Isaac Kfir is an Associate Professor of International Relations at the Institute for International Strategy, Tokyo International University (TIU), Japan. He received an M.A. from the University of Kent and a Ph.D. (1999) in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in the UK.

Before joining TIU, Dr. Kfir was a Visiting Assistant Professor of Law and International Relations at Syracuse University (2009-2016) and a former Associate Director of the Mapping Global Insecurities Project at the Moynihan Institute for Global Affairs, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University. At Syracuse University he taught graduate courses on international security, terrorism and national security, international law, post-conflict reconstruction, and the Middle East. Prior to joining Syracuse University, he was an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Security Studies, Raphael Racanati International School, the Interdisciplinary Centre (IDC), Herzliya, Israel. At the IDC, he taught graduate and undergraduate courses on security studies, peacekeeping, the Middle East, post-conflict reconstruction, and other courses.

Dr. Kfir’s Ph.D. dissertation examined U.S. Foreign Policy under Ronald Reagan, specifically the impact of the ‘New Rights’ on the U.S. approach to the United Nations. He received a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) in 2000 and a Bar Vocational Certificate (BVC) in 2002, both from BPP Law School. He was also a member of Inner Temple.

Dr. Kfir has published extensively. His work has appeared in leading journals such as Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, Defense Studies, Contemporary Security Policy, and Comparative Strategy. He has drawn on his legal background to publish legal studies on women, gender, post-conflict reconstruction, and refugees and legal theory. This work has appeared in Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights, William & Mary Journal of Women and the Law, and University of Miami National Security and Armed Conflict Law Review. He has given many talks and conference papers and has been a member of the International Studies Association since 2009 and the International Studies Association Security Section since 2010. This involvement has allowed him to present countless conference papers and serve as discussants in numerous panels. He has also been invited to give talks at Cornell Institute for European Studies, Cornell University; New York Maxwell School, Syracuse University; Judith Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, Cornell University; University of Central Florida; as well as NATO’s Terrorism Center of Excellence.

Book Chapters

• 2013
• “Islam in Post-9/11 Pakistan: The role of education in heightening or diminishing Pakistan’s security dilemma.” In Barry Rubin (ed.), Islamic Political and Social Movements, NY: Routledge, Vol. I, pp. 1-20.
• 2011
• “U.S. policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan.” In Kim Ezra (ed.), Can America Maintain It’s Political, Military, and Economic Preeminence? Sixteen Key Challenges, Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press, pp. 177-196.
• 2008
• “The United Nations and the challenge of combating international terrorism.” In Centre of Excellence Defence against Terrorism (ed.), Legal Aspects of Combating Terrorism, Amsterdam: IOS Press, pp. 23-36.
• 2008
• “Islamic radicalism: The UK case.” In Centre of Excellence Defence against Terrorism (ed.), Legal Aspects of Combating Terrorism, Amsterdam: IOS Press, pp. 37-47.

Peer Reviewed Publication

• 2016
• “NATO and Putin’s Russia: Seeking to balance divergence and convergence [ comparative strategy].” (Forthcoming, Aug.)
• 2015
• “Refugeeship and natural law － the European Court of Human Rights.” Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights 33(4): 483-511. Springer-Verlag, Tokyo.
• 2015
• “A paradigm shift: NATO and counter terrorism, taking a human security approach.” Contemporary Security Policy 36(2): 219-243.
• 2015
• “Human insecurity, social movement and the case of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).” Studies in Conflict & Terrorism 28(4): 233-252.
• 2015
• “Is there still a need for NATO in the twenty-first century?” Comparative Strategy 34(1): 74-94.
• 2014
• “Sectarian violence in Pakistan: A major threat to Pakistan.” Studies in Conflict & Terrorism 37(6): 457-472.
• 2014
• “Trying to untangle the mystery of Afghanistan and Pakistan.” Millennium: Journal of International Studies 42(2): 526-531. (Review Essay)
• 2012
• “Peace-building in Afghanistan: A bridge too far?” Defense Studies 12(2): 149-178.
• 2008
• “Islamic radicalism in East Africa: Is there a cause for concern?” Studies in Conflict & Terrorism 31(9): 829-855.

Selected Other Publication

• 2015
• “The Morocco Truth Commission, balancing religion, realpolitik and idealism.” Impunity Watch 5: 21-50.
• 2014
• “Feminist legal theory as a way to explain the lack of progress of women’s rights in Afghanistan: The need for a state strength approach.” William & Mary Journal of Women and the Law 21(1): 87-152.
• 2014
• “A regime in need of a balance: The UN counter-terrorism regime between security and human rights.” University of Miami National Security and Armed Conflict Law Review IV: 7-47.
• 2012
• “Security, gender and post-conflict reconstruction: The need for a 'woman question' when engaging in reconstruction.” Texas Journal of Women & Gender 22(1): 71-112.
• 2012
• “Islam in post-9/11 Pakistan – The role of education in Pakistan’s security dilemma.” Middle East Review of International Affairs 16(1), http://www.rubincenter.org/2012/04/islam-in-post-911-pakistan-the-role-of-education-in-heightening-or-diminishing-pakistan%E2%80%99s-security-dilemma/
• 2009
• “U.S. policy toward Pakistan and Afghanistan under the Obama Administration.” Middle East Review of International Affairs 13(4): 20-33.
• 2009
• “The Role of the Pashtuns in understanding the Afghan Crisis.” Perspectives on Terrorism 3(4): 37-51.
• 2009
• “Southeast Asia, the United States and the war on terror: Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.” ORIENT 50(2): 36-47.
• 2008
• “The challenge that is AFRICOM.” Joint Forces Quarterly 49(2nd Quarter): 110-113.
• 2008
• “Pakistan and the challenge of Islamist terror: Where to next?” Middle East Review of International Affairs 12(4): 1-12.
• 2007
• “Islamic radicalism in Britain.” Alternative, Turkish Journal of International Affairs 6(3 & 4): 100-120.
• 2007
• “The crisis of Pakistan: A dangerous weak state.” Middle East Review of International Affairs 11(3): 75-88.
• 2006
• “Britain's response to 9/11 & the challenge of Islamic terrorism.” Middle East Review of International Affairs 10(4): 41-67.
• 2006
• “The paradox that is Pakistan: Both ally & enemy of terrorism.” Middle East Review of International Affairs 10(1): 74-84.