Tarak Barkawi

Tarak Barkawi is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University, affiliated with the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on military history, war studies, and international relations, with a particular emphasis on the intersection of armed forces, empire, and postcolonial dynamics. He holds a prestigious office in San Martin 228 and can be reached via tarak.barkawi@jhu.edu.

His work includes the award-winning book Soldiers of Empire, which examines multicultural armies in British Asia during WWII, and ongoing research on the Korean War and its implications for racialized military narratives. He has also published widely on topics such as war and democracy, postcolonial security studies, and Max Weber's theories of state and violence.

Barkawi’s accolades include major prizes from the American Historical Association and the International Studies Association. He has engaged in teaching professional soldiers across institutions like the UK, US, and NATO, and contributes to global affairs commentary through scholarly and public platforms.