Matthew Schmidt, Ph.D.

Matthew Schmidt Headshot
Associate Professor

National Security Department/Homeland Security
College of Arts and Sciences
Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences
Education

Ph.D., Government, Georgetown University, 2011
M.A., Russian/East European Studies, University of Kansas, 2001
B.A., Government and Literature, Claremont McKenna College, 1998

About Matthew

An expert on strategic analysis in foreign affairs, U.S. politics, security, and military matters, University of New Haven Associate Professor of National Security and Political Science Matthew Schmidt, Ph.D., has taught strategic and operational planning at the Army’s Command and General Staff College, consulted on doctored maps of a downed Russian jet with the Senate Arms Services Committee, been a representative to Ukraine’s post-revolution presidential election, and visiting professor of stability operations at the Army War College. Dr. Schmidt was also named #22 on Fast Company’s list of the 100 most creative people in America for his work bringing design techniques from architecture into military planning.

An expert on defense and intelligence, Russia, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, Europe, and U.S. foreign policy in North Korea and elsewhere, he also was part of the core team on the Project on National Security Reform, an initiative sponsored by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, which recommended major reforms to the U.S. intelligence and national security community after 9/11. His work has given him deep insight into the political dynamics of these issues. He is the co-host of Impolitic, a podcast that examines current issues in politics, national security and international affairs.

Dr. Schmidt wrote one of the most widely-cited articles on the philosophy called "Eurasianism," to explain Putin’s strategic thinking. He argued in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs that "Putin Was the First Alt-President: How the New U.S. Administration Needs to Think about Russia" and that this helps frame his relationship to the U.S. (and to Trump) and is a key to understanding his policy to make Russia a resurgent Great Power.

Dr. Schmidt’s work encompasses the intersection of national politics and foreign policy, where he’s done extensive commentary on the U.S. political system. His childhood on a dairy farm in Kansas, his family's involvement in politics, and his experience with divided political systems overseas has made him a go-to source on understanding American political polarization.

Dr. Schmidt’s recent interviews include Yahoo! Finance, Washington Times, and an op-ed in Fortune, "The Capitol insurrectionists and ISIS have a lot in common." He holds a Ph.D. from Georgetown.

Recently Published Books and Articles

Putin Was the First Alt-President: How the New U.S. Administration Needs to Think about Russia, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs.

The Good Soldier: How Pompeo Will Shape the CIA, TheHill.

Will Electric Cars Turn the World Upside Down?, Newsweek.

Matthew J. Schmidt, The Habit of Strategy: Developing Strategic Leaders for Business and Government, TBP by Wiley.
A Science of Context: The Qualitative Approach as Fundamental to Strategic Thought, in Heather Wolters, Anna Grome, and Ryan Hinds, eds., Enhancing the Army's Strategic Thinking Capability, (U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences: 2013).

A 21st Century Eisenhower Obama's New New Look Defense Policy, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, Matters Military blog/column, November 20, 2012. (Link not available)

Why doesn't the Army want to be a real Army, and think about its actual tasks?, guest post on The Best Defense, Foreign Policy hosted blog by Pulitzer Prize Winner Tom Ricks, November 6, 2012, at:http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/11/06/why_doesnt_the_army_want_to_be_a_real_army_and_think_about_its_actual_tasks

Enemies Foreign and Domestic, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, Matters Military blog/column, August 28, 2012. (Link not available)

The Struggle to Deliver Justice in Afghanistan, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, Matters Military blog/column, July 26, 2012. (Link not available)

The Afghanistan War Report Part II: Blue State, Red State and the Road Ahead, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, Matters Military blog/column, April 30, 2012. (Link not available)

The Afghanistan War Report Part I: Looking back on Eleven Years, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, Matters Military blog/column, April 23, 2012. (Link not available)

The Next War, A Special Forces War, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, Matters Military blog/ column, January 10, 2012. (Link not available)

National Security Reform is Dead! Long Live National Security Reform?, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, Matters Military blog/column, December 13, 2011. (Link not available)

Doctrine 2015: The Army's What Now Moment, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, Matters Military blog/column, November 22, 2011. (Link not available)

MRAPs, Irregular Warfare, and Pentagon Reform, with Christopher J. Lamb, Joint Forces Quarterly, Issue 55, (4th Quarter 2009).

Christopher J. Lamb, Matthew J. Schmidt, and Berit G. Fitzsimmons. MRAPs, Irregular Warfare, and Pentagon Reform. Washington, D.C.: Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University Press, 2009.

Alex Ryan (Lead), Peter Schifferle, Michael Stewart, Alice Butler-Smith, Matthew Schmidt, John Rochelle, George Webb (Core Team), Bruce Stanley, Andrew Johnson, Michael Hutchens (Subject Matter Experts). Art of Design, Student Text, Version 2.0. Leavenworth, KS: School of Advanced Military Studies, 2009.

Project on National Security Reform. Forging a New Shield. Arlington, VA: Center for the Study of the Presidency, Project on National Security Reform, 2008.

Future Security Drivers and Trends - 2050, Project on National Security Reform, Institute for National Security Studies, white paper, 2008.

Description of the Current National Security System of the United States, Preliminary Findings, Project on National Security Reform, Institute for National Security Studies, white paper, 2008.

Forging a New Shield. Arlington, VA: Center for the Study of the Presidency, Project on National Security Reform, 2008. Christopher J. Lamb (Lead), James Douglas Orton, Matt Shabat, Matthew Schmidt, Rei Tang, David Tucker (Core Team).

Is Putin Pursuing a Eurasianist Foreign Policy,? Demokratizatsiya, (Winter 2004-05). What the Hunt for Red October Can Tell Us about a Culture-Centric Approach to Warfare, Proceedings, U.S. Naval Institute, October 2006.

News and In the Media

In the Media

BBC News: Russia to broaden scope for use of nuclear weapons

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of homeland security, national security, political science, and international affairs, discusses the risks of Ukraine shooting U.S. weapons into Russia and the possibility of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s tactical nuclear weapons being used in response.

In the Media

BBC News: North Korean Troops in Russia

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses why the United States is concerned about North Korea's latest missile launch, which had a burn time of 90 minutes.

In the Media

BBC News: Zelensky presents 'victory plan'

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses President Vladimir Zelensky's plan for victory for Ukraine, saying Russia may not accept these terms. Dr. Schmidt did this live interview with his students in his national security class.

In the Media

Forbes: Iranian Media Claims Israeli F-35 Fighters Destroyed In Missile Strike

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, comments that the goal of mis/dis-information is to 'flood the mediascape with false information that causes a psychological response where people are overloaded with contradictory information and respond to this cognitively by questioning all the information in the mediascape, true and outlandishly false alike.'

In the Media

WTIC News Talk 1080: Brian & Company

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, talks about U.S. or U.K. long-range weapons being used by Ukraine against Russia in the war. (Part 16)

In the Media

BBC News: China Abandons Nuclear Arms Talks with U.S.

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses China abandoning nuclear arms talks with the U.S., as the possibility of former President Donald Trump winning the election in November looms large in negotiations.

In the Media

CT News Junkie: ‘A Uniquely American Narrative’

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, comments that the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump 'fits into a pattern of violence against political figures in the United States.'

In the Media

LiveNOW from Fox: Iran launches drone attack against Israel

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the military attack by Iran after it launched missiles and drones to Israel in retaliation for an airstrike earlier this week by Israel that killed two Iranian generals.

In the Media

CNN: New Polish Prime Minister Visits Kyiv For Talks

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the importance of the new Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, visiting Ukraine to help repair the countries’ relationship.

In the Media

BBC Scotland: The Nine

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the latest developments in Israel, including public opinion about the Netanyahu government.

In the Media

CNN MAX: Zelensky To Ask Divided Congress for More Aid

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of national security, international affairs, and political science, discusses Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Washington, D.C., to ask President Joe Biden and Congress for additional funding in the war against Russia.

In the Media

BBC: IDF Operation in Gaza

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, talks about the attack in Israel and the beginning of Israel’s ground offensive.

In the Media

BBC News: Kim Jong Un and Putin Wrap Up Talks

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un and the impact this may have on the war in Ukraine.

In the Media

WTIC 1080 AM: Brian and Company

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the latest developments in Ukraine and Russia, including the recent death of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in an airplane crash. (Part 23)

In the Media

LiveNOW from Fox: Prigozhin reportedly killed in jet crash

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses several conspiracy theories after a plane crash in which Yevgeny Prigozhin who led a revolt against Russian President Vladimir Putin, was reportedly on board.

In the Media

BBC News: Russian President to make address shortly

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses Russian President Vladimir Putin’s address to his country on the breaking news of an insurrection led by the Wagner Group in a southern city in Russia.

In the Media

CNN: Billions Pledged To Ukraine At Recovery Conference

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the Ukraine Recovery Conference and how world leaders will hold Russia accountable for the damages since they invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

In the Media

CNN: NATO Chief: All Agree Ukraine Will Join Alliance

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, comments on NATO Secretary General's announcement that Ukraine has support to join the alliance and the reaction from the Kremlin if this happens.

In the Media

BBC News: Zelensky in Japan for G7 summit

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses why Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is attending the G7 summit with other world leaders.

In the Media

BBC Radio: Newsday

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the expected upcoming Ukrainian counter-offensive strike on Russian troops.

In the Media

BBC News Radio: April 13, 2023

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses a leak of classified documents by a National Guardsman and the impact on national security worldwide.

In the Media

BBC Radio: April 3, 2023

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses a bombing in a St. Petersburg café that killed pro-Russian blogger Vladlen Tatarsky. (interview starts at 13:15)

In the Media

CNN: Russia's War on Ukraine

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, talks about the latest attacks by Russia on Ukrainian civilians and an International Monetary Fund loan to Ukraine providing $15.6 billion in aid.

In the Media

BBC World News: Russian Jet Downs U.S. Drone

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses a Russian jet's "deliberate attempt" to bring down a U.S. drone over the Black Sea and the reaction in the U.S. and Moscow.

In the Media

BBC World Service Radio: Russia Hits U.S. Drone

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses how a Russian jet deliberately slowed to hit a U.S. drone over the Black Sea and the potential repercussions of this action.

In the Media

BBC News: Ukraine War

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, talks about Russia's fight to take control of the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine is intensifying.

In the Media

NBC Connecticut: Rebuilding Ukraine

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses rebuilding housing for citizens in Ukraine. Schmidt was in Kyiv for a conference with Ukraine’s Minister of Infrastructure, Oleksandr Kubrakov.

In the Media

BBC News Radio: Live from Kyiv

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the latest happening in Ukraine. Schmidt is currently in Kyiv for a meeting with Minister of Infrastructure Oleg Kubrakov that is focusing on the future of rebuilding Ukraine's housing.

In the Media

BBC World News: Canada airborne object

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses a high-altitude object that was shot down by U.S. fighter jets on the order of Pierre Trudeau, President of Canada.

In the Media

BBC News Arabic: Matthew Schmidt

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the war in Ukraine, including the decision by the U.S. to provide tanks and training to Ukrainian soldiers in the war against Russia. Video is in Arabic.

In the Media

Switzerland Times: 'There are no accidents in war'

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, comments on the helicopter crash that killed Ukraine's Interior Foreign Minister, his deputy, and the country’s first secretary of state, and what this means for President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In the Media

BBC Radio: Professor Matthew Schmidt

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, comments on the latest happenings in Ukraine and how Russian troops have invaded another town.

In the Media

BBC World News: War in Ukraine

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, comments on the Russian Ministry of Defense informing the public about the biggest loss of life for Russian troops.

In the Media

BBC Radio: U.K. National Report

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses recent developments on the war in Ukraine, including how both sides are trying to regroup as the start of the second year of the war is approaching.

In the Media

Techiemag: Let's Start Cleaning the Internet

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, is quoted from his ABC News interview on how most terrorist organization activity and human trafficking takes place on the dark web.

In the Media

BBC World News: Aid to Ukraine

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses Russia's military strategy against Ukraine to put civilians out into the streets in the winter months.

In the Media

BBC News: Colin Murray

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses Brittney G riner being released in a prisoner swap with a notorious Russian arms dealer (interview starts at 1:05 in the track).

In the Media

BBC World News: War in Ukraine

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, comments on recent remarks by U.S. President Joe Biden to Russian President Vladimir Putin to signal if he is willing to negotiate to end the war. Still, Dr. Schmidt doubts Putin will take this offer.

In the Media

WTIC News Talk 1080 AM: Brian & Company

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses how Russian President Vladimir Putin is usin g winter weather conditions to sabotage energy plants, leaving people in the cold in Ukraine.

In the Media

Impolitic: Gun Control

Jeffrey Treistman, assistant professor of national security, and Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national affairs, and political sciences, discuss the history of gun control policies with well-known professor Robert Spritzer.

In the Media

CNN: Crimea Bridge Blast Could Thwart Russian Supply Lines

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses the symbolic implications of Ukraine destroying the Kerch Bridge, which Putin took great pride in Russia opening two decades ago, and its impact on Russian supply chains.

In the Media

Forbes: Video Of Russian Tanks Circulates On Social Media

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, comments on social media posts about Russian tank maneuvers in Ukraine, emphasizing how important freedom of speech is to the public in Russia being aware of the truth.

In the Media

BBC World News: War in Ukraine

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses Russian President Vladimir Putin’s referendum on territorial integrity and the mobilization of 300,000 civilians to join the military.

In the Media

BBC Radio: Russian Command Retreat

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, talks about the Russian army’s structure, their leadership, and their soldiers who are leaving the battle front, in part one of a three-part interview.

In the Media

BBC Radio: Russian Command Retreat

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, talks about the Russian army’s structure, their leadership, and their soldiers who are leaving the battle front in part two of a three-part interview.

In the Media

BBC Radio: Russian Command Retreat

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, talks about the Russian army’s structure, their leadership, and their soldiers who are leaving the battle front in the final part of a three-part interview.

In the Media

BBC: U.K. National Radio

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, discusses a Russian group called the National Republican Army that is claiming responsibility for a car bomb that killed Daria Dugina, daughter of Alexander Dugin, a Russian Nationalist.

In the Media

BBC Arabic: Possible Ukrainian Attack in Crimea

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of national security, international affairs, and political science, discusses an explosion in a Crimea airbase and whether Ukraine may have sent a missile after receiving a shipment of U.S. arms.

In the Media

CNN: First Grain Ship Leaves Odesa Under Deal to Ease Food Crisis

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of national security, international affairs, and political science, talks about the first of 16 ships carrying grain leaving Ukraine and Oleksiy Vadatursky, a Ukrainian billionaire known as the “grain tycoon,” killed by a Russian missile strike at his home.

In the Media

CNN: 5 Things You Need to Know for Monday, July 25th.

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, had his recent interview on the Russia-Ukraine grain deal and the Russian missile strike that followed added to CNN’s list of stories that get people up to speed on the news.

In the Media

WTIC 1080: Russian Missile Strike in Ukraine

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, talks about Russia striking the city of Vinnytsia in central Ukraine, killing at least 23 people, including three children.

In the Media

Talk of Delmarva WGMD: Matthew Schmidt

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, political science, and national security, talks about the latest in Ukraine and how other countries are now arming Ukrainians citizens to defend themselves against Russia.

In the Media

CNN International: Russia’s War on Ukraine

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, talks about Russia’s Victory Day and what Putin will say at this national event about what is happening in Ukraine.

In the Media

BBC News: War in Ukraine

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, talks about Ukraine now using drones to attack Russian troops for offensive operations.

In the Media

BBC News: War in Ukraine

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of national security, international affairs, and political science, talks about why it is so important to Russia to capture the city of Odesa in Ukraine.

In the Media

Fox 61 The Real Story: War in the Ukraine

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of international affairs, national security, and political science, talks about the Russian people, what their government is telling them, and the latest developments in Ukraine.

In the Media

Politico: Why the Nuclear Threat Is Real

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of political science, international affairs, and national security, comments on the difference between U.S. and Russian soldiers when given an order to fire a nuclear missile.

In the Media

CNN: The one thing that could deter Putin

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of national security, international affairs, and political science, wrote an op-ed examining what could deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine.

In the Media

Ticker News Live: Ukraine Tensions High

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of national security, international affairs, and political sciences, says Putin is “fighting an ideological war to hold onto Ukraine in the Russian sphere of influence” to get back Ukraine.

In the Media

WTIC-AM: Russia and Ukraine Tensions

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of national security, international affairs, and political science, talks about the latest developments with Russian troops positioned on the border of Ukraine.

In the Media

WTIC 1080: Brian and Company

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of national security, political science, and international affairs, talks about several scenarios that may lead to Putin invading Ukraine.

In the Media

WTIC 1080 News: News talk

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of national security, political science, and international affairs, talks about the buildup of Russian forces at the Ukrainian border.

In the Media

FOX61: Situation in Afghanistan

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of political science, national security, and international affairs, discusses the situation in Afghanistan as U.S. troops are withdrawn.

In the Media

AP News: US Bannon Arrest Analyst

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of national security and political science, talks about the arrest of Steve Bannon and the political implications for Donald Trump.

In the Media

WTIC-AM: The Mueller Report

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of national security and political science, speaks about his expectations for the Mueller report to be released tomorrow.

In the Media

WTIC-AM: The Mueller Report

Matthew Schmidt, associate professor of national security and political science, speaks about his expectations for the Mueller report to be released tomorrow.

FOX 61: The Real Story - Russia

Matthew Schmidt, assistant professor in national security and political science, discusses why Vladimir Putin would have wanted the indictment of 13 Russian nationals for influencing the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

WTIC-Fox 61: The Real Story: A Look at Russian Relations

Matt Schmidt, assistant professor of national security and political science, discusses Russian relations with Real Story anchors and U.S. Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT). The discussion focuses on Russia’s intentions related to its spy ship found in the waters only 30 miles from the Connecticut coast and other actions.

WTNH-TV8: Russian Ship Watches Connecticut Coast

Matthew Schmidt, assistant professor of national security and political science, comments on a Russian spy ship that was spotted just 30 miles offshore from the New London Naval Subbase in Groton. Schmidt explains this is normal operations for a spy ship to set up in international waters close to a subbase. Russians spy on us, and we spy right back.