Overview
Over 20 years analyzing U.S. defense, foreign policy, national and international security issues. I have written for print (both for general public and specialist readers), television and radio, and run Internet websites and mailing lists. I have testified before Congress and lectured to the military. Some topics I have expertise in are U.S. military force structure, defense budgeting, WMD proliferation, terrorism, homeland security, counterdrug, peace operations, intelligence policy, international arms trade, small arms proliferation, operations other than war, information warfare, private military companies, biological weapons, and general arms control issues.
The least expensive site to buy his Shadow Force book (see below) is Bloomsbury: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/shadow-force-9780275996338/
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
500 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20536
Writer-Editor
Served as one of four primary writer/editors tasked to respond in writing to official correspondence from Members of Congress, the White House, NGO heads, and the general public.
• I wrote and/or edited these letters on behalf of the ICE Director and Deputy Director, as well as the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and frequently involved coordination of responses with other agencies such as the State and Justice Departments, as well as other ICE agencies such as Customs and Border Protection and Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• Wrote and edited correspondence in response to immigration policy inquiries. Ensured that these correspondences properly adhered to ICE style guidelines prior to being submitted to the ICE Director for review and signature.
• Coordinated the process for reviewing and clearing correspondences and served as an agency liaison for multiple ICE offices.
• Served as a point of contact between the ICE program offices and ICE Executive Secretary to resolve conflicts and confirm the accuracy of content within DHS/ICE correspondences.
More about David Isenberg below
Issue One, Washington, DC
1401 K St NW
Washington, DC 20005
Consultant (June – August 2016)
Commissioned to research and write a report on the impact of money in politics of U.S. national security. Commissioned to research and write a report on the impact of money in politics of U.S. national security. Traveled to various locations to interview former high-ranking U.S. government officials including:
• Chuck Hagel, Senator (R-NE, (1997-2009); Secretary of Defense (2013-2015).
• Lee Hamilton, Congressman (D-IN, 1965-1999); Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee, Co-Chair of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States (9/11 Commission).
• Gary Hart, Senator (D-CO, 1975-1987); Co-Chair of the U.S. Commission on National Security for the twenty-first century.
• Thomas Kean, Governor, (R-NJ, 1982-1990); Co-Chair, 9/11 Commission.
• Tim Roemer, Congressman (D-IN, 1991-2003); Member, 9/11 Commission (2002-2004); Ambassador to India (2009-2011)
• Alan Simpson, Senator (R-WY, 1979-1997); Senate Republican Whip (1985-1995); Co-Chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (2010).
Advanced Decision Vectors, Alexandria, VA
• Edited contractor bid proposals
• Wrote and edited content for office website
Contract Editor and Writer (January 2014 – March 2014)
Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, Crystal City, VA
Public Affairs Liaison (January 2013 – September 2013)
• Drafted and implemented promotion strategy for SIGIR final report.
• Set up numerous interviews for SIGIR director with leading defense reporters.
• Arranged numerous appearances for SIGIR head on radio and television shows, CNN, C-SPAN, VOA, NPR, NewsHour et cetera.
• Organized numerous public speaking appearances for SIGIR director at such prominent groups as the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Professional Services Council, American Bar Association, RAND, National Defense University, U.S. Institute of Peace, et cetera.
International Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO)
Hausmanns gate 7
NO-0186 Oslo
Norway
Researcher/Project leader (January – December 2009)
One year assignment running the Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers (NISAT, www.nisat.org ), while director was on paternity leave.
• Conducted project management (writing annual budget request, monitoring budgets and other expenditure; donor relations);
• Managed the NISAT web site;
• Managed the NISAT database;
• Managed the NISAT document library;
• Produced data and analysis for the Small Arms Survey (producing global trade figures and production of analysis and data on the trade involving specific countries as required);
• Answered queries from the media and other researchers.
Columnist
Wrote weekly “Dogs of War” column on private military contracting for United Press International www.upi.com/topic/David_Isenberg
Book Author
Researched and wrote the book Shadow Force: Private Security Contractors in Iraq. Published Dec. 30, 2008. (Jan. – Dec. 2008)
British American Security Information Council
110 Maryland Ave, NE, Suite 205
Washington, DC 20002
Tel: 202 546 8055
Fax: 202 546 8056
Senior Analyst (November 2002 to December 2007)
Researched biological weapons and conventional weapons trade.
Nuclear Black Market blog posts and other publications.
Consultant to the Center for Defense Information for writing of study on homeland security issues. January 2002 to November 2002.
Consultant for the “Business of War” project, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists,
Center for Public Integrity, July 2001 to October 2002.
DynCorp National Security Programs
Arms Control & Threat Reduction Division
6101 Stevenson Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304
Supervisor, Ed Olson, (703) 461-2000
Analyst (February 1998 to May 2001, 40 hours per week)
As a member of DynMeridian’s Arms Control & Threat Reduction Division in Alexandria, Virginia, I provided analytical support on weapons proliferation, and arms control treaty compliance and implementation issues in support of such federal agencies as the U.S. Army’s Biological Arms Control Treaty Office and the Department of Defense’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Responsibilities included coordinating the annual Department of the Army Biological Weapon Convention Confidence Building Measure Declaration Submission on behalf of the Biological Arms Control Treaty Office (BACTO); preparing the quarterly BACTO FlashBAC newsletter, including researching, collecting citations, writing articles, printing and distribution; and doing daily Internet searching for biological weapons (BW) and BW arms control information.
Conducted a literature survey and compiled a lessons learned report summarizing key conclusions applicable to the BWC “rolling text.” (1998)
Conducted a Biological Detection and Identification Technologies & Systems Survey (1998).
Supported collection of information, database input and testing of a Biological Weapons Convention database for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
Helped research and develop a database of DoD biodefense and biomedical R&D related programs and facilities.
Cowrote a survey of international export control legislation, “Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons: A Survey of
Existing Export Control Practices and Mechanisms.”
Researched and wrote a study “Managing Unintended Consequences” Study for the Air Force for HQ USAF/XPX.
Prepared a draft of a Quick Reference Guide to Biotechnology Equipment. (2000).
Center for Defense Information (CDI)
1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington D.C. 20036
Senior Research Analyst, (July 1989 to February 1998, 40 hours per week).
Researched U.S. Third World security issues, i.e., international arms trade, Persian Gulf, regional and low‑intensity conflicts, power projection capabilities, military anti‑drug efforts and covert operations.
Wrote issues of Defense Monitor, scripts for America’s Defense Monitor, (CDI’s television series), and commentaries for CDI’s Question of the Week radio series.
Wrote successful research grant proposals for projects on the conventional arms trade, including Internet based Arms Trade Database. (approx. $250,000)
Project on Military Procurement,
666 11th Street NW, Suite 500,
Washington, DC 20001
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE (May 1988 to May 1989, 40 hours per week).
Edited biannual publication, Defense Procurement Papers ’88. Created computer bulletin board system to allow whistle blowers to reveal fraud, waste and abuse in procurement process.
Business Executives for National Security
1717 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20006-4603
Supervisor, David Evans, (202) 296-2125
RESEARCH FELLOW (May 1987 – February 1988, 40 hours per week). Intern from January to May 1987 (20 hours per week). Analyzed cost and utility of tactical nuclear weapons.
Center for Defense Information
RESEARCH INTERN (January to May 1983, 40 hours per week). Conducted research for senior staff analysts.
Office of Representative James Weaver
RESEARCHER (1979 to 1982, part time ). Monitored executive and congressional activities and legislation on the rapid deployment force, draft registration and all volunteer force.
U.S. Navy, 1973 to 1977. Honorably discharged.
HONORS
Awarded the Ripon Society’s Mark O. Hatfield award in 1988.
Won first prize in the Cato Institute’s 1987 Foreign Policy essay contest for “The Reagan Doctrine: Why a Good Offense is Not the Best Defense.”
EDUCATION
M.A., International Affairs, 1988, American University, Washington, DC 20016. 101 quarter hours. Awarded full graduate fellowship. 3.74 cumulative GPA.
B.A., International Studies, 1982, Univ. of Oregon, Eugene, OR
97403. 131 quarter hours. Dean’s List. 3.6 GPA
Metuchen High School, 1973, Metuchen, NJ, 08840.
