The AfPak Expert Group at the Truman National Security Project cordially invites you to:

"Everything You Wanted To Ask A Senior ISAF Official But Couldn't While He Was Official"

An intimate discussion with Mark Jacobson

Deputy NATO Senior Civilian Representative to Afghanistan and ISAF Director of International Affairs, recently returned from assignment in Kabul

Wednesday, August 3rd

7:00 - 8:30 PM

Stewart R. Mott House, Capitol Hill

 122 Maryland Ave NE

Light refreshments served

Please RSVP here

Mark R. Jacobson currently serves as the Deputy NATO Senior Civilian Representative (SCR) to Afghanistan and the ISAF Director of International Affairs (INTAF) in Kabul, Afghanistan. In this role he helps to implement the political aspects of NATO’s assistance mission in Afghanistan as part of a comprehensive approach by the international community. He is also advises Commander, ISAF (COMISAF) on the political-military aspects of the campaign. Dr. Jacobson arrived in Afghanistan in August 2009 and initially served as the Deputy Political Advisor to COMISAF.

From 2007-2009 Dr. Jacobson worked at the Senate Armed Services Committee and has previously served as a National Security fellow in the U.S. Senate and on the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security. From 2003-2005 he was a Visiting Scholar for International Security and Public Policy at The Ohio State University where he taught courses on terrorism, intelligence, and national security. Prior to this Jacobson served in a number of positions at Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) including as the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Policy, an advisor at the Joint Staff Directorate for Special Operations, and as an OSD Presidential Management Fellow.
In 1993 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and deployed in 1996 as part of the NATO Peace Implementation Force (IFOR) in Bosnia. In 2001 Jacobson accepted a commission in the U.S. Navy Reserve where he has since trained as a defense attaché and strategic debriefer. In 2006 he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, ISAF Special Operations Forces, and the U.S. Embassy.

Jacobson is a frequent speaker and writer on foreign affairs and national defense topics and has appeared on various national and international news programs. He is an active advocate for the development of young professionals interested in public service and serves as a Senior Fellow / Advisor at the Truman National Security Project.

Jacobson holds a Ph.D. in Military History and Strategic Studies from The Ohio State University, an M.A. in War Studies from the Department of War Studies, King’s College, London, and a B.A. in History from the University of Michigan.