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Nathan Freier

Senior Fellow, International Security Program

Associated Research Focus:

Defense Policy
International Security
Terrorism & Transnational Threats

Associated Programs:

International Security Program
Project Iceberg

Expertise:

U.S. grand strategy; national security, defense, and military strategy and policy development; irregular, catastrophic, and hybrid security challenges and conflicts; strategic net and risk assessment; terrorism; the Iraq War

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Nathan Freier joined CSIS in April 2008 as a senior fellow in the International Security Program after completing a 20-year career in the U.S. Army. His last military assignment was as director of national security affairs at the U.S. Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute (SSI). Prior to joining SSI, he served in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, where his principal responsibilities included development of the 2005 National Defense Strategy and scoping the four “mature and emerging” strategic challenges (traditional, irregular, catastrophic, and disruptive). Previously, he was a U.S. Army fellow/visiting scholar at the University of Maryland’s Center for International and Security Studies (CISSM) and a strategist with the Strategic Plans, Concepts, and Doctrine Directorate, Department of the Army (DA) Staff in Washington, D.C. While at CISSM, he examined strategic risk and terrorism. His duties on the DA Staff included army preparation for, participation in, and response to the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review, as well as army and joint strategic planning for the war on terrorism. Freier twice deployed to Iraq as a strategist while assigned to the Army War College. From January to July 2005, he served in the Strategy, Plans, and Assessments Directorate of Headquarters, Multi-National Force–Iraq, and from May to August 2007, he served as a special assistant to the Commander, Multi-National Corps–Iraq, in the Commander’s Initiatives Group. From 1988 to 2000, and prior to his service as an army strategist, he held various leadership and staff positions as a field artillery officer in the United States, Europe, and the first Persian Gulf War. While at SSI and now at CSIS, he continues to provide expert advice to a number of key actors in the security and defense policymaking and analysis communities. Among his research interests and areas of expertise are U.S. grand strategy; national security, defense, and military strategy and policy development; irregular, catastrophic, and hybrid security challenges and conflicts; strategic net and risk assessment; terrorism; and the Iraq War. He holds masters’ degrees in both international relations and politics and is a graduate of the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College.

Other publications by Nathan Freier

Nathan Freier In the News


Nathan Freier, a senior fellow with the CSIS International Security Program, was quoted by the Wall Street Journal, "Iraq, U.S. Struggle to Hit Deadline for Military Presence Pact." 06/27/2008
Nathan Freier, a senior fellow in the CSIS International Security Program, was quoted by the New York Times, "Government Study Faults Bush Administration's Measures of Progress in Iraq." 06/24/2008
Nathan Freier, a senior fellow with the CSIS International Security Program, was quoted by the Associated Press, "Deaths in Iraq Plunge, But Will it Last?" 06/01/2008
Nathan Freier, a senior fellow with the CSIS International Security Program, was quoted by the Los Angeles Times, "U.S. Military Steps of Criticism of Iran." 04/29/2008
Nathan Freier, a senior fellow with the CSIS International Security Program, was quoted by USA Today, "Odierno 'Best' Choice for Top Iraq Post." 04/24/2008
Nathan Freier, a senior fellow with the CSIS International Security Program, was quoted by Reuters, "Analysis: US Military's Odd Couple Rises Up the Ranks." 04/24/2008
Nathan Freier, a senior fellow with the CSIS International Security Program, was quoted by the Chicago Tribune, "Bush Elevates Petraeus to Run Both Wars." 04/24/2008
Nathan Freier, a senior fellow with the CSIS International Security Program, was quoted by the Washington Post, "Bush Nominates Patraeus to Lead Central Command." 04/24/2008
Nathan Freier, a senior fellow with the CSIS International Security Program, was quoted by the Associated Press, "Son of Dutch Defense Chief Killed in Afghanistan." 04/18/2008
 

 

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