Benjamin J. Sacks

Benjamin J. Sacks is a policy researcher at the RAND Corporation and Professor of Political Geography at the RAND School of Public Policy. He is actively engaged in national security research, focusing on geopolitical competition, polar regions, defense acquisition, and emergency preparedness. His work informs high-level policy discussions with the U.S. Department of Defense, UK Cabinet Office, and the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

His research interests center on political geography and its application to national security policy, particularly in contested spaces such as the Arctic, Antarctic, and South China Sea. He also explores military acquisition, climate-related conflict, information warfare, and Truth Decay. His interdisciplinary approach integrates historical and geographical perspectives to generate novel policy insights.

The recent publications authored by Sacks reflect a strong trend in geopolitical analysis, defense policy reform, and climate-security linkages. His work spans strategic assessments of Arctic and Antarctic governance, military procurement challenges (e.g., KC-46A), and climate-driven instability in U.S. Central Command. These articles demonstrate consistent engagement with high-impact policy domains, blending empirical analysis with forward-looking recommendations.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Permanent Elected Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
• Fellow of the American Geographical Society
• 2009 National Beinecke Scholar

Advising and Grants: While no formal advisees are listed, Sacks collaborates with higher education institutions to encourage humanities doctorates to pursue policy careers. His research is supported through RAND’s institutional funding and likely external grants tied to defense and security research. He has led or contributed to numerous studies for U.S. and allied defense agencies, suggesting significant grant and contract involvement.

Labs and Research Teams: Sacks works within RAND’s national security research portfolio, contributing to interdisciplinary teams focused on defense strategy, polar security, and geopolitical competition. He participates in expert conferences and tabletop exercises, such as those assessing Antarctic governance risks, indicating active collaboration in specialized research groups.