Robert Soofer

Dr. Rob Soofer is Senior Associate (non-resident) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Security Studies (CSS), teaching courses in nuclear strategy, missile defense, and arms control.

Rob was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy from April 2017 to January 2021. In this capacity, he was co-director of the Nuclear Posture Review and Missile Defense Review and led their implementation; testified before Congress on nuclear and missile defense policy; led bi-annual nuclear staff talks with key allies; served as U.S. Representative to the NATO High Level Group for nuclear planning; and was the Secretary of Defense Representative to the US-Russia nuclear arms control talks. 

Previously, Rob served for eight years as Professional Staff Member and Republican staff lead for the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the Senate Armed Services Committee and as Strategic Forces Policy Advisor to Senator Jon Kyl, the Republican Whip. Rob also was Military Legislative Assistant to Senator Slade Gorton (R-WA) and Professional Staff Member on the Senate Republican Policy Committee. He joined the National War College for three years as Professor of National Security Policy, and served for eight years in various policy and international affairs positions with the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization/Missile Defense Agency. In 2003, he was called to active duty as a Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve and assigned to the newly created Terrorist Threat Integration Center.

Rob received his Doctorate in International Relations from the University of Southern California and is a graduate of the National War College. He was awarded the Department of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Medal and Distinguished Public Service Medal, and is the author of Missile Defenses and Western European Security (Greenwood Press, 1988).