Thomas P. Mahnken is a research assistant whose work focuses on military history and innovation. Prior to joining CSBA, Thomas P. Mahnken served as an intern in the Security Cooperation Directorate (J55) of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. There, he supported INDOPACOM’s cooperative efforts by helping compile the directorate’s monthly Security Cooperation Officer report, as well as by assisting in writing Country Security Cooperation Plans for regional partners.
Mr. Mahnken is a member of the Alexander Hamilton Society’s Professional Chapter. He was previously a fellow in the 2023 RRI-AHS National Defense Fellowship. He graduated from the College of William & Mary with B.A. degrees in History and International Relations. His thesis in history explored the strategic, arms control, and technological forces that shaped the U.S. Navy’s buildup between the two world wars. His thesis in international relations explored alternative explanations for trends in Chinese violations of Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone between 2020 and the present.
Education
B.A. in History and International Relations
College of William & Mary