Richard L. Russell is Adjunct Professional Lecturer at the American University’s School of Public Affairs where he teaches a seminar on terrorism and American national security policy. Russell started his career in national security as a political-military analyst on the Middle East for the Central Intelligence Agency. After earning a Ph.D. in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia, Russell accepted an appointment as Professor of National Security Affairs at the National Defense University in Washington, DC. He also has held research and teaching appointments at Georgetown University’s Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service. Russell is the author of three books—to include Sharpening Strategic Intelligence published by Cambridge University Press—and dozens of commentaries, journal articles and book chapters.

Course taught: JLC 673