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Andrew Parasiliti

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Acting Director, International Security and Defense Policy Center; Director, Center for Global Risk and Security
Washington Office

Education

Ph.D., Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University; M.A. in foreign affairs, University of Virginia; B.A., cum laude in psychology, University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

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Overview

Andrew Parasiliti is director of the Center for Global Risk and Security and acting director of the International Security and Defense Policy Center, National Security Research Division, at the RAND Corporation. Prior to joining RAND, he was editor of Al-Monitor.com, which received the International Press Institute's 2014 Free Media Pioneer Award; executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies-U.S. and corresponding director, IISS-Middle East; principal, Government Affairs-International, at the BGR Group; foreign policy advisor to U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel; director of the Middle East Initiative at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University; and director of programs at the Middle East Institute. Parasiliti is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and the Virginia Club of New York. 

He received a Ph.D. from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, where he wrote his dissertation on Iraq; an M.A. in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia; and a B.A., cum laude, from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he was a member of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology.

Research Focus

Selected Publications

Andrew Parasiliti, Kathleen Reedy, Becca Wasser, "Preventing State Collapse in Syria: U.S. Options for Dealing with Assad, Islamic State, and Al-Qaeda," RAND Corporation, 0, 2017

Andrew Lohn, Andrew Parasiliti, William Welser IV, "Should We Fear an AI Arms Race?" Defense One, 0, 2016

Andrew Parasiliti, "Were Russian Hacks Really a Threat to American Democracy?" The National Interest, 0, 2016

Andrew Parasiliti, "Former House Intel Chair: Turkey Can't Have It Both Ways in NATO," Al-Monitor, 54(1), 2015

Andrew Lohn, Andrew Parasiliti, William Welser IV, "How to Overcome the Risks of Artificial Intelligence," TIME, 54(4), 2015

Andrew Parasiliti, "Leaving Iraq," Survival, 52(5), 2012

Andrew Parasiliti, "After Sanctions, Deter and Engage Iran," Survival, 0, 2010

Marjory Blumenthal, Andrew Parasiliti, and Ali Wyne, "AI's Promise and Risks," TechCrunch, 0, 2017

Recent Media Appearances

Interviews: KCRW; The National Interest; CCTV America

Commentary

  • U.S. Capitol Washington, D.C., with storm clouds

    Can Washington Successfully Prepare for the Future?

    The impossibility of predicting the future does not remove the need to mull the uncertain. Policymakers should build in windows of time to think imaginatively about the pursuit of America's strategic objectives, and take a bird's-eye view of the role America can and should play in shaping an increasingly complex, chaotic world.

    Apr 6, 2018 The National Interest

  • Robots working with cardboard boxes on a conveyer belt

    AI's Promise and Risks

    Artificial intelligence seems to be advancing faster than efforts to understand its potential consequences, good and bad. And discussions about AI often veer toward extremes. More balanced, rigorous analysis is needed to help shape policies that mitigate AI's risks and maximize its benefits.

    Oct 24, 2017 TechCrunch

  • A green globe illustration

    Global Risks in 2040: Q&A with Andrew Parasiliti

    Andrew Parasiliti discusses how the RAND Center for Global Risk and Security is envisioning the world in 2040, and the security challenges that will shape it.

    Jun 30, 2017

  • U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (L) listens to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (2ndR) at the start of a meeting at the World Conference Center in Bonn, Germany, February 16, 2017

    U.S. Should Test Russia on Islamic State

    The United States should consider accepting Russia's offer to help on ISIS, especially if the Trump administration is considering sending more troops or establishing safe zones in Syria.

    Feb 28, 2017 Al-Monitor

  • People protest as electors gather to cast their votes amid allegations of Russian hacking to try to influence the U.S. presidential election in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, December 19, 2016

    Were Russian Hacks Really a Threat to American Democracy?

    The Russian attacks should be another wake up call about the relentless probing of America's digital assets by adversaries and the potential consequences of weak cyber defenses. But U.S. democracy appears to have survived safe and sound.

    Dec 30, 2016 The National Interest

  • The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Legged Squad Support System can relieve troops of their 100-pound equipment load, take voice commands, and maneuver around obstacles, in addition to numerous other tasks in the field

    Should We Fear an AI Arms Race?

    Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, and others signed a letter calling for a ban on the application of artificial intelligence to advanced weapons systems. AI weapons are not without risks, but the benefits are substantial and the risks can be mitigated with more moderate regulation than a ban.

    Feb 8, 2016 Defense One

  • The humanoid robot AILA (artificial intelligence lightweight android) operates a switchboard during a demonstration at the CeBit computer fair in Hanover, Germany, March, 5, 2013

    How to Overcome the Risks of Artificial Intelligence

    The warnings and promises of artificial intelligence aren't new, but advances in technology make them more pressing.

    Oct 22, 2015 TIME

Publications