Alexei Hoffman is a research associate with the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he focuses on military aerospace and unmanned-systems policy. A U.S. Army veteran, he served as a forward observer in Afghanistan and later conducted defense training advisory work in Ukraine. His experience spans national security, defense policy, and the defense industry. He holds an MA in Asian studies from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service and an MA in military affairs from The Citadel Military College of South Carolina. He is fluent in Mandarin and Russian.
Commentary by Alexei Hoffman — July 15, 2026
