David Finkelstein, Ph.D.

Dr. David M. Finkelstein is CNA’s inaugural Distinguished Research Fellow for National Security Affairs. He is among the nation’s foremost specialists in Asian security issues, with special expertise in the military and security affairs of the People’s Republic of China. For almost two decades, he built and led CNA’s China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division.

Formerly a career US Army officer, he held several China and Asia-related positions, including duty in the Pentagon as Director for Asian Analyses on the Joint Staff, multiple tours of duty with the Defense Intelligence Agency, and on the faculty at West Point. He has provided analytic support and advice to the US President, cabinet officials, service chiefs, combatant commanders, members of Congress, and corporate boards and leaders. For his many contributions, the Secretary of the Navy recognized him with the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.

Dr. Finkelstein is a member of the National Committee for US-China Relations and served as a consultant and contributing author to The National Geographic Atlas of China. He regularly leads seminars at the Foreign Service Institute, the US Army War College, and the National Bureau for Asia Research. He also serves on the editorial board of Parameters, the flagship journal of the US Army War College. His publications include a historical monograph on the origins of US policy toward Taiwan, coedited volumes on military affairs of the People’s Republic of China, and journal articles.

Dr. Finkelstein holds a PhD in Chinese history from Princeton University, and he is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, the Command and General Staff College, US Army War College, the JFK Center for Military Assistance and Unconventional Warfare, and the US Army Airborne School. He has also studied Mandarin Chinese in Tianjin, China, at Nankai University.