I am a professor in the Department of Political Science at California State University, Long Beach. My broad field of study is international relations, with a specialization in international security. My research examines a range of topics including violent extremist organizations, U.S. foreign policy, the U.S. defense industry, and defense contractors.

My work on extremist organizations assesses the strategies groups use in an effort to advance their organizational and political objectives. I have recently published articles in this field in International Studies Review, Terrorism and Political Violence, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, and Small Wars & Insurgencies.

My research on the United States defense industry examines the markets for security services and the relationship between defense contractors and private capital, including private equity and venture capital firms. My work in this area has been published in Security Studies, Business & Politics, Strategic Studies Quarterly, Defense and Peace Economics, Defense & Security Analysis, and Journal of Global Security Studies.

My research on U.S. foreign policy focuses on the underlying motivations driving American arms sales abroad. I recently published an article in International Relations analyzing U.S. arms transfers to Taiwan.

I received my B.A. with highest honors in History from Williams College and my M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from UCLA. A copy of my CV is available here.

Areas of Research

International Security
Extremist Groups
Terrorism and Insurgency
Defense Contracting
American Foreign Policy