About
Alexander Cooley is the Claire Tow Professor of Political Science at Barnard College, Columbia University, and serves as Vice Provost for Research and Academic Centers. He previously directed Columbia’s Harriman Institute (2015–2021), a leading center for Russian, Eurasian, and Eastern European studies. His research focuses on external actors’ influence in post-Soviet states, kleptocracy, and the decline of American hegemony. Cooley has authored/co-authored eight books, including *Exit from Hegemony* (2020) and *Dictators Without Borders* (2017). He advises international bodies, testifies before Congress, and publishes in *Foreign Affairs*, *Foreign Policy*, and *New York Times*. Educated at Swarthmore College and Columbia University (MA, MPhil, PhD), his work spans global governance, international rankings, and authoritarian resilience. Grants from Open Society Foundations and Carnegie Corporation support his research.
- Education: BA (Swarthmore), MA/MPhil/PhD (Columbia)
- Leadership Roles: Harriman Institute Director, Barnard Vice Provost
- Research Themes: Eurasian geopolitics, authoritarianism, US-Russia military bases, global rankings
His recent articles analyze Russia’s post-Soviet influence, America’s declining hegemony, and Central Asia’s adaptation to shifting global powers. Cooley’s work bridges academia and policy, addressing contemporary challenges like kleptocracy and multipolarity through rigorous scholarship and public engagement.
