Justin Leopold-Cohen

Justin Leopold-Cohen is a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Military and Political Power. His research focuses on U.S.-Israel security cooperation, U.S. defense policy in the Middle East, Middle East security, and Israel’s qualitative military edge (QME).

Born and raised in New York City, Justin served as a foreign volunteer in the Israel Defense Forces from 2013 to 2015. He was part of the Nahal Infantry Brigade’s 932nd Battalion, primarily deployed to the Gaza border, including during Operation Protective Edge.

He worked in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for over a year and brings over seven years’ experience working as a national security consultant supporting the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Federal Protective Service, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Coast Guard.

He earned a B.A. in American history and a minor in political science from Clark University and a master’s in global security studies from Johns Hopkins University.