Stephen Tankel

Stephen Tankel is a professor at American University's School of International Service and serves as a Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security. His expertise centers on terrorism, counterterrorism, and security studies with a particular focus on South Asia and the United States. Tankel's most prominent works include "With Us and Against Us: How America's Partners Help and Hinder the War on Terror" and "Storming the World Stage: The Story of Lashkar-e-Taiba." His research has significantly contributed to understanding the complexities of counterterrorism partnerships and militant organizations. Beyond academia, Tankel has served in advisory roles for the U.S. government, including as a Senior Advisor at the Department of Defense. His analysis regularly appears in major publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Foreign Affairs. His work bridges academic research and policy implementation, providing insights into counterterrorism strategy and the dynamics of militant organizations. Tankel's research methodology combines extensive fieldwork, particularly in South Asia, with comprehensive analysis of primary source materials.

Readers value Tankel's detailed research and insider perspective on counterterrorism policy. His academic background combined with government experience lends credibility to his analysis, according to multiple reviewers on Amazon and Goodreads. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex counterterrorism relationships - Extensive use of primary sources and field research - Balanced analysis of US partnerships - Accessible writing style for non-experts What readers disliked: - Dense academic language in some sections - Limited coverage of certain regions/time periods - High-level policy focus with fewer ground-level details Ratings across platforms: - "With Us and Against Us" averages 4.2/5 on Goodreads (42 ratings) - "Storming the World Stage" averages 4.4/5 on Amazon (28 ratings) One academic reviewer noted: "Tankel successfully breaks down complicated partnerships without oversimplifying the challenges." A policy professional wrote: "His fieldwork adds crucial context often missing from terrorism studies."

With Us and Against Us: How America's Partners Help and Hinder the War on Terror (2018) Analysis of how U.S. counterterrorism partnerships function, examining the complex relationships between the United States and various partner nations in fighting terrorist groups.

Storming the World Stage: The Story of Lashkar-e-Taiba (2011) Detailed account of the Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba's origins, evolution, and role in regional politics and terrorism.

The Militant Pipeline: Procedure, Players, and Effects in Pakistan and Afghanistan (2010) Examination of militant recruitment, training, and operational processes in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.

Indian Security Policy Under Congress and BJP Governments (2007) Comparative study of Indian security policies under different political administrations, focusing on strategic decision-making and implementation.

Peter Bergen writes about terrorism, counterterrorism, and U.S. national security policy with a focus on al-Qaeda and similar groups. His work combines field research and policy analysis in a way that parallels Tankel's approach to studying militant organizations.

Daniel Byman specializes in counterterrorism and Middle Eastern security issues, with extensive analysis of state sponsorship of terrorism. His research examines the intersection of militant groups and state actors, similar to Tankel's work on Pakistan's relationships with militant organizations.

C. Christine Fair focuses on political and military affairs in South Asia, particularly Pakistan's military doctrine and security challenges. Her work on Pakistan's army and militant groups provides context that complements Tankel's research on South Asian security dynamics.

Bruce Hoffman studies terrorism and counterterrorism with emphasis on organizational dynamics of terrorist groups. His analysis of how terrorist organizations evolve and adapt shares common ground with Tankel's examination of militant group behavior.

Ashley J. Tellis researches international security, defense, and Asian strategic issues with focus on South Asian nuclear dynamics. His work on Indo-Pakistani relations and regional security structures provides strategic context that aligns with Tankel's analysis of South Asian security.