James Russell

James Russell is a Senior Lecturer with the Center for Contemporary Conflict in the Department of National Security Affairs. Russell's expertise is "Persian Gulf policy and security; U.S. security strategy in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East; Nuclear strategy; Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; Transformation and defense strategy."

According to his CCC biography, "In June 2001, Mr. Russell was selected to join the National Security Affairs Department at the Naval Postgraduate School on assignment from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. At NPS, he is teaching courses in Persian Gulf security policy and national security strategy.

"From March 1999 through June 2001, Mr. Russell served as the country director for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in the office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (ISA-NESA). During this period he was a driving force in the establishment of the US-Saudi Joint Planning Committee, creating the first forum ever devoted to structured dialogue between the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Ministry of Defense and Aviation. Mr. Russell also led two interagency teams in bilateral discussions with the United Arab Emirates on implementation of the US-UAE Defense Cooperation Agreement, and was intimately involved in the successful conclusion of the UAE's $6 billion purchase of the F-16.

"Mr. Russell served as the NESA country director for Iraq from 1996 to 1999 through Operation Desert Fox and, prior to that, served as country director for Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya from November 1995 until November 1996.

"Prior to arriving in NESA, Mr. Russell served as the country director for Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman in the Operations Directorate, Defense Security Assistance Agency. While in DSAA he also served as the Senate Liaison and was a foreign affairs specialist in DSAA's Plans Directorate.

"Before his government service, Mr. Russell was Manager of Analytical Studies at the American League for Exports and Security Assistance, a trade association of 25 aerospace companies and two labor unions. Prior to that Mr. Russell was a reporter for the newsletter Defense Week and an Assistant Editor of the Marine Corps Gazette. In addition to his writing as a journalist, Mr. Russell has had articles published in Middle East Review of International Affairs, The Nonproliferation Review, the Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, Military Logistics Forum, The DISAM Journal and the Journal for Public and International Affairs. He also has an article forthcoming in the Joint Forces Quarterly.

"Mr. Russell was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service in January 2001. He received the Paul H. Nitze award for Excellence in International Security Affairs in December 1997. In December 1995, Mr. Russell received the Civilian Career Service Award for his work at DSAA in strengthening U.S. security assistance relationships in the Persian Gulf. In January 1991, Mr. Russell was awarded an OSD Certificate of Appreciation for his work on DSAA's Middle East Action Team during Operation Desert Shield, which provided security assistance support to Persian Gulf nations following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

"In June 1983, Mr. Russell received his Masters in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. In June 1981, Mr. Russell graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, majoring in History." -

Other SourceWatch Resources

 * Department of Defense
 * Office of Net Assessment
 * Office of Special Plans
 * Office of the Secretary of Defense