Matthew Schmidt

Matthew Schmidt, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the National Security Department/Homeland Security at the University of New Haven’s College of Arts and Sciences. He also holds an affiliation with the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. His expertise spans strategic analysis, U.S. politics, national security, and Russian/Ukrainian geopolitics.

Dr. Schmidt holds a Ph.D. in Government from Georgetown University (2011), an M.A. in Russian/East European Studies (2001), and a B.A. in Government and Literature (1998). His research focuses on Eurasianism, U.S.-Russia relations, and military strategy. Notably, he was ranked #22 on Fast Company’s 2016 list of the 100 Most Creative People in America for integrating architectural design into military planning.

His work bridges academia and policy, including contributions to the Project on National Security Reform (sponsored by Secretary Robert Gates) and field experience in Ukraine’s post-revolution elections. He co-hosts the Impolitic podcast on global affairs and frequently appears in media outlets like CNN, BBC, and Forbes.

Recent publications analyze Russia’s military strategy, the Ukrainian conflict, and Putin’s ideological frameworks. His articles emphasize geopolitical dynamics, deterrence theory, and the intersection of domestic politics with international security.