Bio
Dr. Ryan Burke is a Professor of Military & Strategic Studies (MSS) at the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA). He is the Co-Director of Project 6633 at the Modern War Institute (MWI) at West Point, where he also served as a two-term (2019-2020; 2020-2021) MWI Non-Resident Fellow. Ryan is also an Affiliate Professor with the University of Alaska – Fairbanks (UAF) Center for Arctic Security and Resilience and a Visiting Scholar with Northwestern University’s Department of Political Science. Additionally, he is the co-founder of and former Research Director for U.S. Northern Command’s (USNORTHCOM) Homeland Defense Institute (HDI). He is the recipient of both USAFA’s William H. Heiser Award for Outstanding Senior Faculty Educator (top professor – cadet voted) and USAFA’s Robert F. McDermott Award for Faculty Research Excellence (top researcher – faculty voted). Ryan holds graduate degrees from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, the University of Delaware’s Joseph R. Biden School of Public Policy and Administration, and Saint Joseph’s University. He earned his BA from Penn State University, where he attended on a Marine-Option Naval ROTC scholarship, and subsequently commissioned into the Marine Corps.
Dr. Burke teaches classes on international security studies, military power projection, military affairs, and defense policy. He researches, publishes, and speaks on a range of topics including polar region security issues, homeland defense, civil-military relations, and conflict in weak states. He also owns a patent for a soft anti-ballistics composite armor and conducts research in materials science. Dr. Burke has worked with the U.S. Senate on defense legislative and policy matters; authored sections of DoD’s Arctic strategy; and has represented the United States overseas in international diplomatic dialogue sessions with Russia and China on Arctic security matters.
Prior to his academic pursuits, Ryan was a U.S. Marine Corps officer where he served as a platoon commander and company commander during his fleet tour. He then served as the Deputy Marine Officer Instructor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Naval ROTC unit teaching naval science courses. After leaving the Marines due to a combat-related injury, he worked as a Senior Consultant and Defense Analyst for Booz Allen Hamilton supporting Department of Defense projects in the Pentagon and with the Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, VA.
Dr. Burke continues to participate in U.S. military training and operations both domestically and abroad as a DOD civilian via his research engagements. He has completed USMC Mountain Warfare Training and USAF Arctic Survival Training among many others. Additionally, Dr. Burke conducts embedded fieldwork in conflict zones and extreme climates, working in the Middle East, the Sahel, Eastern Europe, South America, the Arctic, and Antarctica, among other locations. He is also an experienced mountaineer and Fellow with The Explorers Club, having climbed multiple 6000(+) meter peaks; recorded first ascents of multiple Antarctic peaks; and conducted ski crossings of previously unmapped glacial terrain on the Antarctic Plateau.
Education
Ph.D., University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
M.P.A., Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
M.S., Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA.
B.A., Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
Professional Experience
Academic Positions and Affiliations
Research Director, Homeland Defense Institute, USAFA + USNORTHCOM, USAF Academy, CO (2021-2024)
Co-Director, Project 6633, Modern War Institute, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, West Point, NY (2021-Present)
Affiliate Professor, University of Alaska – Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK (2021-Present)
Visiting Scholar, Northwestern University (2021-Present)
Professor, U.S. Air Force Academy, USAF Academy, CO (2021-Present)
Associate Professor, U.S. Air Force Academy, USAF Academy, CO (2018-2021)
Assistant Professor, U.S. Air Force Academy, USAF Academy, CO (2015-2018)
Post-Doctoral Researcher, University of Delaware, Newark, DE (2015)
Instructor, University of Delaware, Newark, DE (2015)
University Research Fellow, University of Delaware, Newark, DE (2014-2015)
Research Assistant, University of Delaware, (2013-2014)
PhD Student/Candidate, University of Delaware, Newark, DE (2012-2015)
Adjunct Instructor, Wilmington University, New Castle, DE (2012-2015)
Naval Science Instructor, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (2010-2011)
Professional / Military Experience
Senior Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton, Pentagon / Quantico, VA (2011-2012)
Deputy Marine Officer Instructor, University of Pennsylvania (USMC) (2010-2011)
Company Commander (USMC) (2009-2010)
Platoon Commander (USMC) (2008-2009)
Honors & Awards
Defense Security Cooperation University, Charles Young Research, Analysis, and Lessons Learned Institute, “Formal and Informal Security Assistance: Improving Western lethal and nonlethal aid and training programs amidst Strategic Competition” ($235,945)
Robert F. McDermott Award for Faculty Research Excellence in the Social Sciences, (top researcher award; faculty voted), USAFA (2024)
Cryosphere Foundation, Polar Research, Awareness, and Advocacy Program, “Antarctic Expedition Field Research,” $210,000, (2023-2024).
Department of Defense, Minerva Research Initiative – Defense Education and Civilian University Research (DECUR) Partnership, “Foreign Military Training: Building Effective Armed Forces in Weak States,” $382,897 (2020-2025)
Air Force Office of Scientific Research, “Linking Science and Security: Towards a NOAA-DOD Partnership for National Defense,” $9,998 (2022-2023)
Co-Inventor, U.S. Patent 11,519,698, Soft Anti-Ballistics Composite, (with Hayley Weir), (2022)
Government of Canada, Department of National Defence, Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security, “Special Forces in the High North” $47,324 (2021-2022)
William H. Heiser Award for Outstanding Senior Faculty Educator (top professor award; cadet voted), USAFA (2021)
Robert F. McDermott Award for Faculty Research Excellence in the Social Sciences, (top researcher award; faculty voted), USAFA (2021)
Elected Board Member, International Security (Section 19), American Political Science Association (APSA) / International Studies Association (ISA), 2020 – Present
Non-Resident Fellow, Modern War Institute at West Point, (2019-2020; 2020-2021)
Air Force Office of Scientific Research, “The Polar Pivot: Great Power Competition in the Arctic and Antarctica,” $19,358 (2020-2021)
Air Force Institute of Technology, “Assessing Anti-Ballistics Capabilities of Non-Newtonian Fluids and Composites,” $100,000 (2018-2020)
Erwin E. Bleckley and Harold E. Goettler Outstanding Instructor in Military and Strategic Studies, U.S. Air Force Academy (2018-2019)
Selected Participant, Columbia University Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies, Summer Workshop on Analysis of Military Operations and Strategy (SWAMOS), Hosted at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2018)
Outstanding Academy Educator, U.S. Air Force Academy (2017-2018)
Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate, Center of Innovation, “Assessing Anti-Ballistics Capabilities of Non-Newtonian Fluids and Aramid Fiber Composites,” $14,500 (2017)
Selected Participant, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, Phillip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies Basin Harbor Teachers’ Workshop, Basin Harbor, VT (2017)
United States Marine Corps Systems Command, “Assessing Anti-Ballistics Capabilities of Non Newtonian Fluids and Fiber Composites,” $7,000 (2016-2017)
Allen E. Dorn Award, U.S. Air Force Academy, Outstanding Researcher of the Year (2016-2017)
Department of Defense, Postdoctoral Fellowship, Strategic Studies Institute – External Research Associates Program, “Investigating the Benefits and Drawbacks of Realigning the National Guard under the Department of Homeland Security,” $29,248, (2015)
University Dissertation Fellowship, University of Delaware. $36,000 (2014–2015)
Winning Essay, Annual Essay Competition, Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) (2014)
Winning Essay, Graduate Student Case Study Competition, American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), Center for Accountability and Performance (2014)
Department of Defense, Strategic Studies Institute – External Research Associates Program, “Towards a Unified Military Response: Hurricane Sandy and the Dual Status Commander,” $18,000 (2013-2014)
Department of Defense, Strategic Studies Institute – External Research Associates Program, “Maturing Defense Support of Civil Authorities through the Lens of Process Improvement,” $18,000 (2013-2014)
Academic Merit Scholarship, Biden School of Public Policy and Administration, University of Delaware (2013)
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2011)
Homeland Security Award (top overall graduate), Criminal Justice and Public Safety Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, Saint Joseph’s University (2011)
Alpha Epsilon Lambda, National Graduate Honor Society (2011)
Alpha Phi Sigma, National Criminal Justice Honor Society (2007)
Honor Graduate, USMC Officer Candidates School (2006)
General Society of the War of 1812 Outstanding ROTC Student Award (2005)
Research and Scholarly Interests
Polar Regions – defense, security, military affairs
Security Force Assistance in Weak States
Civil-military relations
Domestic military operations
Publications
Books
Ryan Burke, The Polar Pivot: Great Power Competition in the Arctic and Antarctica, (Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2022). ISBN: 978-1-62637-994-7
Ryan Burke, Michael Fowler, & Jahara Matisek, Eds. Military Strategy, Joint Operations, and Airpower: An Introduction (2nd Edition). (Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2022). ISBN: 9781647122508
Ryan Burke, Michael Fowler, & Kevin McCaskey, Eds. Military Strategy, Joint Operations, and Airpower: An Introduction. (Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2018). ISBN: 9781626166233.
Ryan Burke and Sue McNeil, Investigating the Benefits and Drawbacks of Realigning the National Guard Under the Department of Homeland Security, (Carlisle: U.S. Army War College Press, 2016). Strategic Studies Institute. ISBN 1-58487-730-8.
Ryan Burke and McNeil, Sue, Towards a Unified Military Response: Hurricane Sandy and the Dual Status Commander, (Carlisle: U.S. Army War College Press, 2015). Strategic Studies Institute. ISBN 1-58487-677-8.
Ryan Burke and Sue McNeil, Maturing Defense Support of Civil Authorities and the Dual Status Commander through the Lens of Process Improvement, (Carlisle: U.S. Army War College Press, 2015). Strategic Studies Institute. ISBN 1-58487-673-5.
Dissertation
Burke, Ryan, “The Dual Status Commander and Hurricane Sandy: Maturing Military Response With Process Improvement,” (July 2015) Proquest, #3718321, Dissertation. Proquest LLC, Ann Arbor, MI.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Burke, Ryan., & Jahra Matisek, “Trump(ing) Tradition: Old Laws, New Norms, and the Danger to Civil–Military Relations.” Armed Forces & Society, 51(3), 794-814. (2025).
Carlson, Cameron, Bouffard, Troy, Burke, Ryan “Defining Pacing Threats and Challenges to Homeland Defense and Security,” Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, 7(4): 3-11, 2024.
Burke, Ryan, “Towards an Antarctic Security and Defense Forum,” The Polar Journal, 13(1): 6-12, 2023.
Morton, James and Ryan Burke, “Special Operations Forces and the Arctic Indigenous People: Partnering to Defend the North American Arctic Homeland,” Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, 5(5): 137-150, 2022.
Burke, Ryan and Jahara Matisek, “The Soft path to U.S. Hegemony in the 21st Century: An American Brain Drain Policy Against Strategic Competitors,” Global Security and Intelligence Studies, 7(1): 73-83, 2022.
Burke, Ryan and Jahara Matisek, “The Polar Trap: America’s Bi-Polar Power Problem” (with Jahara Matisek), Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, 4(7): 33-66, 2021.
Burke, Ryan and Olivia Cretella, “Towards a Strategic Value Proposition: Redefining 21st Century Defense Priority Assessments,” Over the Horizon Journal, April 2021.
Burke, Ryan, “The Uncommon Defense Policy: History, Evolution, and Future Directions.” Journal of Policy History, 33(2): 205-229, April 2021.
Burke, Ryan and Jahara Matisek, “The Illogical Logic of American Entanglement in the Middle East.” Journal of Strategic Security, 13(1): 1-25. March 2020.
Matisek, Jahara and Ryan Burke, “The ‘Goldilocks Zone’ of War and Peace,” Journal of Character and Leadership Development, 7(1): 112-123. February 2020.
Burke, Ryan and Jahara Matisek, “The American Polar Pivot: Gaining a Comparative Advantage for the 21st Century Great Power Competition,” Marine Corps University Journal., 10(2): 70-91. October 2019.
Burke, Ryan, “Challenging Command and Control: A Rejoinder to Anonymous Commentary,” International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters, 37(2): 130-137. August 2019.
Burke, Ryan, “Command and Control: Challenging Fallacies of the ‘Military Model’ in Research and Practice,” International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters, 36(2): 149-178. September 2018.
Burke, Ryan, “Lessons from Katrina: Commanding the Military during Disaster Response – Then and Now,” International Journal of Emergency Management, 12(3): 221-240. September 2016.
Burke, Ryan, “Same Objectives, Different Perspectives: Assessing the Civil-Military Culture Gap in Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response”, Peace and Stability Journal, Volume 4, Issue 3, May 2014, pp. 16-24, Peace Keeping and Stability Operations Institute: Carlisle Barracks, PA.
Book Chapters
Burke, Ryan and Jahara Matisek, “Operationalizing Joint Force capabilities and priorities for growing problem sets in the Arctic Region,” in “Defending NATO’s Northern Flank: Power Projection and Military Operations,” Eds. Lon Stroud and Njord Wegge, (Routledge), Ch. 10, September 2023.
Burke, Ryan and Kyleanne Hunter, “The US Marine Corps and Expeditionary Power Projection” in Military Strategy, Joint Operations, and Airpower: An Introduction (2nd Edition). Ch. 7., pp. 73-81. Georgetown University Press. Eds: Ryan Burke, Mike Fowler, Jahara Matisek. June 2022.
Burke, Ryan and Robert Grant, “Operational Design as a Framework for Strategic Understanding and Agility” in Military Strategy, Joint Operations, and Airpower: An Introduction (2nd Edition). Ch. 19., pp. 205-215. Georgetown University Press. Eds: Ryan Burke, Mike Fowler, Jahara Matisek. June 2022.
Burke, Ryan and Michael Fowler, “Analyzing Centers of Gravity” in Military Strategy, Joint Operations, and Airpower: An Introduction (2nd Edition). Ch. 21., pp. 226-235. Georgetown University Press. Eds: Ryan Burke, Mike Fowler, Jahara Matisek. June 2022.
Burke, Ryan, “Building Lines of Effort to Link Ends, Ways, and Means” in Military Strategy, Joint Operations, and Airpower: An Introduction (2nd Edition). Ch. 22., pp. 235-243. Georgetown University Press. Eds: Ryan Burke, Mike Fowler, Jahara Matisek. June 2022.
Burke, Ryan, “Introduction” in Military Strategy, Joint Operations, and Airpower: An Introduction (2nd Edition). pp. 1-9. Georgetown University Press. Eds: Ryan Burke, Mike Fowler, Jahara Matisek. June 2022.
Burke, Ryan, “Conclusion” in Military Strategy, Joint Operations, and Airpower: An Introduction (2nd Edition). pp. 243-247. Georgetown University Press. Eds: Ryan Burke, Mike Fowler, Jahara Matisek. June 2022.
Burke, Ryan, “Operational Design: One Method of Reconciling Ends, Means, and Ways” in Military Strategy, Joint Operations, and Airpower: An Introduction. Ch. 3., pp. 33-53. Georgetown University Press. Eds: Ryan Burke, Mike Fowler, Kevin McCaskey. September 2018.
Burke, Ryan, “Expanding DoD Missions and Mission Creep” in Military Strategy, Joint Operations, and Airpower: An Introduction. Ch. 19., pp. 245-260. Georgetown University Press. Eds: Ryan Burke, Mike Fowler, Kevin McCaskey. September 2018.
Burke, Ryan, “Conclusion” in Military Strategy, Joint Operations, and Airpower: An Introduction. pp. 306-310. Georgetown University Press Eds: Ryan Burke, Mike Fowler, Kevin McCaskey. September 2018.
Burke, Ryan, “Preface and Acknowledgements” in Military Strategy, Joint Operations, and Airpower: An Introduction, pp. xi-xv. Georgetown University Press, 2018. Eds: Ryan Burke, Mike Fowler, Kevin McCaskey.
McNeil, Sue, Trimbath, Susanne, Atique, Farzana, and Burke, Ryan, “Predictive Analytics for Infrastructure Performance,” in Organizational Productivity and Performance Measurements Using Predictive Modeling and Analytics. September 2017, Ch. 1., pp. 1-16. Eds: Madjid Tavana, Kathryn Szabat, and Kartikeya Puranam. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-0654-6.ch001.
National Competitions – Winning Essays
Burke, Ryan, “Out with the Old, In with the New: Embracing Dual Status Commanders in the Future of Homeland Defense and Security,” Homeland Security Digital Library, Annual Essay Competition Issue, June 2014, pp. 11-20, Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security: Monterey, CA.
Burke, Ryan, “Measuring NORTHCOM: Performance Measurement in Civil Support and Homeland Defense,” ASPA Center for Accountability and Performance WordPress Online, Presented at the American Society for Public Administration Annual Conference, March 2014, Washington, D.C.
Conference Papers
Reno, Will and Ryan Burke, “Uniformed NGOs: Contradictions of Foreign Military Training,” Conference Proceedings for the International Studies Association (ISA) 2021 Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV. April 2021.
Burke, Ryan, “Defense Policy in Teaching and Scholarship: Necessary Yet Neglected,” Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) Fall Research Conference, Denver, CO. November 2019.
Burke, Ryan and Jahara Matisek, “The American Polar Pivot: Gaining a Comparative Advantage in Great Power Competition,” International Studies Association (ISA) International Security Studies Section (ISSS) Conference, University of Denver, Denver, CO. October 2019.
Burke, Ryan “Command and Control: Challenging Fallacies of the ‘Military Model’ in Humanitarian Intervention,” International Security Studies Section (ISSS) Annual Conference, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. November 2018.
McNeil, Sue, Farzana Atique, Ryan Burke, Susanne Trimbath, “Using the Transportation Performance Index to Understand the Impact of Regional Plans,” Transportation and Development Institute Congress, pp. 641-648. June 2014.
Burke, Ryan, “Measuring NORTHCOM: Performance Measurement in Civil Support and Homeland Defense,” American Society for Public Administration National Conference. Washington, DC. March 2014.
Technical Reports
Morton, James, Troy Bouffard, Ryan Burke, Leah Sarson, and P. Whitney Lackenbauer, “Special Operations Forces and the Arctic: Meeting North America’s 21st Century Security Needs,” Department of National Defence (Canada) – Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) Project, September 2022.
Burke, Ryan, “Geography Matters: Key Interests in Future Global Competition and Conflict, ”Department of Defense, Joint Staff Strategic Multilayer Assessment (SMA) Future of Great Power Competition & Conflict Project, April 2019.
McNeil, Sue, Atique, Farzana, Burke, Ryan, Yin, Hong, and Adu-Gyamfi, Yaw, “Better State-of-Good-Repair Indicators for the Transportation Performance Index,” Final Report, Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation, Report No. CAIT-UTC-008, July 2014, pp. 1-47.
McNeil, Sue, Atique, Farzana, Burke, Ryan, Yin, Hong, Adu-Gyamfi, Yaw, and Trimbath, Susanne, “Updating the Transportation Performance Index: Technical Report,” US Chamber of Commerce, 2014, Washington DC.
McNeil, Sue, Susanne Trimbath, and Farzana Atique, Ryan Burke, “TPI Update 2013: Data for 2010, 2011,” Final Report to US Chamber of Commerce. 2014
Policy Commentary and Analysis
“Lessons from the Pentagon’s Empty Case Against Mark Kelly,” Just Security, May 11, 2026.
“Hegseth’s Intellectual Purge is an Insult to His Officer Corps,” Just Security, May 4, 2026.
“Enough With the ‘Department of War’ Nonsense,” Real Clear Defense, April 27, 2026.
“Arctic Hot Takes Need a Cold Reality Check,” War on the Rocks, February 25, 2026.
“The Hegseth Hazard: Keep Politics out of Defense,” Real Clear Defense, October 14, 2025.
Burke, Ryan, Andrea Charron, and Michael Paul, “Trump 2.0’s Arctic Opportunity: Thawing Frozen Dialogue,” Wilson Center, March 11, 2025.
Burke, Ryan, “Trump’s Greenland Gambit Is a Masterclass in Statecraft,” Real Clear Defense, February 12, 2025.
Burke, Ryan and Jahara Matisek, “American Flag Officers Don’t Get It: Sliding Civil-Military Relations Norms,” Real Clear Defense, June 14, 2024.
Burke, Ryan, “Ukraine and the Case for a ‘Pay for Peace’ Strategy,” The Defense Post, February 20, 2024.
Burke, Ryan and Kristen Heiserman, “Partnering for Defense: Arctic Domain Awareness,” Real Clear Defense, November 29, 2023.
Bouffard, Troy and Ryan Burke, “The U.S. Arctic Strategic Evolution: Advancing Regional Capabilities and Intent,” The Watch Magazine, July 2023.
Burke, Ryan, “Active Duty Military Forces are Heading to the Border: What Can They Legally Do There?” Modern War Institute, May 10, 2023.
Burke, Ryan and Adrienne Hopper, “Fear, Honor, and Interest in the Arctic: The Case for Realism and Transactional Balancing,” Modern War Institute, December 21, 2022.
Heiserman, Kristen and Ryan Burke, “White Hulls in the North: The Case for Tapping Unused Federal Resources in the Arctic,” Modern War Institute, December 12, 2022.
Burke, Ryan “Trade Troubles: Do We Still Need the WTO?” The Diplomat, September 2, 2022.
Burke, Ryan, “Arctic Commitment Act Requires Different Commitments,” The Hill, August 10, 2022.
Hopper, Adrienne and Ryan Burke, “Bridging the Gap: How the United States Can Immediately Address its Arctic Capability Limitations,” Modern War Institute, June 22, 2022.
Buchanan, Elizabeth and Ryan Burke, “Naughty or Nice: 2021 Arctic Edition,” Modern War Institute, December 23, 2021.
Burke, Ryan, “Break Glass in Case of Emergency – But Not for Climate Change,” The Hill, July 29, 2021.
Burke, Ryan and Cameron Carlson, “Operationalizing the Arctic,” Modern War Institute, July 13, 2021.
Buchanan, Elizabeth and Ryan Burke, “Project 6633: A Hard Security Forum Bridging the Military-Academia Polar Divide,” Arctic Circle Journal, May 21, 2021.
Burke, Ryan and Buchanan, Elizabeth, “Adapting to the Cold, Hard Facts of Polar Security: Advice for the Biden Administration,” Modern War Institute, January 26, 2021.
Jacoby, Charles and Burke, Ryan, “Russia, China, and the Facts of Polar Security,” Modern War Institute, January 7, 2021.
Buchanan, Elizabeth and Burke, Ryan, “Strategy and Competition at the Ends of the Earth,” Modern War Institute, January 6, 2021.
Buchanan, Elizabeth and Burke, Ryan, “Introducing “Project 6633″—A Program On Arctic and Antarctic Security,” Modern War Institute, January 5, 2021.
Burke, Ryan, “The Hidden Dangers in Biden’s Foreign Policy,” Defense One, December 7, 2020.
Burke, Ryan and Jahara Matisek, “Can the Illogical Inertia of American Involvement in the Middle East be Broken?” Real Clear Defense, July 17, 2020.
Burke, Ryan, “Trump Could Use the Military to Restore Calm – and Advance his Political Agenda,” The Hill, June 4, 2020.
Burke, Ryan, “Trump’s ‘super duper’ missile is super duper necessary,” The Hill, May 19, 2020.
Burke, Ryan, “Great-Power Competition in the ‘Snow of Far-Off Northern Lands’: Why We Need a New Approach to Arctic Security,” Modern Ware Institute, April 8, 2020.
Burke, Ryan, “The ‘War’ on COVID-19 Doesn’t Mean Military Lockdown,” The Hill, March 20, 2020.
Burke, Ryan, “Trump’s Interest in Greenland is a Wakeup Call about Arctic Influence,” The Hill, August 27, 2019.
Burke, Ryan, “The ‘Trump Card’: Using the Insurrection Act at the Border,” The Hill, June 5, 2019.
Burke, Ryan, “Defend or Depart: Ambiguity Jeopardizes U.S. Border Mission,” The Hill, May 3, 2019.
Burke, Ryan, “Trump’s National Emergency: The Writing Was on the Wall,” The Hill, February 21, 2019.
Burke, Ryan and Jahara Matisek, “Executive Orders and Troops on the Border: Political Norms and the Securitization of American Problems,” Modern War Institute, February 15, 2019.
Burke, Ryan, “No Border Wall Money May Mean More Border Troops,” The Hill, December 20, 2018.
Burke, Ryan, “Trump Chooses Words Carefully Regarding Border – for a Reason,” The Hill, December 2, 2018.
Burke, Ryan, “What the Armed Forces Can, Can’t, and Might Do at the Border,” Modern War Institute, November 20, 2018.
Invited Talks
Atlantic Council – Indo-Pacific Security Initiative, “A Framework for U.S.-Japan Cooperation in the Arctic,” Washington D.C.
Geneva Centre for Security Policy, “Greenland, the United States, and the Future of NATO,” Geneva, Switzerland.
The Polish Institute of International Affairs, “The Arctic – A Theater of New Geopolitical Competition?” Warsaw, Poland.
Geneva Centre for Security Policy, “The State of the Arctic – Present and Future,” Geneva, Switzerland.
Geneva Centre for Security Policy, “Arctic Politics and Policies: Challenges and Opportunities for Trump 2.0,” Geneva, Switzerland.
Association of Former Intelligence Officers – Rocky Mountain Chapter, “The Polar Pivot: Great Power Competition in the Arctic and Antarctica,” Monument, CO.
Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, Visiting Speaker Series, “Military Activities in Antarctica – Then and Now,” Union Glacier Camp, Antarctica.
Cold Weather Operations Center – Opening Keynote Panel, Setting the Arctic Security Scene, Oslo, Norway.
United States Northern Command – Keynote Presentation to the J4 – Logistics Directorate’s Senior Leadership Development Day, “Challenges in Arctic Logistics,” Colorado Springs, CO.
Norwegian Defence College, “Operationalizing Joint Force Capabilities and Priorities for Growing Problem Sets in the Arctic Region,” (with Jahara Matisek), Tromso, Norway.
United States Northern Command – Homeland Defense Awareness Symposium, “21st Century Arctic Security: Challenges and Opportunities,” Colorado Springs, CO.
Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, “Foreign Military Training: Building Effective Armed Forces in Weak States,” (with Jahara Matisek), Baghdad, Iraq.
Institute for the Study of War, “Competing in the Arctic: Deploying, Surviving, & Operating In Extreme Environments” Washington, DC.
Geneva Center for Security Policy – Diplomatic Dialogue Sessions, High North Talks, “The Polar Pivot: Strategic Competition in the Arctic” Geneva, Switzerland.
Colorado National Guard Annual Leadership Symposium, “Domestic Operations in the Contemporary Environment” (Day 1 opening keynote), Highlands Ranch, CO.
Colorado National Guard Annual Leadership Symposium, “Arctic Defense and Security: Emerging Strategic Competition in the High North” Highlands Ranch, CO.
United States Northern Command – Arctic EDGE Initial Planning Conference, “NOAA and DOD for Arctic Domain Awareness” Colorado Springs, CO.
Special Operations Command North Arctic Symposium, “Special Operations Forces in the Arctic: Meeting North America’s 21st Century Security Needs” Colorado Springs, CO.
Denver University, Korbel School of International Studies, Invited Guest Lecturer, “The Polar Pivot: Strategic Competition in the Arctic and Antarctica” Introduction to Homeland Security (Graduate course), Denver, CO.
Rocky Mountain Military Affairs Society, “The Polar Pivot: Strategic Competition in the Arctic and Antarctica” Colorado Springs, CO.
Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, “RUSI’s Russia in the World Programme: Russia as a Polar Power” Online.
United States Air Force Academy Outstanding Academy Educator Awards – Heiser Winner Keynote Address, “Be Their Choice” USAF Academy, CO.
University of Alaska – Fairbanks, Center for Arctic Security and Resilience, “Special Operations Forces in the 21st Century Arctic” Fairbanks, AK.
Joint Special Operations University, “Arctic Strategy: Exploring New Perspectives on the Arctic” Cambridge, MA.
Institute for Future Conflict Speaker Series, U.S. Air Force Academy, “The Arctic and the Future Fight” USAF Academy, CO.
Denver University, Korbel School of International Studies, Invited Guest Lecturer, “The Arctic Avenue of Approach: Homeland Defense and Security in the High North,” Introduction to Homeland Security (Graduate course), Denver, CO.
U.S. Navy NIMITZ PSU 4, “On Thin Ice: Great Power Competition in the Arctic and Antarctica” Colorado Springs, CO.
U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Squadron 11 Monthly Leadership Speaker Series, “Leadership Lessons with Dr. Burke” USAF Academy, CO.
U.S. Air Force of Scientific Research 2020 Annual Program Review, U.S. Air Force Academy Research Highlights, “The Polar Pivot: Great Power Competition in the Arctic and Antarctica” Washington, DC.
U.S. Air Force of Scientific Research 2020 Annual Trust and Influence Portfolio Review, Defense Education Civilian University Research Partnership, “Foreign Military Training: Building Effective Armed Forces in Weak States” Washington, DC.
U.S. Army 10th Special Forces Group, “Uncommon Missions with a Common Purpose: Bridging the Gap between Support and Defense of the Homeland,” Colorado Springs, CO.
Rocky Mountain Military Affairs Society, “The Polar Trap: America’s Bi-Polar Problem,” Colorado Springs, CO.
Denver University, Korbel School of International Studies, Graduate Course Guest Lecture, “Securitization through Militarization,” Introduction to Homeland Security, Denver, CO.
U.S. Northern Command, “Securitization through Militarization,” Joint Training Education and Academic Workshop, Colorado Springs, CO.
Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, “Troops on the Border: Securitization of American Sovereignty,” presentation at the Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship (EPIIC) Symposium hosted by the Institute for Global Leadership, Medford, MA.
Thunderstorm 18-2 Technology Expo, “Innovation Armor: The Future of Flexible Protection Systems” (with Hayley Weir), New York, NY.
Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate, Showcasing Innovation Event, Washington D.C., “Innovation Armor: The Future of Flexible Protection Systems” (with Hayley Weir), Washington, DC.
U.S. Northern Command, “Issues in Defense Support of Civil Authorities,” Joint Training Education and Academic Workshop, Colorado Springs, CO.
Innovation Discovery Event (IDE) Forum, “Innovation Discovery Event: Anti-Ballistics Soft Armor” Colorado Springs, CO.
Secretary of Education, Hon. Betsy Davos (presentation to), “Innovation Armor: The Future of Flexible Protection Systems,” USAF Academy, CO.
Defense Entrepreneurs’ Forum, Colorado Springs Chapter, “Inventing Armor: The Culture of Ideas and Innovation at the U.S. Air Force Academy,” Colorado Springs, CO.
Air Force Civil Engineer Center, “Assessing Anti-Ballistics Capabilities of Non-Newtonian Fluids and Aramid Fiber Composites,” (with Hayley Weir) Tyndall Air Force Base, FL.
United States Military Academy, Defense & Strategic Studies department, Invited Curriculum Consultant West Point, NY.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Higher Education Working Group Session, Invited Curriculum Consultant, Emmitsburg, MD.
Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) Lecture Series, University of Delaware, “Updating the Transportation Performance Index and Better State-of-Good-Repair Indicators.” (with Sue McNeil and Farzana Atique), Newark, DE
Conference Presentations
“Operationalizing Joint Force Capabilities and Priorities for Growing Problem Sets in the Arctic” Cold Weather Operations Center, November 2023, Oslo, Norway.
“Back from the Edge: Opportunities for Sustainability to Impact Environmental Security,” Pennsylvania State University Institute for Energy and the Environment, Climate Solutions Symposium, May 2023, University Park, PA.
“Uniformed NGOs: Contradictions of Foreign Military Training,” (with Will Reno) Conference Proceedings for the International Studies Association (ISA) 2021 Annual Conference, April 2021, Las Vegas, NV.
“Defense Policy in Teaching and Scholarship: Necessary Yet Neglected,” Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) Fall Research Conference, November 2019 Denver, CO.
“The American Polar Pivot: Gaining a Comparative Advantage in Great Power Competition.” Presented at the International Studies Association (ISA) International Security Studies Section (ISSS) Conference, University of Denver, October 2019, Denver, CO.
“Organization, Accountability, Effectiveness, and Efficiency in Civil-Military Relations.” Panel Discussant at the ISSS Conference, University of Denver, October 2019, Denver, CO.
“Defense and Foreign Policy Education for Future Military Leaders.” Presented at the International Visitor Leadership Program Symposium, April 2019, USAF Academy, CO.
“Command and Control: Challenging Fallacies of the ‘Military Model’ in Humanitarian Intervention.” Presented at the ISSS Conference, Purdue University, November 2018, West Lafayette, IN
“Nuclear Politics: Power, Deterrence, and Proliferation.” Panel Chair at the ISSS Conference, Purdue University, November 2018, West Lafayette, IN.
“Congressional Staff Delegation Briefing – National Security and Defense Policy Education at the Service Academies.” Presented to U.S. Congressional Staff Delegation representing House Armed Serviced Committee, U.S. Air Force Academy, November 2018, USAF Academy, CO
“Four Guardians: A Principled Agent View of American Civil-Military Relations.” Discussant for author’s post-publication book talk, U.S. Air Force Academy, November 2018, USAF Academy, CO.
“Defense Support of Civil Authorities: A Neglected Competency in Homeland Defense and Security Education.” Homeland Defense and Security Education Summit, October 2014, Colorado Springs, CO.
“Critical Vulnerability: Neglecting Defense Support of Civil Authorities in Homeland Security and Defense Education.” FEMA Emergency Management Institute Higher Education Symposium, June 2014, Emmittsburg, MD.
“Measuring NORTHCOM: Performance Measurement in Military Civil Support.” American Society for Public Administration Annual Conference, March 2014, Washington D.C.
“Maturing Defense Support of Civil Authorities: Superstorm Sandy and the Dual Status Commander.” Natural Hazards Center Annual Workshop, University of Colorado, June 2014, Boulder, CO.
“Two Teams, One Fight: Improving Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Response.” Disaster Research Center 50th Anniversary Conference and Symposium, University of Delaware, April 2014, Newark, DE.
Podcasts
Modern War Institute Podcast, “MWI Year in Review,” December, 2021
Krulak Center for Innovation and Future Warfare Podcast, “Inside Project 6633” May 2021
Modern War Institute Podcast, “Survival at the Top of the World,” Host, April 2021
Modern War Institute Podcast, “Special Operations in the High North,” Host, April 2021
Modern War Institute Podcast, “Security in the High Latitudes,” Guest, January 2021
Modern War Institute Podcast, “What Can the US Military do to Support the Covid-19 Response?” Guest, March 2020
Media Appearances
The New York Times, “Antarctica Faces Tense Future as U.S. Science Budget Shrinks”
The Christian Science Monitor, “National Guard takes new role aiding immigration operations in GOP states”
Reuters, “Trump plan to use military in deportations should stand up in court”
CIMSEC Podcast, “Integrating NOAA into DoD’s Arctic Operations”
Government Matters, “NOAA can help US military improve Arctic presence, says strategy professor,”
University of Delaware Daily (UDaily), ”Public Policy Excellence”
Weekendavisen, “The High Voltage North”
NBC News, “Cuomo Calls for Construction of Field Hospitals to Combat Coronavirus Crisis.”
Fox News Channel, Special Report with Brett Baier
Fox News Channel, America’s Newsroom
Fox Business Channel, Daily Top Stories
NBC 9 News Denver, NEXT
ABC 13 Colorado Springs, Top Stories
Business Insider, “An Air Force Academy cadet created a bullet-stopping goo to use for bodyarmor”
LinkedIn, “Goo That Can Stop Bullets Invented by Air Force Cadet”
The Air Force Times, “Air Force Academy cadet creates goo that stops bullets”
Composites Manufacturing Magazine, “Air Force Cadet Creates Composite-Inspired Goo That Stops Bullets”
Military.com, “Air Force Academy Cadet’s Gravy-Like Goo Is a Bullet-Stopping Marvel”
Task and Purpose, “Air Force Academy Cadet Invents Goo That Can Literally Stop Bullets”
Colorado Springs Gazette, “Air Force Academy cadet’s gravy-like goo is a bullet-stopping marvel”
U.S. Air Force Academy, “Cadet, Professor Improve Body Armor Technology”
Air Force Civil Engineering Center, “USAFA cadet develops potential life-saving material”