Richard Shultz

Richard Shultz is the Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of International Security Studies and Director of the International Security Studies Program (ISSP) at The Fletcher School, Tufts University. His work focuses on U.S. national security policy, irregular warfare, special operations, and intelligence strategy. He holds a PhD in Political Science from Miami University. Shultz has held distinguished academic chairs, including at the U.S. Military Academy and Naval War College, and serves as a Senior Fellow at the Joint Special Operations University. His recent research examines military innovation in counterinsurgency, AI’s role in warfare, and security sector reform. Notable publications include *Transforming US Intelligence for Irregular War* (2020) and *Big Data at War* (2020).

Shultz’s research emphasizes adapting U.S. security paradigms to non-state threats and 21st-century warfare. His articles analyze Task Force 714’s Iraq operations, AI integration in military strategy, and counterterrorism tactics. Awards include the Bradley Fellowship and Scaife Foundation support. He advises U.S. agencies and teaches courses on intelligence policy, irregular warfare, and crisis management.

Grants include funding from the Smith Richardson Foundation and Deloitte for projects on China’s South China Sea strategy and malign influence detection. Shultz leads ISSP, which trains students in national security careers through curriculum development, crisis simulations, and military fellowships.

He has conducted fieldwork globally, including in the Middle East and NATO regions, teaching special operations strategies to foreign militaries. Labs/teams include collaborations with SOCOM, JSOU, and the Marine Corps on irregular warfare and AI-driven intelligence systems.