Obaid Younossi

Obaid Younossi is Vice Dean and Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy, and a Senior Policy Researcher at RAND. He provides strategic leadership for academic programs and initiatives, focusing on developing future policy analysts and public policy leaders. His work is deeply rooted in defense and security policy, with extensive collaboration across U.S. and international defense agencies.

• Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Public Policy, The George Washington University
• M.A. in International Affairs, George Mason University
• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh

Younossi's research focuses on military acquisition and procurement, defense budgets and spending, emerging defense technologies, and program evaluation. His work emphasizes cost analysis, institutional reform, and strategic policy development. He has led studies for the U.S. Air Force, Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.K. Ministry of Defence, and governments of Qatar, Oman, and Australia.

His recent publications highlight trends in digital engineering, cost estimation for military aircraft, sustainment of commercial derivative aircraft, and acquisition agility. These works reflect a consistent focus on improving defense acquisition efficiency, reducing cost overruns, and integrating modern technologies into military systems.

Younossi has no listed scientific awards in the provided text.

He mentors future policy analysts through academic leadership and research supervision, though specific students are not named. He has led major research initiatives including the Resource Management Program for Project AIR FORCE and the RAND-Qatar Policy Institute. His research has been instrumental in shaping defense policy and acquisition reform across multiple nations.