Dr. Michael Sharnoff is an Associate Professor at the National Defense University’s Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, where he develops and leads security-focused programs and engagements to advance collective security and regional cooperation across the Middle East and North Africa.
Current Role
In his current position at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, Dr. Sharnoff designs programs for government and civilian leaders to address shared security challenges across the MENA region. He leads engagements that support capacity building, strengthen strategic ties between the United States and the Lebanese Armed Forces, and build trust through Track 1.5 and Track 2 dialogues.
Teaching
Dr. Sharnoff has taught at Georgetown University and has guest lectured at Yarmouk University, High Point University, and American and Middle Eastern defense institutions. Prior to joining NESA, he served as Associate Professor of Middle East Studies and Director of Regional Studies at the Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security. While at DMGS, he taught graduate courses on the Arab-Israeli conflict and the history and politics of the modern Middle East.
Research and Publications
His current research examines the political history and visual culture of the modern Middle East through postage stamps, exploring how Arab states and Iran have used philatelic imagery to construct narratives of territory, national identity, legitimacy, and conflict. Dr. Sharnoff’s articles and editorials have appeared in Foreign Policy, Al Arabiya, Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, The Washington Post, Contemporary Review of the Middle East, Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Middle Eastern Studies and the British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, among other outlets.
For a selection of his work, visit the Publications and Speaking pages.
Education
Dr. Sharnoff holds a Ph.D. in Middle East Studies from King’s College, London.
To reach Dr. Sharnoff, please use the Get in Touch page.
