Erik E. Mueller

@erikemueller on Twitter

Defense Analyst

Washington Office

Education

M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies, University of Chicago; B.A. in international affairs, Lewis & Clark College

Overview

Erik E. Mueller (he/him) is a defense analyst at the RAND Corporation. Mueller studies violent non-state actors (VNSAs) in North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia (though he has taken part in projects studying groups in other regions). Inside and outside of RAND, Mueller has studied the relationships between VNSAs and their host states, VNSA financing, VNSA adaptation, state support to VNSAs, and VNSA mergers. Additionally, Mueller has participated in projects focusing on mass attacks, insider threats, political violence, extremism, displaced peoples, acquisitions, regional security organizations, strategic forecasting, great power competition, drug trafficking, and interoperability.

Research Focus

Selected Publications

Vasseur, Michael, Chad C. Serena, Colin P. Clarke, Irina A. Chindea, Erik E. Mueller, and Nathan Vest, Understanding and Reducing the Ability of Violent Nonstate Actors to Adapt to Change, RAND Corporation (RR-A324-1), 2022

Williams, Heather J., Alexandra T. Evans, Jamie Ryan, Erik E. Mueller, and Bryce Downing, The Online Extremist Ecosystem: Its Evolution and a Framework for Separating Extreme from Mainstream, RAND Corporation (PE-A1458-1), 2021

Publications

Report
Proxy Warfare in Strategic Competition: Overarching Findings and Recommendations
This report synthesizes the findings and recommendations from two companion reports on intrastate proxy wars: civil wars in which at least one local warring party receives material support from an external state.
Mar 9, 2023
Report
Proxy Warfare in Strategic Competition: State Motivations and Future Trends
The authors used quantitative analysis and case studies of China, Iran, and Russia to examine the causes and likely future trends in proxy wars: civil wars in which at least one local warring party receives material support from an external state.
Mar 9, 2023
Report
Proxy Warfare in Strategic Competition: Military Implications
The authors examine the military implications of intrastate proxy wars (civil wars in which at least one local warring party receives material support from an external state) via a literature review and four case studies.
Mar 9, 2023
Report
In the Wreckage of ISIS: An Examination of Challenges Confronting Detained and Displaced Populations in Northeastern Syria
The authors examine the humanitarian and security conditions in two Syrian camps for internally displaced persons: al-Hol and Roj. They address concerns about radicalization and highlight challenges in returning displaced residents to their homes.
Mar 9, 2023
Report
Anticipating Chinese Reactions to U.S. Posture Enhancements
This report provides a framework of key factors to aid U.S. policymakers in assessing how China may react to shifting U.S. posture in the Indo-Pacific. The authors apply the framework to hypothetical posture enhancements to offer insights.
Oct 25, 2022
Report
Understanding and Reducing the Ability of Violent Nonstate Actors to Adapt to Change
This report summarizes research into how violent nonstate actors adapt to changes in their operational environments and provides recommendations on how the Army might anticipate such adaptations and mitigate them before they occur.
Jun 6, 2022
Tool
Mass Attacks Defense Toolkit
RAND researchers created this tool to advance efforts to prevent and reduce intentional, interpersonal firearm violence and public mass attacks in the United States.
May 31, 2022
Report
The Online Extremist Ecosystem: Its Evolution and a Framework for Separating Extreme from Mainstream
The authors describe white supremacists' and other extremists' use of the internet and introduce a framework for internet users to categorize virtual platforms and understand their potential to encounter extreme content online.
Dec 2, 2021
Report
An Analysis of Alternative Approaches to Measuring Multinational Interoperability: Early Development of the Army Interoperability Measurement System (AIMS)
Researchers conducted an analysis of alternatives of interoperability measurement systems to support the U.S. Army in achieving interoperability with partners. Researchers identified a new approach, the Army Interoperability Measurement System.
Sep 22, 2021
Report
A Review of U.S. Army Non-Materiel Capability-Development Processes
This report analyzes non-materiel DOTLPF-P (doctrine, organization, training, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, policy) processes to help identify issues and changes to improve how the Army implements non-materiel solutions.
Aug 3, 2021