David Laitin

David Laitin is the James T. Watkins IV and Elise V. Watkins Professor of Political Science at Stanford University. He is affiliated with the Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) and The Europe Center. His research focuses on cultural influences—particularly language and religion—on political behavior, with applications to immigrant integration, civil war dynamics, and terrorism.

His fieldwork spans Somalia, Nigeria, Spain, Estonia, and France. Notable works include the book Why Muslim Integration Fails in Christian-heritage Societies and co-authored articles on terrorism and state weakness. Laitin earned his BA from Swarthmore College and PhD from UC Berkeley.

Key themes in his scholarship include cultural politics, international security, and state-building interventions. His publications frequently analyze policy implications for conflict resolution and global governance.