Dr. Adam B. Lowther

Leader—Strategist—Innovator—Author—Educator 

• Leader: fire team leader, work center supervisor, academic program manager, accreditation advisor, research lead, senior leader briefer.

 • Strategist: primary author on 2010 CSAF strategy study; regular author of strategic level articles; developer of skill-focused curriculum for political science majors; leader of focused outreach effort.

 • Innovator: idea entrepreneur responsible for the development of new Air Force concepts and approaches; regularly collaborates across divergent specialties and interests to improve process and efficiency; examines problems through new and unorthodox means.

 • Author: author or editor of books, peer-reviewed journal articles, policy journal articles, and commentaries; capable of simplifying complex concepts, problems, and solutions for readers; experienced at publishing for maximum impact.

 • Educator: born to teach; energetic in the classroom; Air University faculty of the year; strong student evaluations.    

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
 06/08–Present Air Force Research Institute, Maxwell AFB, AL (AD-25)  
Research Professor
• Conducts strategic and operational research on deterrence, nuclear weapons policy, military diplomacy, and terrorism
• Supervises teams of researchers
• Evaluates manuscripts submitted for publication to AFRI journals and AU Press
• Conducts outreach activities to academia, DoD, and industry
• Briefs senior Air Force, Executive Branch, and Congressional leaders
• Serves as thesis advisor to Air Force Fellows 

08/05–05/08 Arkansas Tech University, Russellville, AR
Assistant Professor of Political Science
• Advised more than 50 students per semester
• Assisted Curriculum Committee in developing departmental goals, objectives, and academic assessment program
• Served as sponsor and advisor to several campus organizations
• Taught  a variety of courses, including National Security, Comparative Politics, International Relations, American Government, and Political Economy
• Advised freshmen participants in the Bridge to Excellence Program

 08/05–05/06 Columbus State University, Columbus, GA 
Assistant Professor of Political Science
• Taught  courses in American Government, Political Theory, and Political Economy      

01/04–05/05 Yorktown University, Denver, CO                        
  Accreditation Advisor
• Directed the university’s effort to gain DETC accreditation
• Worked with faculty and staff to develop required measures of student satisfaction (student surveys, measures of achievement, and course propriety) and faculty compliance with DETC requirements
• Worked with the university president to complete all necessary accreditation forms and material 

01/03-05/03 University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
 Adjunct Instructor 
• Taught course in the American Presidency

01/03-12/03 CrimsonTradition.com, Tuscaloosa, AL
 Senior Writer
• Wrote news stories that covered all sports at the University of Alabama

 08/01–12/03 University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
 Instructor
• Taught undergraduate courses in American Government, Comparative Politics, and International Relations

12/99–06/01 MDS Communications, Mesa, AZ
Account Executive 
• Managed fund-raising campaign for nonprofit organizations and members of Congress
• Wrote fund-raising material for new donor development campaigns

09/94–07/00 United States Navy and Selected Naval Reserve
 Personnel Director
• Served as personnel director aboard USS Ramage (DDG 61)
o Provided administrative support to executive officer
o Served as protocol assistant at CINCUSNAVEUR-London providing guidance in international protocol to deputy commander 
EDUCATION
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (2006)
Doctor of Philosophy
Areas of concentration: International Relations, International Security, Comparative
Politics
Dissertation Title: “Asymmetric Warfare: Conflict in the 21st Century”
Arizona State University, Tempe (2001)
Master of Arts
Areas of concentration: International Relations & Modern Chinese History
Thesis: “The Prospects for an Energy War in the South China Sea” 
Arizona State University, Tempe (1999)
Bachelor of Arts, Summa cum Laude
Areas of concentration: Political Science & European History

 Professional Development and Awards (Highlights)
• 2012 Completed The Mindset of Leadership training course
• 2011 Completed USAF Military Personnel Management, Civilian Personnel  Management, and Supervisor courses to become a certified supervisor
• 2011 Outstanding Performer—Compliance Inspection
• 2011 Air Force Research Institute Civilian of the Quarter
• 2010 Air University Staff Civilian of the Year

Scholarly Books
• Editor, Deterrence in a Time of Great Powers, Rogue Regimes, and Non-State Actors, Palgrave-McMillan (forthcoming, December 2012).
• Editor, The Asia-Pacific Century: Challenges and Opportunities, Air University Press
(2012).
• Terrorism’s Unanswered Questions, with Beverly Lindsey, eds., Praeger Press (2009).
• Americans and Asymmetric Conflict: Lebanon, Somalia and Afghanistan, Praeger Press (2007). 
Scholarly Monographs
• Editor, Air Force Strategy Study: 2020–2030 (Maxwell AFB, AL: Air University Press, 2010).
• The Future of Global US Air Force Basing, 2010–2040 (Maxwell AFB, AL: Air Force Research Institute, 2010), with Steve Hagel and Chad Dacus.
• Challenging Nuclear Abolition (Maxwell AFB, AL: Air Force Research Institute, 2009).
• 2,000 Years of Asymmetric Military Strategy (London: London Security Studies Series, 2006). 
Scholarly Journal Articles 
• “Envisioning a United States Air Force for 2030,” World Futures Review, Summer 2012, with Karen Currie.
• “From the Air: Rediscovering our Raison d’être,” Air and Space Power Journal (July/August 2012), with John Farrell.
• “Saving NATO with Airpower,” Royal Canadian Air Force Journal (Summer 2012), with Pano Yannakogeorgos.
• “Air Diplomacy: The United States Air Force’s Contribution to American Diplomacy,” Penser Les Ailes Francaises (Winter/Spring 2011).
• “An Air Force Strategic Vision for 2020–2030,”
, (Spring 2011).
• “The Post-9/11 American Serviceman,” Joint Forces Quarterly (Fall 2010).
•  “Air Diplomacy: Protecting American National Interests,” Strategic Studies Quarterly 
(Fall 2010) (commentary).
• “Should the United States Maintain the Nuclear Triad?” Air and Space Power Journal (Summer 2010).
• “The Logic of the Nuclear Arsenal,” Strategic Studies Quarterly (Winter 2009).
• “It’s the Economy Stupid! How Economic Liberalization Could Have Made a Difference in Iraq,” American Foreign Policy Interests (Summer 2009).
• “Terrorism and the WMD Threat to the United States,” Mid-South Review of Political Science 
(Fall 2008).
• “Naval Doctrine and the Role of the US Navy in the Era of Asymmetry,” Scientia Militaria (December 2007).
• “Chile: The Case for Economic Liberalization,” Journal of Development Alternatives and Area Studies (December 2006).
 Policy Journal Articles
 • “Making Sense of American Strategy,” World Defence Systems, Spring 2012.
• “The Future of United States Air Force Power Projection: 2030 and Beyond,” World Defence Systems (Spring 2011).
• “2030 Vision: Air Force Strategy Study Looks to Long Term Critical Capabilities,” Armed Forces Journal (April 2011).
• “Unmanned and Nuclear: Is America Ready for a UAV Bomber?” Armed Force Journal (June 2009).
• “Toward an Adaptive Naval Doctrine,” Proceedings (October 2006).
 Scholarly Book Chapters
 • “Who Serves? The All-Volunteer Force,” in Civil Military Relations in Perspective, Steven Cimbala, ed. (London: Ashgate Press, 2011) with Gary Schaub.
• “National Security and the Nuclear Weapons Debate,” in Can America Maintain Its Political, Military, and Economic Preeminence?: Sixteen Key Challenges, Kim Shienbaum, ed., (Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press, 2011).

Articles, Book Chapters, Editorials, Reviews, Conference Proceedings, and
Encyclopedia Entries
• “Think Like the Dragon,” The National Interest, March 26, 2012, with Pano Yannakogeorgos.
• “How to Save the Cyberspace,” The Diplomat, March 21, 2012, with Pano Yannakogeorgos.
• “The India the President Must Know,” The Diplomat, March 15, 2012, with Pano Yannakogeorgos.
• “Five Reasons not to Attack Iran,” The Diplomat, January 9, 2012.
• “Why the U.S. Needs Airpower Diplomacy,” The Diplomat, November 22, 2011.
• “Why America Needs More Nukes,” The National Interest, August 5, 2011. 
• “Obama’s Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan Makes Sense,” The Daily Caller, August 1, 2011.
• “Making the World Safe for Nuclear Weapons,” The Daily Caller, July 25, 2011.
• “US Government Faces Tough Choices,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, March 15, 2011.
• “Strategy Report Presages Role Change for Military,” Montgomery Advertiser, February 13, 2011. 
• “Military Bases Matter to Alabama and the Nation,” Birmingham News, February 6, 2011.
• “Booting Up Military for Future,” Politico, January 6, 2011.
• “‘Hair Trigger’ Alert, Signaling, and New START,” Human Events, December 9, 2010.
• “Sex Is What ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is Really About,” Washington Examiner, December 7, 2010.
• “Framing Deterrence in the 21st Century: Conference Summary,” Deterrence in the 21st Century (Montgomery, AL: Air University Press, 2010), 1–15.
• “Understanding Deterrence,” Deterrence in the 21st Century (Montgomery, AL: Air University Press, 2010), 27–41.
• “Deterrence and WMD Counter-proliferation,” Deterrence in the 21st Century (Montgomery, AL: Air University Press, 2010), 301–4.
• “Not so Fast,” Montgomery Advertiser, October 10, 2010.
• “Eisenhower’s New Look Policy—Today?” The Wright Stuff, August 12, 2010, with Andrew Kovich.
• “Iran’s Two Edged Bomb,” New York Times, February 10, 2010.
• “Returning to Its Roots: Air Force Looks to Deterrence and Nuclear Strategy,” Washington Examiner, May 19, 2009.
• “Keeping the Peace Requires US to Keep Its Strategic Bombers,” Washington Examiner, April 18, 2009.
• Understanding Deterrence: Essential Questions for the 21st Century (Maxwell AFB, AL: Air Force Research Institute, 2009).
• “Nuclear Deterrence Keeps US Safe from Adversaries,” Omaha World Herald, April 15, 2009.
• “Air Force Mistakes Have Silver Lining,” Shreveport Times, March 20, 2009.
• “Learning to Love the Bomb,” Boston Globe, March 18, 2009.
• Review, “War Gaming for Leaders,” The Wright Stuff, March 2009.
• “Two Birds with One Stone: Nuclear Dedicated UCAV,” Jane’s Defence Weekly, March 4, 2009.
• “The Impact of the Iraq War on American Deterrence,” The Wright Stuff, August 2008.
• “Foreword,” Fundamentals of Islamic Asymmetric Warfare: A Documentary Analysis of the Principles of Muhammad by Russ Rodgers (New York: Mellon Press, 2008).
• Review, Democracy and Counterterrorism: Lessons from the Past, CHOICE, January 2008.
• Review, Beyond al-Qaeda: Part 2: The Outer Rings of the Terrorist Universe, CHOICE, May 2007.
• Review, Beyond al-Qaeda: Part 1: The Global Jihadist Movement, CHOICE, May 2007.
• Review, Circle in the Sand: Why We Went Back to Iraq, CHOICE, April 2007.
• Review, Unconquerable Nation: Knowing Our Enemy, Strengthening Ourselves, CHOICE, February 2007.
• Review, Insurgents, Terrorists, and Militias: The Warriors of Contemporary Combat, CHOICE, December 2006.
• “The Legacy of Iraq,” Encyclopedia of the Arab-Israeli Wars (New  York: ABC-CLIO, 2008) (2,200 words).
• “Iran and the Mullahs,” Encyclopedia of the Arab-Israeli Wars (New York: ABC-CLIO, 2008) (2,000 words).
• “Force Transformation, Military Theory and Asymmetric Warfare,” in An Army at War (Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Institute Press, 2005).
 Papers Presented at Professional Meetings
• “Thinking About the Asia-Pacific,” SOBIE, Destin, FL, April 18, 2012.
• “Toward an Airpower Diplomacy Strategy: Building Partnerships with India,” Indo-US Partnering in the 21st Century Conference, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India, January 11-13, 2012.
• “Who Serves? The All-Volunteer Force,” Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society, Chicago, October 21-23, 2011.
• “An Introduction to Future Analysis and Methodology,” World Future Society, Vancouver, BC, July 10, 2011.
• “Air Diplomacy: An Air Force Capability,” International Political Science Association—RC 24 Meeting, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey, June 19, 2011.
• “Air Diplomacy: Its Role in the Asia Pacific,” National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China, June 16, 2011.
• “The National Interest,” SOBIE Annual Conference, Destin, FL, April 13, 2011.
• “Why the Air Force Needs an Air Diplomacy Strategy,” Air Education and Training Command Symposium, San Antonio, TX, January 20–21, 2011.
• “Challenging Nuclear Abolition,” Air Education and Training Command Symposium, San Antonio, TX, January 14–15, 2010.
• “Deterring Non-State Actors,” Concept Design and Experimentation Conference, Rome, Italy, 2009.
• “The Logic of the Nuclear Arsenal,” at the ISSS/ISAC annual conference, Monterey, CA, 2009.
• “Market Liberalization or Democratization: Which Matters Most for Iraq?,” ISSS/ISAC annual conference, Tucson, AZ, 2008.
• “The Nature of War,” Oxford University, September 9–14, 2007.
• “Lebanon: An American Introduction to Islamic Radicalism,” ISSS/ISAC annual conference, Denver, CO, 2006.
• “Asymmetric Conflict in Lebanon, Somalia, and Afghanistan: Lessons Learned,” American Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, 2006.
• “Toward an Adaptive Naval Doctrine,” International Studies Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2006.
• “2000 Years of Military Theory,” Southern Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, 2006.
• “A Comparative Analysis of Economic Reforms in Bolivia, Chile, and Taiwan,” Southern Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, 2006.
• “The War in Afghanistan,” ISSS/ISAC Annual Conference, Denver, CO, 2005.
• “Force Transformation, Military Theory, and Asymmetric Warfare,” Combat Studies Institute of the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS, 2005.
• “The Future of Warfare: Asymmetric Conflicts in the 21st Century,” International Studies Association-West, Las Vegas, NV, 2004.
• “Rebuilding Iraq: Democracy or Free Markets?,” International Studies Association-West, Las Vegas, NV, 2004.
• “Liberty or Democracy: Which Matters Most?,” Austrian Scholars Conference, Auburn, AL, 2003.
• “Economic Reform in the People’s Republic of China and Hungary,” Alabama Political Science Association, Montgomery, AL, 2002.
Invited Speeches/Lectures/Briefings/Interviews
• “Emerging Powers and Potential Threats—South China Sea,” House of Representatives SAF/LL Working Lunch, May 2, 2012.
• Interview with Brian Bender of the Boston Globe concerning US Nuclear Policy, April 18, 2012.
• “Deterring Non-State Actors,” Squadron Officer College, April 11, 2012.
• “Understanding Chinese Nuclear Policy and Strategic Culture,” Air Command and Staff College, March 22, 2012.
• “Deterring Non-State Actors,” Squadron Officer College, January 31, 2012.
• “Chinese Nuclear Weapons Capabilities, Strategy and Strategic Culture,” Air Force Global Strike Command—Deterrence and Assurance Working Group, January 27, 2012.
• “Airpower Diplomacy,” Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, January 17, 2012.
• “Airpower Diplomacy,” Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi, India, January 16, 2012.
• “Shaping the US Military for Future Threats,” Military Officers Association of America, Maxwell AFB, AL, May 12, 2011.
• Interview, Air Force Magazine, April edition, 2011.
• “Air Force Strategy Study: 2030,” Air Force Research Labs, Rome, NY, March 23, 2011.
• “Air Force Strategy Study: 2030,” Colorado Christian University, Denver, CO, March 8, 2011.
• “Air Force Strategy Study: 2030,” United States Northern Command, Peterson AFB, CO, March 8, 2011.
• “Air Force Strategy Study: 2030,” Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, CO, March 7, 2011.
• “Air Force Strategy Study: 2030,” Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, VA, February 17,
2011.
• “Air Force Strategy Study: 2030,” Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, LA, February 15, 2011.
• “Air Force Strategy Study: 2030,” Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Fort Worth, TX, January 25, 2011.
• “Air Force Strategy Study: 2030,” Headquarters Air Force, Washington, DC, December 15, 2010.
• “Air Force Strategy Study: 2030,” Northrop Grumman Corp., Washington, DC, December 14, 2010.
• “Air Force Strategy Study: 2030,” Air Force Association, Washington, DC, December 14, 2010.
• “Air Force Strategy Study: 2030,” American Enterprise Institute, Washington, DC, December 13, 2010.
• “The Future of the United States Air Force,” Grove City College, Grove City, PA, November 11, 2010.
• “Roadmap to 2030,” Brief to the Air Force Chief of Staff, Washington, DC, November 9, 2010.
• “Deterring Non-state Actors,” Brief to staff of the National Security Council, Washington, DC, July 29, 2010.
• “Air Force Strategic Concept—2030” Brief to the Air Force Chief of Staff, Washington, DC, July 13, 2010.
• “Air Diplomacy,” Air Force Association, March 17, 2010.
• “US Air Force Basing, 2020–2040,” Air Staff, Washington, DC, March 16, 2010.
• “Air Diplomacy,” Centre d’etudes strategiques aerospatiales, Paris, February 11, 2010.
• Interview, Boston Globe, January 10, 2010.
• “Challenging Nuclear Abolition,” United States Senate, Brown Bag Lunch Series, January 2010.
• “From the Air,” Air Force Association, January 2010.
• “Understanding the Nuclear Debate,” Blue Dog Coalition, US House of Representatives, April 2009.
• “Nuclear Weapons Policy,” Huntingdon College, Montgomery, AL, February 2009.
• “Modern Deterrence,” Secretary of Defense Task Force on DoD Nuclear Weapons Management, September 2008.
• “Understanding the Politics of Health Care,” Pope County, RC, December 2007.
• “The Nature of Liberty,” University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, February 2008.
• “Reform in Arkansas,” University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, AR, March 2008.
Professional Conferences/Meetings
• “The McCain Conference,” US Naval Academy, April 25-26, 2012.
• Discussant, “China/US Rivalry,” International Studies Association, San Diego, CA, April 4, 2012.
• Conference Director, “The Asia-Pacific Century: Emerging Strategic Challenges,” Air University, Maxwell AFB, December 6-7, 2011.
• “Challenge and Opportunity: Strengthening the US Air Force’s Unique Contributions to National Security amid Intensifying Budget Pressures,” Center for New American Security, Washington, DC, October 19, 2011.
• Panel Moderator, “USAF Minerva Energy and Environmental Security Symposium,” Maxwell AFB, AL, September 27-28, 2011.
• “Air Force Association Annual Convention,” Washington, DC, September 19-21, 2011.
• “Strategic Latency,” Lawrence Livermore National Labs, Livermore, CA, September 13-14, 2011.
• US Delegate, “Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials Meeting III,” San Francisco, CA, September 11-16, 2011.
• Lawrence Livermore National Labs—Introduction to Programs, Livermore, CA, June 3–4, 2011.
• “Global Strike Command,” House of Representatives—Long Range Strike Caucus, Washington,
DC, April 7, 2011. 
• “2011 Pacific Symposium: The New Security Environment—Implications for American Security in the Asia Pacific Region,” National Defense University, Fort McNair, April 4–5, 2011.
• “Avoiding Nuclear Catastrophe,” USAF/DTRA, Maxwell AFB, AL, August 18–19, 2010.
• “World Future 2010,” World Future Society, Boston, MA, July 9–11, 2010.
• “Cooperation and Conflict in the Global Commons,” United States Joint Forces Command, Virginia Beach, VA, June 28–July 1, 2010.
• “Air, Space, and Cyberspace Power in the 21st Century,” Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Strategic Studies Groups, Washington, DC, January 20–21, 2010.
• “Extended Deterrence in Asia and Beyond Workshop,” Long-Term Strategy Group, Washington, DC, December 16, 2009.
• “SIMULEX,” Tufts University, Boston, MA, October 30–31, 2009.
• “National Security Leader Forum with General Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the US Air Force,” Center for New American Security, Washington, DC, September 21, 2009.
• “Combating WMD,” Air Force Counter-proliferation Center, Williamsburg, VA, August 13–14, 2009.
• “Strategic Deterrence in the 21st Century,” Royal United Services Institute, London, May 18–19, 2009.
• “Nuclear Stability Workshop,” USSTRATCOM, Omaha, NE, April 20–21, 2009.
• "The Nuclear Order: Build or Break," Carnegie International Nonproliferation Conference, Washington, DC, 2009.
• “Strategic Insights,” RAND Corporation, Washington, DC, 2009.
• “The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership,” Eighth Air Force, Barksdale AFB, LA, 2009.
• Program Director/Facilitator and Master of Ceremonies, “Africa: Security Challenges and Strategic Perspectives,”  Maxwell AFB, AL, February 2009.
• “Air-Mindedness,” Eighth Air Force, Barksdale AFB, LA, 2009.
• “Common Defense,” Washington, DC, 2008.
• American Political Science Association Annual Meeting, 2008.
• Panel Chair/Discussant, Arkansas Political Science Association Annual Meeting, 2007.
• Discussant, Southern Political Science Association Annual Meeting, 2006.
• Panel Chair, Southern Political Science Association Annual Meeting, 2006.
• Panel Chair and Discussant, Comparative Politics Panel, Mississippi Political Science Association Annual Meeting, 2003.
Courses Taught
American Government, American Presidency, Research Methods, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Early Political Thought, Political Economy, State and Local Government, National Security Policy, American Political Behavior, Recent American Foreign and Defense Policy, Strategic Studies
Professional Memberships
International Studies Association
Inter-University Seminar on the Armed Forces and Society
Air Force Association
Naval Institute
Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa
World Futures Society
Society for Business, Industry, and Economics
 Awards and Grants
2011  Compliance Inspection—Outstanding Performer 
2011  Air Force Research Institute Civilian of the Quarter
2010  Air University Staff Civilian of the Year
2007  ATU Travel Grant ($968)
2007  ATU Undergraduate Research Grant ($2,000)
2007  Oxford University, Nature of War Scholarship ($900)
2007  ATU Travel Grant  ($3,050)
2006  Prestage-Cook Travel Award ($250) 
2006  FDD Fellowship/Travel ($5,000)
2006  Sea Enterprise Essay Contest ($1,000)
2005  Combat Studies Institute Travel Award ($1,000)
2003  Austrian Scholars Conference Scholarship recipient, Ludwig von Mises Institute
2003   Mises University Scholarship recipient, Ludwig von Mises Institute
2002  Rothbard Graduate Seminar Scholarship recipient, Ludwig von Mises
Institute
2001–2004 Graduate Assistantship, University of Alabama
2000–2001 Graduate Assistantship, Arizona State University
International Travel
I have lived, worked, or traveled in the following countries: United Kingdom, France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Russia, Czech Republic, Italy, Turkey, Israel, Virgin Islands, Singapore, Japan, Mexico,  Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, India, and China.