David E. Thaler

Senior International/Defense Researcher

Washington Office

Education

M.I.A. in International Security Policy/Middle East, Columbia University; B.A. in international relations, The George Washington University

One Page Bio

Overview

David Thaler is a senior researcher at the RAND Corporation. In over 34 years at RAND, he has led or participated in studies related to security cooperation with foreign partners, including planning and assessment, Title 10 reforms, prioritization, and best practices; foreign policy and military implications of developments in Iran, Israel, Iraq, and the broader Middle East, as well as Iranian domestic politics; future U.S. military capabilities; and the strategies-to-tasks framework for force planning. He has also conducted research on first-strike stability, aircraft maintenance, and military readiness. He was detailed from RAND to the Air Staff from 1993 to 1995 and again from 2003 to 2004. Thaler received his M.I.A. (Master of International Affairs) in international security policy and the Middle East from Columbia University.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

Congressional authorities for security cooperation
Strategic challenges posed by Iran
Assessing foreign partner military capabilities
Incorporating security cooperation impact into core decision making processes
Sectarianism in the Middle East

Selected Publications

Kirsten M. Keller, David E. Thaler, Kathleen Reedy, Caroline Baxter, Ryan Haberman, William Mackenzie, Miriam Matthews, Phillip Padilla, Yuliya Shokh, Human Aspects of Air Force Operations : The Roles of Social, Cultural, and Political Knowledge and Skills in the Full Spectrum of Multidomain Operations, RAND Corporation (RR-3221-AF), 2020

Raphael S. Cohen, David E. Johnson, David E. Thaler, Brenna Allen, Elizabeth M. Bartels, James Cahill, Shira, Efron, From Cast Lead to Protective Edge: Lessons from Israel's Wars in Gaza, RAND Corporation (RR-1888), 2017

David E. Thaler, Michael J. McNerney, Beth Grill, Jefferson P. Marquis, Amanda Kadlec, From Patchwork to Framework: A Review of Title 10 Authorities for Security Cooperation, RAND Corporation (RR-1438), 2016

Richard Mesic, David E. Thaler, David Ochmanek, Leon Goodson, Courses of Action for Enhancing U.S. Air Force "Irregular Warfare" Capabilities, RAND Corporation (MG-913), 2010

David E. Thaler, Alireza Nader, Shahram Chubin, Jerrold D. Green, Charlotte Lynch, Frederic Wehrey, Mullahs, Guards, and Bonyads: An Exploration of Iranian Leadership Dynamics, RAND Corporation (MG-878), 2010

David E. Thaler "Chapter One: The Middle East: The Cradle of the Muslim World," in Angel M. Rabasa, Cheryl Benard, Peter Chalk, C. Christine Fair, Theodore Karasik, Rollie Lal, Ian Lesser, David Thaler, The Muslim World After 9/11, RAND Corporation (MG-246), 2004

David E. Thaler, Strategies-to-Tasks: A Framework for Linking Means and Ends, RAND Corporation (MR-300), 1993

Glenn A. Kent, David E. Thaler, First-Strike Stability: A Methodology for Evaluating Strategic Forces, RAND Corporation (R-3765), 1989