Robert Pape

Robert A. Pape is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, specializing in international security affairs. He holds a PhD from the University of Chicago (1988) and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh (1982). Before joining Chicago in 1999, he taught at Dartmouth College and the USAF School of Advanced Airpower Studies.

• Research Focus: International relations theory, suicide terrorism, political violence, and unipolarity.
• Leadership: Director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats (CPOST).

His recent research examines the political geography of the January 6 insurrectionists, the impact of military service on insurrection support, and the intersection of the Islamic calendar with violence trends. His commentary has appeared in major media outlets including The New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN.

Pape’s academic career spans decades, with seminal works like Bombing to Win (1996) and Dying to Win (2005) shaping debates on coercion, air power, and terrorism. His current work continues to analyze suicidal terrorism and global security dynamics.