Kristian Smith

Kristian Smith has extensive experience in national security and strategic studies, currently serving as an Adjunct Research Staff Member at the Institute for Defense Analyses since August 2021. Prior to this role, Kristian worked as an Adjunct Lecturer at the Joint Special Operations University from May 2021 to September 2024 and held the position of Chair of the Strategy Department at the National Defense University - Joint Advanced Warfighting School from July 2017 to March 2021. Kristian's military career includes various leadership roles within the US Army, including Officer from May 1991 to March 2021, Chief of Strategy and Policy at USINDOPACOM from June 2014 to June 2017, and Senior Military Assistant at OSD Policy - Strategy, Plans, and Force Development from January 2010 to June 2013. Kristian Smith holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College (2013-2014) and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wake Forest University (1987-1991).