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Colin Francis Jackson, Ph.D.

Chair Strategic and Operational Research Department
Colin Francis Jackson Profile Photo

Biography

Dr. Jackson served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia (2017-2019), overseeing all strategy, security cooperation, budget oversight, and contingency planning. He also served as the senior DOD representative to the U.S.-Taliban peace talks. From 2006-2017, he was a Professor in the Strategy Department and later Director of the Advanced Strategist Program. He also taught strategy and counterinsurgency at MIT and Columbia. In 2011, he deployed to Afghanistan as Executive Officer for Policy Planning for the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations USFOR-A. Before entering academia, he worked in private sector financial trading and power development.

Contact Information

(401) 856-6034

Areas of Expertise

  • Afghanistan
  • Air Warfare
  • Civil War
  • Cold War
  • Counterterrorism
  • Economics
  • Korean War
  • Pakistan
  • Vietnam War

Professional Highlights

2019

Chairman, Strategic and Operational Research Department

2017

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia

Oversaw all U.S. defense policy in the region including strategy formulation, security cooperation, budget oversight, and contingency planning.
2017

Director, Advanced Strategist Program

2011

Executive Officer for Policy Planning for ISAF Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations

2009

Senior Civilian Advisor, TF Mountain Warrior

Drafted brigade strategy for 4/4 Infantry assigned to Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kunar, and Laghman provinces.
2006

Professor, Strategy and Policy Department

Lectured on Iraq, Algeria, Korea, Vietnam, British grand strategy, economic mobilization in WWII, and Pacific War air and naval strategy.

Education

Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Political Science (Security Studies)

M.B.A. University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, Finance

M.A. Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies, Strategic Studies and International Economics

B.A. Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs

C.V. or Resume

Awards and Decorations

Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service

Bronze Star

External Memberships and Associations

MIT Security Studies Program
Research Affiliate

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