Eric Rosenbach

Eric Rosenbach is a Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School and serves as Director of the Defense, Emerging Technology, and Strategy Program at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. He previously co-led the Belfer Center with former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. Rosenbach currently holds significant advisory roles, serving on the Secretary of State's International Security Advisory Board and the Secretary of Defense's Defense Business Board.

• Harvard Kennedy School - Senior Lecturer in Public Policy
• Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs - Director of Defense, Emerging Technology, and Strategy Program
• Secretary of State's International Security Advisory Board - Member
• Secretary of Defense's Defense Business Board - Member

Rosenbach teaches graduate courses in policy development, strategy execution, and international security. His academic background includes a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University, a Master of Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School, and a Bachelor of Arts from Davidson College. As a Fulbright fellow, he conducted research on privatization programs in Eastern Europe.

His research focuses on cybersecurity, defense strategy, emerging technologies, and international security. Rosenbach's publications include the books Confronting Cyber Risk: An Embedded Endurance Strategy and Find, Fix, Finish, which the LA Times described as 'an important volume in the secret history of a nasty war.' His recent work examines critical and emerging technologies, US-China relations, Arctic security, and defense innovation.

Rosenbach's articles demonstrate expertise across multiple domains including cyber risk management, counterterrorism, defense innovation, US-China strategic competition, and Arctic security. His work often bridges technical and policy perspectives, with particular attention to implementation challenges in national security contexts.

• Secretary of State's International Security Advisory Board
• Secretary of Defense's Defense Business Board
• Former Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense (2015-2017)
• Former Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Security and Homeland Defense

Rosenbach has extensive government experience, having served as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense from 2015-2017, where he was Secretary Ash Carter's closest strategic advisor on key policy initiatives including the war against ISIS, the rebalance to Asia, and countering Russian aggression. He previously served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Security and Homeland Defense with responsibilities spanning cyber, space, weapons of mass destruction proliferation, counterterrorism, and defense support to civil authorities. Earlier in his career, he was Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cyber Policy, national security advisor to Senator Chuck Hagel, and a professional staff member on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. As an Army intelligence officer, he commanded a telecommunications intelligence unit supporting operations in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Rosenbach leads the Defense, Emerging Technology, and Strategy Program at the Belfer Center, which focuses on the intersection of technology, security, and policy. His work examines how emerging technologies affect national security strategy, military operations, and international relations, with particular attention to implementation challenges and strategic implications.