Bold. Innovative. Bipartisan.
Dr. Patrick M. Cronin
Patrick M. Cronin is a Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Previously, he was the Senior Director of the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) at the National Defense University, where he simultaneously oversaw the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs.
Dr. Cronin has a rich and diverse background in both Asian-Pacific security and U.S. defense, foreign and development policy. Prior to leading INSS, Dr. Cronin served as the Director of Studies at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). At the IISS, he also served as Editor of the Adelphi Papers and as the Executive Director of the Armed Conflict Database. Before joining IISS, Dr. Cronin was Senior Vice President and Director of Research at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
In 2001, Dr. Cronin was confirmed by the United States Senate to the third-ranking position at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). While serving as Assistant Administrator for Policy and Program Coordination, Dr. Cronin also led the interagency task force that helped design the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
From 1998 until 2001, Dr. Cronin served as Director of Research at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Prior to that, he spent seven years at the National Defense University, first arriving at INSS in 1990 as a Senior Research Professor covering Asian and long-range security issues. He was the founding Executive Editor of Joint Force Quarterly, and subsequently became both Deputy Director and Director of Research at the Institute. He received the Army's Meritorious Civilian Service Award upon his departure from NDU in 1997.
He has also been a senior analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses, a U.S. Naval Reserve Intelligence officer, and an analyst with the Congressional Research Service and SRI International. He was Associate Editor of Strategic Review and worked as an undergraduate at the Miami Herald and the Fort Lauderdale News.
Dr. Cronin has taught at Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program, The Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and the University of Virginia’s Woodrow Wilson Department of Government.
He read International Relations at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, where he received both his M.Phil. and D.Phil. degrees, and graduated with high honors from the University of Florida. He regularly publishes essays in leading publications and frequently conducts television and radio interviews. In addition to many CNAS reports and numerous articles, his major publications include: Global Strategic Assessment, 2009: America’s Security Role in a Changing World; Civilian Surge: Key to Complex Operations (co-editor); The Impenetrable Fog of War: Reflections on Modern Warfare and Strategic Surprise; The Evolution of Strategic Thought: Adelphi Paper Classics; and Double Trouble: Iran and North Korea as Challenges to International Security.
Strategic Resilience: A U.S.-Japan Alliance Action Plan for All-Hazard Emergency Management
Evermay Dialogue Co-Chairs Dr. Sachiko Kuno and the Honorable Michèle Flournoy released a new report on a U.S.-Japan alliance action plan for all-hazard emergency management.
Read MoreCNAS Commentary: High Stakes at the Sunnylands Summit
Center for a New American Security Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Patrick Cronin and Pereira International CEO Derwin Pereira have written a new commentary as President Obama prepares to host a summit with ASEAN leaders in Sunnylands, California next week.
Read MoreSolving Long Division: The Geopolitical Implications of Korean Unification
Eight CNAS experts examine a host of issues posed by unification – including nuclear weapons and deterrence, the U.S.-Korea alliance, and relations between the countries in Northeast Asia – and offers key findings to inform how policymakers should prepare for unification on the Korean Peninsula.
Read MoreDr. Patrick Cronin before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Patrick Cronin testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on America's security role in the South China Sea.
Read MoreDr. Patrick Cronin before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Patrick Cronin testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on China's relations with Southeast Asia.
Read MorePreserving the Rules: Countering Coercion in Maritime Asia
"A combination of active engagement, cost imposition, denial, and offset strategies can best help shape the future order of the Asia-Pacific region."
Read MoreIdeas to Action: Suggestions for the 25th Secretary of Defense
In advance of Dr. Ashton Carter’s upcoming nomination hearing to be Secretary of Defense, CNAS experts have produced a series of commentaries outlining the key issues the 25th Secretary of Defense will face.
Read MoreThe Challenge of Responding to Maritime Coercion
Dr. Patrick Cronin provides a framework for further thinking about both the need to impose costs on bad behavior and gray zone assertiveness in maritime Asia, and the set of strategies best able to accomplish behavioral change while preserving the overall peaceful character of the region.
Read MoreIf Deterrence Fails: Rethinking Conflict on the Korean Peninsula
Asia-Pacific Security Director Dr. Patrick Cronin charges U.S. policymakers to rethink deterrence and escalation in a changing security environment.
Read MoreTailored Coercion: Competition and Risk in Maritime Asia
"Tailored Coercion: Competition and Risk in Maritime Asia," written by the CNAS Asia-Pacific Security Program, analyzes competition and security risks in Maritime Asia.
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Countering Terrorism in the Asia-Pacific
The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) will present a panel discussion on the challenges posed by resurgent extremism in the Asia-Pacific region and the opportunities for greater regional counterterrorism collaboration.
Read MoreMapping Asia's Trajectory: An Australian Perspective
CNAS, in partnership with the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, hosted a luncheon keynote address by the Hon Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia.
Read MoreDefending the First Island Chain
The Center for a New American Security will hold a public, on-the-record experts’ discussion on the future defense of the First Island Chain that spans the Asia-Pacific maritime.
Read MoreThe United States and Global Missile Defense
The Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security held its annual conference on missile defense on March 12, 2013, featuring CNAS Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program Dr. Patrick Cronin in a panel discussion on msissle defenses.
Read MoreElection 2012 - Informing the National Security Agenda Event Series
The Center for a New American Security, the American Enterprise Institute and the New America Foundation are pleased to introduce Election 2012: Informing the National Security Agenda to this presidential campaign season.
Read MoreVital Venture: Economic Engagement of North Korea and the Kaesong Industrial Complex
At a launch event co-hosted by the Korea Economic Institute on March 8, CNAS released "Vital Venture: Economic Engagement of North Korea and the Kaesong Industrial Complex."
Cooperation from Strength: The United States, China and the South China Sea
At an event on January 10, 2012, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) released a report by CNAS experts Dr. Patrick Cronin and Robert D. Kaplan titled "Cooperation from Strength: The United States, China and the South China Sea."
Read MoreIndo-Pacific Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Workshop
On March 30, 2011, CNAS Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program Dr. Patrick M. Cronin led a workshop focused on trends related to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) in the Indo-Pacific.
Read MoreThe ROK-U.S. Alliance: Planning for the Future
The Center for a New American Security and the East Asia Institute co-hosted a conference in Seoul on the future of the ROK-U.S. alliance with a keynote address from President of the Naval War College Rear Admiral Phil Wisecup, USN, and General Walter L. Sharp, Commander, UNC/CFC/USF.
Read MorePressure: Coercive Economic Statecraft and U.S. National Security
On January 31, CNAS held a private press briefing for the release of the "Pressure: Coercive Economic Statecraft and U.S. National Security" report. Authors Dr. David Asher, Victor Comras and Dr. Patrick Cronin met with the press and national security leaders for a question and answer session.
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Donald Trump says U.S. is bankrolling Asian allies’ defense. That’s not really true.
Dr. Patrick Cronin, senior director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program, weighs in on U.S. engagement in Japan and South Korea.
Read MorePM Lee in US for special Asean summit
In The Straits Times, Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Patrick Cronin explains the importance of the ASEAN summit.
Read MoreTaiwan poll looms as unwanted headache for Obama in final year
In a Reuters article discussing the Taiwanese elections, Asia-Pacific Security Director Patrick Cronin weighs in on the prospect of a DPP win had brought Taiwan back "as a serious foreign policy issue" for the United States.
Read MorePhilippine court puts off ruling on U.S. military pact
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Dr. Patrick Cronin examines the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the US in Reuters.
Read MoreInterview: Patrick Cronin on Defense News on China's Long-Term Strategy
Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program Dr. Patrick M. Cronin discusses China's long-term strategy on Defense News.
Read MorePhilippine court unlikely to rule on U.S. security deal before Obama visit - source
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Dr. Patrick Cronin examines U.S.-Philippine security ties in the South China Sea in Reuters.
Read MoreBattle Over China's Artificial Islands Has Just Begun
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Dr. Patrick Cronin examines the US-China relationship in the wake of China's land reclamation efforts in Bloomberg View.
Read MoreThe Price of Delay: US Navy To Challenge Chinese Claims
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Dr. Patrick Cronin examines the White House's plans for freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea in Breaking Defense.
Read MoreCNAS Press Note: Korean President Park's Visit to the United States
President Richard Fontaine and Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Patrick Cronin have written the Press Note “Korean President Park’s Visit to the United States” to frame the issues she and President Obama will face.
Read MoreInterview: Patrick Cronin on The Situation Room on N. Korean Nuclear Weapons
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Dr. Patrick Cronin discusses whether North Korean nuclear weapons can reach the United States on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.
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North Korea Ignites a Predictable Chain Reaction
On War on the Rocks, Senior Fellow Dr. Patrick Cronin examines North Korea's fourth nuclear test.
Read MoreTaiwan’s Great Recalibration
In a Foreign Policy op-ed, CNAS experts Patrick Cronin and Phoebe Benich discuss implications from the Taiwanese elections.
Read MoreThe Mind Games Behind Obama Arming Taiwan
In The National Interest, Asia-Pacific Security Experts Patrick Cronin and Harry Krejsa examine presidential announcements of major arms sales to Taiwan.
Read MoreYomiuri-Gallup Survey / Strong support for alliance expressed on both sides
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Dr. Patrick Cronin penned an op-ed examining U.S.-Japan relations in The Japan News.
Read MoreHow to Get Kim Jong-un Out of the U.S.-ROK Alliance's 'Head'
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Dr. Patrick Cronin penned an op-ed examining the U.S.-Korean alliance and the threat from North Korea in The National Interest.
Read MoreHow American Can Cross the Digital Security Divide
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Dr. Patrick Cronin co-wrote an op-ed examining how the US can respond to growing cybersecurity challenges in The National Interest.
Read MoreWaiting for Widodo: The Limits of Security Assistance and the U.S. Rebalance to Asia
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Dr. Patrick Cronin co-wrote an op-ed examining the security relationship between the US and Indonesia in War on the Rocks.
Read MoreAmerican Strategy in the South China Sea: Time to Define 'Militarization' and 'Coercion'
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Dr. Patrick Cronin and Senior Fellow with the Asia-Pacific Security Program Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper co-wrote an op-ed examining the proper US response to China's actions in the South China Sea in The National Interest.
Read MoreNorth Korea's saber rattling more worrying than Russia
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Dr. Patrick Cronin penned an op-ed examining Russian and North Korean saber rattling and nuclear capabilities in CNN.
Read MoreForecasting the Future of US-China Competition
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Dr. Patrick Cronin penned an op-ed examining the US-China relationship based on material from the CNAS annual conference in The Diplomat.
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Dr. Patrick Cronin before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Patrick Cronin testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on America's security role in the South China Sea.
Read MoreDr. Patrick Cronin before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Patrick Cronin testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on China's relations with Southeast Asia.
Read MoreAppearance by Dr. Patrick Cronin before the HASC on the "strategic rebalance" toward Asia.
CNAS Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program Dr. Patrick Cronin testified on July 24 before the House Armed Services on achieving strategic re-balance in the Asia-Pacific region.
Read MoreChina’s Global Quest for Resources and Implications for the United States
On January 26th, Dr. Patrick M. Cronin, CNAS Senior Advisor and Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program, testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. He discussed the subject of China's approach to managing natural resources and its implications for U.S. national security.
Read MoreThe Prospects for Korean Reunification | Great Decisions Lecture Series
As part of the Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions Lecture Series, Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Dr. Patrick Cronin joins a panel to discuss the prospects of Korea reunification.
Read MoreNorth Korea: U.S. intelligence warnings
On CNN, Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Patrick Cronin discusses warnings from U.S. intelligence chiefs on the North Korean threat.
Read MoreVideo: Mapping Asia's Trajectory: An Australia Perspective
CNAS, in partnership with the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, hosted a luncheon keynote address by the Hon Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia on January 26 at The Willard InterContinental Hotel.
Read MoreKim Jong Un's motives: North Korea nuclear test
On CNN, Patrick Cronin, Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program, discusses Kim Jong Un's possible motives for conducting a nuclear test, which North Korea claims was an H-bomb.
Read MoreVideo: CSF 2015 I Panel Discussion: Contested Arenas
Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program Dr. Patrick M. Cronin discusses territorial disputes in the South China Sea at the Naval War College.
Read MoreSEWAC: U.S. National Security and the Asia Pacific Region
Asia-Pacific Security Director Patrick Cronin, presents on U.S. national security and the Asia-Pacific region at the Southeastern Connecticut World Affairs Council.
Read MoreU.S. pressures North Korea over nukes, human rights
Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Patrick Cronin joins CNN's Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer to discuss U.S. pressures on North Korea on its nuclear program.
Read MoreNorth Korea threatens U.S. ambassador
Asia-Pacific Security Senior Director Patrick Cronin discusses North Korea's threat to the U.S. Ambassador with Brian Todd on CNN's Situation Room.
Read MoreNorth Korea, Russia declare a 'year of friendship'
Asia-Pacific Security Director Dr. Patrick Cronin weighs in on the "year of friendship" declared by North Korea and Russia.
Read MoreU.S. Security Challenges
On This Week in Defense News, Asia-Pacific Security Senior Director Dr. Patrick Cronin discusses the fight against the Islamic State group, Russia's aggression in Ukraine and other challenges to U.S. security.
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