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Eliot Cohen Faculty Profile Image

Eliot A. Cohen

Robert E. Osgood Professor

About

Eliot Cohen is the Robert E. Osgood Professor at the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) where he has taught since 1990. He served as Dean of SAIS from 2019 to 2021. Cohen received his BA and PhD degrees from Harvard University and after teaching there and at the Naval War College founded the Strategic Studies program at SAIS. His books include The Big Stick (2017), Conquered into Liberty (2011), and Supreme Command (2002). In addition to public service in the Department of Defense he served as Counselor of the Department of State from 2007 to 2009. He writes frequently for major newspapers and is a contributing writer at The Atlantic.

Cohen, E. (2017). The Big Stick: The Limits of Soft Power and the Necessity of Military Force. New York: Basic Books.

Cohen, E. (2012). Conquered into Liberty: Two Centuries of Battles along the Great Warpath that Made the American Way of War. New York: Free Press.

Spring 2013 
Shakespeare on War and Politics - Mini series (Bologna)

Expertise

Topics

  • American Defense Policy
  • American Foreign Policy
  • Civil-Military Relations
  • International Relations
  • Modern Military History
  • Strategic and Security Issues
  • Strategic Studies
  • Strategy

In the News

‘A call for American renewal’: A manifesto from 150 Republican Party reformers.

Dean Eliot A. Cohen cited in Deseret News, 05/13

Former Defense Secretary expresses concern over U.S. troop withdrawal.

Dean Eliot A. Cohen interviewed on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, 04/28

Biden's risky decision to end America's longest war gives him a chance to refocus U.S. foreign policy.

Dean Eliot A. Cohen quoted on CNN, 04/14

Exit strategy.

Dean Eliot A. Cohen wrote in The Atlantic, 04/13

Following withdrawal announcement, battle to determine Afghanistan war’s legacy begins.

Dean Eliot A. Cohen quoted in The Washington Post, 04/13

Austin focuses inward in first days as Pentagon chief.

Dean Eliot A. Cohen quoted on CNN, 02/05

Reports of the death of American leadership are greatly exaggerated.

Dean Eliot A. Cohen interviewed in Dallas Morning News, 01/24

These old evils require old remedies.

Dean Eliot A. Cohen wrote in The Atlantic, 01/11

Foreign adversaries skewer U.S. after Capitol riots.

Dean Eliot A. Cohen quoted in The Hill, 01/07

A misremembered day of infamy.

Dean Eliot A. Cohen cited in Quillette Magazine, 01/06

Defense secretaries' letter warning Trump was signed by all in only two days.

Dean Eliot A. Cohen and Eric Edelman cited on ABC News, 01/05

Defense secretaries worried about a Trump power grab.

Dean Eliot A. Cohen quoted and Eric Edelman cited in Foreign Policy, 01/04