlier Than Stated, NSA Document Indicates"
May 27, 2019Michael Kofman writes, "The fighter will allow Russia to attain qualitative air superiority over a 4th generation air force, and work with its own integrated air defense to counter penetrating stealth aircraft."
Russia Military Analysis: "Russia's SU-57 Fighter Program – It's Worth Following"
May 16, 2019Michael Kofman says, "Russian nuclear strategy has a firm place for scalable employment of nuclear weapons, for demonstration, escalation management, warfighting, and war termination if need be."
Defense One: "Nuclear Weapons Are Getting Less Predictable, and More Dangerous"
May 3, 2019Michael Kofman says, "The debate on relative military power and expectations of the future military balance is terribly warped by a low-information environment."
Defense News: "Russian Defense Spending Is Much Larger, and More Sustainable Than It Seems"
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Foreign MilitariesForeign PolicyEuropeRussia
CNA DIVISION
Adversary Analytics Program
