Mara Karlin

Mara Karlin is a Professor of Practice at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University, where she also serves as Director of the Foreign Policy Institute and faculty co-lead for the Security, Strategy, and Statecraft focus area. She is additionally a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution, bridging academic scholarship with high-level policy engagement.

• Professor of Practice, SAIS, Johns Hopkins University
• Director, Foreign Policy Institute, SAIS
• Faculty Co-Lead, Security, Strategy, and Statecraft, SAIS
• Visiting Fellow, Brookings Institution

Dr. Karlin holds a PhD in Strategic Studies from SAIS, a master’s degree in Strategic Studies, Middle East Studies, and International Economics with distinction from SAIS, and an undergraduate degree in Political Science summa cum laude from Newcomb College, Tulane University.

• PhD, Strategic Studies, SAIS
• MA, Strategic Studies, Middle East Studies, International Economics, SAIS
• BA, Political Science, Tulane University

Her research and professional work focus on national security, defense strategy, military modernization, and international affairs. She has led the development of major U.S. defense strategies, including the 2022 National Defense Strategy, Nuclear Posture Review, and Missile Defense Review. Her expertise spans strategic planning, defense budgeting, regional security in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and emerging military capabilities. She has contributed significantly to U.S. force posture modernization in the Indo-Pacific and the implementation of the AUKUS partnership.

The two books she authored reflect deep scholarship in military history and defense policy, covering broad disciplines such as strategic studies, international relations, and national security. The works explore subfields including U.S. defense strategy, military modernization, armed conflict analysis, security cooperation, and regional dynamics, demonstrating a sustained intellectual commitment to understanding the evolution and future of warfare and statecraft.

Dr. Karlin has received top civilian honors for her service, most notably the Secretary of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest civilian award bestowed by the Department of Defense.

• Secretary of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal

She has advised six U.S. secretaries of defense across administrations and held senior roles including Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. She led the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy and managed a wide range of regional and functional security issues. She also contributed to the Biden-Harris Transition defense policy team and served on the 2018 National Defense Strategy Commission and the Congressionally appointed Syria Study Group. Though no specific grants are listed, her government leadership roles imply oversight of major defense initiatives and strategic programs.

At SAIS, Dr. Karlin leads the Foreign Policy Institute and co-leads the Security, Strategy, and Statecraft academic focus area, shaping curriculum and research direction. She also taught on the Semester at Sea program in 2017 and 2024, indicating engagement with global education initiatives.