Peter Andreas

Peter Andreas is the John Hay Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Brown University, with a joint appointment at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. He joined the faculty in 2001 after fellowships at Harvard, Brookings Institution, and the SSRC-MacArthur Foundation. His research focuses on transnational crime, border policing, and war economies, with notable works like Smuggler Nation and Blue Helmets and Black Markets. He holds a PhD from Cornell University and a BA from Swarthmore College.

Andreas has authored/co-authored a dozen books and written for journals such as International Security and Foreign Affairs. His 2024 Distinguished Scholar Award highlights contributions to organized crime studies. Teaching includes courses on drug politics, illicit economies, and post-Cold War conflicts.

• Education:
  • PhD in Government, Cornell University (1999)
  • MA in Government, Cornell University (1995)
  • BA in Political Science, Swarthmore College (1987)

Research interests include border enforcement, illicit trade dynamics, and the interplay between security and political economy. He has conducted fieldwork in Latin America, the Balkans, and Western Europe, analyzing smuggling networks and state responses to transnational crime.

Recent articles explore the historical role of smuggling in state formation, US-Mexico border policies, and the nexus between drugs and warfare. His work frequently critiques policy approaches to illicit economies and emphasizes historical context in global security studies.

Awards:

• 2024 Distinguished Scholar Award (International Association for the Study of Organized Crime)
• Finalist, Lionel Gelber Prize (2020)
• Multiple book awards from Foreign Affairs and Amazon

Andreas advises on drug policy and security matters, testifying before congressional committees. He leads seminars on contraband capitalism and global illicit economies, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to contemporary security challenges.