President of the Fourth Freedom Forum and an adjunct professor at The George Washington University. From 2004 to 2015 he was Executive Director of the Global Center on Cooperative Security. From 2007 to 2013, he taught graduate-level courses on international security and foreign policy at Johns Hopkins University, where he received the Excellence in Teaching Award for Advanced Academic Programs. He has held lecturing posts at the University of Maryland and conducted training courses on countering violent extremism at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Diplomatic Academy and for the European Union in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. He has written numerous chapters, articles, and reports on international security, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as on the nexus between security and development. He is the coauthor, with Eric Rosand, of Allied Against Terrorism: What’s Needed to Strengthen Worldwide Commitment (2006).
Counterterrorism
Countering the Financing of Terrorism
Preventing Violent Extremism
Multilateral Diplomacy
National Security Strategies
Postgraduate Diploma in Research Methods with distinction from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom; MA from Leeds University; BA cum laude from San Francisco State University
Countering Violent Extremism (Graduate level) Elliott School GWU; Contemporary Terrorism and the American Response (graduate level) Johns Hopkins University; Theories of Terrorism (graduate level) Johns Hopkins University; Terrorism and Counterterrorism (under graduate level) University of Maryland; Think Tanks and Foreign Policy (Graduate, Capstone) Elliott School GWU
Getting the Balance Right: Refining the Strategic Application of Nonproliferation Sanctions (Goshen, IN: Sanctions and Security Research Project of the Fourth Freedom Forum, April 2021) with George A. Lopez, David Cortright, and Linda Gerber
From Crisis to Opportunity: A Policy Playbook on Nonproliferation Sanctions. Notre Dame, IN: Keough School of Global Affairs, 2020 with George A. Lopez, David Cortright, and Linda Gerber
“Blue Sky IV: Clouds Dispersing?” Global Center on Cooperative Security, May 2018.
Mission Critical or Mission Creep? Issues to Consider for the Future of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee and Its Executive Directorate (2017)
Updated Guidance on ODA-Eligible Activities for Preventing Violent Extremism: Implications and Opportunities for the European Union (2017)
Blue Sky III: Taking UN Counterterrorism Efforts in The Next Decade From Plans to Action (2016) with Naureen Chowhury
Fink Is UN Equipped to Deliver New Plan on Preventing Extremism? (2016)
Strengthening the Case: Good Criminal Justice Practices to Counter Terrorism (2015) with Matthew Schwartz
Countering Violent Extremism and Promoting Community Resilience in the Greater Horn of Africa (2015) with Eelco Kessels
Needs-based Curricula and Programme Development for the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (2014) with Matthew Schwartz
Blue Sky II: Progress and Opportunities in Implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (2014) with Naureen Chowdhury Fink
Rethinking International Counterterrorism Assistance to the Greater Horn of Africa: Toward a Regional Risk Reduction Strategy (2013) with Matthew Schwartz
Getting Back to Basics?: Renewing the Mandate of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate for 2014-2016 (2013) with Naureen Chowdhury Fink
The G8’s Counterterrorism Action Group: Leaving Takes Leadership (2013)
Reshaping United Nations Counterterrorism Efforts: Blue-Sky Thinking for Global Counterterrorism Cooperation 10 Years After 9/11 (2012) with James Cockayne
Multilateral Counterterrorism: Harmonizing Political Direction and Technical Expertise (2010)
An Opportunity for Renewal: Revitalizing the United Nations Counterterrorism Program (2010) with James Cockayne
Implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in West Africa (2010) with Jason Ipe
Implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in North Africa (2010) with James Cockayne
Developing Regional Counterterrorism Cooperation in South Asia (2009)
Enhancing Counterterrorism Cooperation in Eastern Africa (2009) with Eric Rosand
The UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Regional and Subregional Bodies: Strengthening a Critical Partnership (2008) with Eric Rosand
Civil Society and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy: Opportunities and Challenges (2008) with Eric Rosand
Implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in the Latin America and Caribbean Region (2008) with Eric Rosand
Implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in East Africa (2008) with Eric Rosand Human Rights and the Implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy: Hopes and Challenges (2008) with Eric Rosand
Implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Southern Africa (2007) with Eric Rosand
The UN Security Council’s Counterterrorism Program: What Lies Ahead? (2007) with Eric Rosand
Implementing the United Nations General Assembly’s Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in the Asia-Pacific (2007)
Report on Standards and Best Practices for Improving States’ Implementation of UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Mandates (2006)
Building Global Alliances in the Fight Against Terrorism (2007) with Eric Rosand
Allied Against Terrorism: What’s Needed to Strengthen Worldwide Commitment (2006) with Eric Rosand
Tactical Nuclear Weapons: Emerging Threat in an Evolving Security Environment (2003) Ed. with Brian Alexander