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
August 14, 2019Michael Kofman writes, "The Pacific on the other hand lends itself handily to deep diving autonomous weapons if they're 'fire and forget.'"
The National Interest: "Russia Wants Four Submarines Armed with Nuclear Warhead Drones That Can Cause Tsunamis"
August 1, 2019Michael Kofman compares the similarities of North Korea's new KN-23 missile to Russia's Iskander missile, saying, "it looked like a knockoff Rolex basically."
Foreign Policy: "North Korean Missile Dismissed as 'Standard' by Trump Threatens U.S. Military"
Michael Kofman says, "The issue of security, and access to technology, is just as problematic for Russia selling an S-400 to a NATO country as it is for the U.S. in the case of the F-35."
Defense One: "Why the S-400 and the F-35 Can't Get Along"
July 12, 2019Michael Kofman says that the only thing the S-400 can do with its radars is track the flight profile of the F-35, something that Russia already does in the Middle East and the Baltics.
New York Times: "What Is the S-400? the Russian Missile System in Turkey That Irks the Pentagon"
July 12, 2019Michael Kofman says, "It [S-400] would allow the user of that air defense system to much better design future radars and future air defense systems to work against U.S. fighters and U.S. aircraft."
CNN: "Putin's Latest Trick: Missiles for Turkey" (1:25-1:52)
July 8, 2019Michael Kofman says, "It is difficult to believe that the typical compliment, 20-25 crewmen, would consist of 7 Captains first rank, including two who had been awarded as heroes of the Russian Federation, unless they were conducting some important research mission or perhaps test."
VOA News: "Deadly Arctic Submarine Blaze Casts Light on Russia's Underwater Intel Service"
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Foreign MilitariesForeign PolicyEuropeRussia
CNA DIVISION
Adversary Analytics Program
