Mark R. Jacobson is a Senior Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall Fund (GMF) of the United States in Washington DC where he focuses on defense and security policy, specifically emerging threats and challenges.

Prior to joining GMF, Jacobson served from August 2009 – July 2011 at the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan as both the Deputy NATO Senior Civilian Representative (SCR) and the ISAF Director of International Affairs. In this capacity Jacobson represented ISAF as part of the international diplomatic community in Kabul, helped to bring cohesion to a coalition of over 50 nations and international organizations, and served as the principal foreign policy advisor to the Commander, ISAF.  During his tenure Jacobson helped to bring several new nations to the ISAF coalition and worked closely with the international community to find solutions to diplomatic crises that could derail the comprehensive campaign in support of the Government of Afghanistan.

Jacobson previously served in several positions at the U.S. Department of Defense, as a Visiting Scholar for International Security and Public Policy for The Ohio State University’s Mershon Center, and on the staff of the Senate Armed Services Committee where he was part of the Chairman’s oversight and investigations team.  Jacobson’s military service includes eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve and he currently holds a commission as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.  He was mobilized to active duty to support military operations in Bosnia (1996) and Afghanistan (2006).

Jacobson is a frequent commentator for international media and is a frequent speaker and lecturer on defense and national security issues.  He is a life-member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a Senior Fellow at the Truman National Security Project, and a member of the Society for Military History. Jacobson was one of the first finalists for the Partnership for Public Service’s Call to Service Award and is a recipient of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service and the Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

Education: Jacobson earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s from the Department of War Studies, King’s College, London.  In 2005 he was awarded his PhD in Military History and Strategic Studies from The Ohio State University.