Patrick B. Johnston

Photo of Patrick Johnston
Associate Political Scientist
Washington Office

Education

Ph.D. in political science, Northwestern University

Overview

Biography

Patrick Johnston is an associate political scientist at the RAND Corporation. He specializes in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism, with a particular focus on Afghanistan and the Philippines. His articles have been published or are forthcoming in a range of peer-reviewed journals, including International Security, Security Studies, and Civil Wars. Before coming to RAND, Johnston was a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, Stanford University, and the United States Institute of Peace. He completed his Ph.D. in Political Science at Northwestern University in 2009.

Selected Publications

Patrick B. Johnston, "Does Decapitation Work? Assessing the Effectiveness of Leadership Targeting in Counterinsurgency Campaigns," International Security, 36(4):47-79, 2012

Benjamin Crost and Patrick Johnston, "Aid Under Fire: Development Projects and Civil Conflict," Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs Discussion Paper 2010-18, 2010

Patrick Johnston, "The Geography of Insurgent Organization and Its Consequences for Civil Wars: Evidence from Liberia and Sierra Leone," Security Studies, 17(1):107-137, 2008

Patrick Johnston, "Negotiated Settlements and Government Strategy in Civil Wars: Evidence from Darfur," Civil Wars, 9(4):359-377, 2007

Commentary

New 'Rule Book' to Set Parameters for Targeted Killings — Dec 31, 2012

  • The Orange County Register

Do Targeted Killings Work? — Sep 24, 2012

  • Council on Foreign Relations

Drone Strikes Keep Pressure on al-Qaida — Aug 18, 2012

  • The Providence Journal