Stephen Tankel Associate Professor SIS | Foreign Policy & Global Security
- Additional Positions at AU
- Adjunct Senior Fellow, Center for a New American Security
- Degrees
- BS, Cornell University
MSc, London School of Economics
PhD, War Studies, King's College London - Bio
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Stephen Tankel is an associate professor at American University and an adjunct
senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. He previously served as a
Senior Advisor at the Department of Defense. An expert on terrorism, counterterrorism, and security and military affairs in South Asia, Dr. Tankel frequently advises U.S. policymakers and members of the Intelligence Community on these issues. He has conducted field research in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan, and the Balkans. Dr. Tankel is the author of numerous works, including With Us And Against Us: How America’s Partners Help and Hinder the War on Terror, and Storming the World Stage: The Story of Lashkar-e-Taiba. He is also a senior editor at War on the Rocks, associate editor of the Texas National Security Review, on the editorial boards of Terrorism and Political Violence, and Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, and a frequent media commentator.
- For the Media
- To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request. Explore all AU Faculty Experts in our media guide.
Teaching
Spring 2025
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SIS-689 Foreign Pol: Theor Decisn Mkng
Summer 2025
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SIS-793 Practicum in Int'l Affairs: Wicked Challenge to US Sec
Fall 2025
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SIS-653 Topics in U.S. Foreign Policy: Instruments of Statecraft
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SISU-230 Analysis of US Foreign Policy
Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities
Media Appearances
Interviewed for a CNN.com article regarding Obama's speech and visit to Kabul. In this article he addresses the thorny issue of negotiating with the Taliban. Read full story here.
Quoted in “Pakistan: A Militant Most Wanted” Financial Times. May 1, 2012. Read the article here.
Featured in an interview with the Washington Post “Pakistani militant Hafiz Mohammad Saed seeks protection from bounty hunters.” April 22, 2012. Read the full article here.
Featured on a panel discussing the state of Al Qaeda. See video of the discussion here.
Quoted in WNYC article “Gillibrand, Vets Seek Faster Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan.” March 26, 2012. Read full text of article here.
Featured in an interview with WNYC about the U.S. presence if Afghanistan. Listen to full audio here.
Quoted in “Hearing in Congress on Baluchistan: Crossing the Rubicon or Political Theatre?” February 8, 2012. Read the full article here.