Colorado State University political science professor Peter Harris has been named a 2026 research fellow with the Modern War Institute at the United States Military Academy, a competitive, remote appointment recognizing his expertise in international security and U.S. foreign policy. 

The Modern War Institute selected its 2026 research fellows to develop policy recommendations aimed at deterring war in the Indo-Pacific. Throughout the yearlong fellowship, participants will conduct in-depth research and produce analysis to inform military professionals, policymakers, and the broader public. The cohort brings together scholars and practitioners with diverse regional, academic and policy experience to provide nuanced assessments and concrete proposals for strengthening deterrence and preserving stability in one of the world’s most strategically significant regions. 

In recent years, Harris has been increasingly intentional about producing scholarship with direct policy relevance. The fellowship aligns with that goal, creating space for him to translate academic research into practical recommendations for decision-makers grappling with security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. 

“It is a real honor to be chosen for this fellowship,” said Harris. “One criticism of academia is that it’s too distant from real-world decision-making. Programs like this are brilliant because they help people like me share ideas about national security, while also giving me valuable insight into how things really work. I’m going to learn a lot,” he continues. 

Through the fellowship, Harris will contribute to national conversations on modern conflict and military strategy, further extending CSU’s impact on policy and security studies. 

Harris is an associate professor and associate chair in CSU’s Department of Political Science. His teaching and research focus on international security, U.S. and comparative foreign policy, international relations theory and qualitative research methods. He is co-author, with Jared McKinney, of “Deterrence Gap: Avoiding War in the Taiwan Strait” and author of “Why America Can’t Retrench (And How It Might).” His work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals including International Affairs, Political Science Quarterly and Review of International Studies, and he has received two best article awards. His research has been supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Charles Koch Foundation and the Smith Richardson Foundation.