
Alexander Palmer is an associate fellow in the Transnational Threats Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Prior to joining CSIS, he worked in Afghanistan, where he provided security analysis to humanitarian and UN staff before and after the withdrawal of international military forces in August 2021. He holds a master in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
In the News
What You Need to Know About the Israel-Hamas Violence
Daniel Byman and Alexander Palmer in Foreign Policy — October 7, 2023
What the Hamas Attack Means for Israel
Daniel Byman and Alexander Palmer in Foreign Affairs — October 7, 2023
As Russia moves arms on civilian ships, Ukraine’s backers must respond
Alexander Palmer in Defense News — August 24, 2023
Ukraine’s Counteroffensive: What to Know
Alexander Palmer in NYT — June 14, 2023
War in Ukraine So Far Favors the Defense
Seth G. Jones Alexander Palmer and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. in The Washington Post — June 13, 2023
All Alexander Palmer Content
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“What’s Next for Hamas and Israel?”: Audio Brief with Alexander Palmer
Podcast Episode by Alexander Palmer — October 19, 2023

Seizing the Initiative in Ukraine: Waging War in a Defense Dominant World
Brief by Seth G. Jones Riley McCabe and Alexander Palmer — October 12, 2023
What’s Next for Hamas and Israel?
Critical Questions by Alexander Palmer and Daniel Byman — October 10, 2023
Daniel Byman and Alexander Palmer in Foreign Affairs: What the Hamas Attack Means for Israel
Commentary by Daniel Byman and Alexander Palmer — October 7, 2023
Daniel Byman and Alexander Palmer in Foreign Policy: What You Need to Know About the Israel-Hamas War
Commentary by Daniel Byman and Alexander Palmer — October 7, 2023
A Wolf in Ship’s Clothing: Russia’s Militarization of Civilian Vessels in the Black Sea
Commentary by Alexander Palmer Delaney Duff Jennifer Jun and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — August 24, 2023
“A Wolf in Ship’s Clothing”: Audio Brief with Alexander Palmer
Podcast Episode by Alexander Palmer — August 24, 2023

The Islamic State Threat in Pakistan: Trends and Scenarios
Commentary by Alexander Palmer and Mackenzie Holtz — August 3, 2023
Examining Extremism: Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
Blog Post by Alexander Palmer and Mackenzie Holtz — July 13, 2023
The Impact of the Kakhovka Dam Breach on the New Ukrainian Counteroffensive
Commentary by Riley McCabe Alexander Palmer and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — June 16, 2023