
Alexander Palmer is a fellow in the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program 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
Conditions that gave rise to ISIS still present in Syria, commander says
Alexander Palmer in Task & Purpose — June 27, 2024
Six Options for Israel in Gaza
Alexander Palmer and Riley McCabe in The Washington Quarterly — April 15, 2024
Three key questions about Netanyahu’s ‘day after’ plan for Gaza
Alexander Palmer in The Hill — March 6, 2024
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 The New York Times — 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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Can Ukraine Survive Without U.S. Aid?
Event — June 5, 2025
Can Ukraine Fight Without U.S. Aid? Seven Questions to Ask
Podcast Episode by Iselin Brady, Daniel Byman, Riley McCabe, and Alexander Palmer — May 19, 2025

Can Ukraine Fight Without U.S. Aid? Seven Questions to Ask
Report by Iselin Brady, Daniel Byman, Riley McCabe, and Alexander Palmer — May 19, 2025
Global Terrorism Threat Assessment 2025
Report by Alexander Palmer, Riley McCabe, Daniel Byman, and Skyeler Jackson — March 28, 2025
Fighting with Allies: Transforming Multinational Strategic Planning in the U.S. Department of Defense
Report by Sean Monaghan, Alexander Palmer, and Chris H. Park — March 26, 2025
Jihadist Terrorism in the United States
Brief by Alexander Palmer, Skyeler Jackson, and Daniel Byman — January 21, 2025

The Arsenal of Instability: How Expanding Western Defense Production Impacts Negotiations in Ukraine
Podcast Episode by Alexander Palmer and Audrey Aldisert — December 19, 2024

The Arsenal of Instability: How Expanding Western Defense Production Impacts Negotiations in Ukraine
Commentary by Alexander Palmer and Audrey Aldisert — December 17, 2024
Ukraine’s Westward Shift
Commentary by Alexander Palmer — December 10, 2024