Alyssa Demus

Alyssa Demus is a Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy and an international/defense researcher at RAND Corporation. Her expertise spans Ukrainian and Russian political/security issues, information warfare, counter-influence strategies, and decisionmaking dynamics. Fluent in Ukrainian, she leverages this skill for field research, including interviews with government, military, and civil society stakeholders in Ukraine.

Education:

• M.A. in Foreign Policy and National Security (American University)
• B.A. in International Relations (concentration in Russian/Eurasian Affairs) and B.A. in Political Science (University of Southern California)

Research Focus: Demus explores how information asymmetry drives military escalation, Russian-Ukrainian conflict dynamics, and the role of identity in geopolitical conflicts. Her work also addresses U.S. defense strategies against adversaries like Russia and Iran, including deterrence mechanisms and information warfare capabilities.

Influences in Articles: Her publications consistently analyze Russia's strategic weaknesses (e.g., deployment limitations, information confrontation tactics) while highlighting Ukraine's resilience. Recent work emphasizes the need for adaptive military planning and integrated information strategies in modern warfare.

Awards/Grants: No specific awards mentioned, but her research has shaped U.S. military doctrine and policy recommendations for NATO allies.

Advising & Teams: While no named students are listed, her contributions to RAND's policy analysis teams directly inform U.S. defense and international affairs strategies.