Professor of Political Science, Barnard College, Columbia University

Alexander Cooleyis Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science at Barnard College, Columbia University in New York. Professor Cooley's research examines how external actors have shaped the sovereignty and political development of the post-Communist states, with a focus on post-Soviet Central Asia and the Caucasus. He is the author of dozens of articles and four books- the most recent,Great Games, Local Rules: The New Great Power Contest in Central Asia(Oxford 2012). In addition to his academic work, Cooley's policy-related articles and opinion pieces have appeared in theNew York Times, Wall Street Journal,andForeign Affairsand he is regularly quoted in international media outlets on Central Asia-related topics. In addition to his academic work, Professor Cooley currently serves as an external advisor for Open Society Foundations, Human Rights Watch, and the National Endowment for Democracy. He has testified before the US Congress about Central Asian issues and his work has been supported by the German Marshall Fund of the United States, the Smith Richardson Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation and the Open Society Foundations, among others.