Defense and Strategic Studies

Stephen Quackenbush’s research and teaching focus on international conflict, deterrence and strategic studies. Dr. Quackenbush wrote Understanding General Deterrence: Theory and Application, International Conflict: Logic and Evidence, and numerous journal articles and book chapters. He created the master’s in defense and strategic studies at the University of Missouri and is former president of the International Studies Association-Midwest. He earned his doctorate in political science from the University at Buffalo, SUNY. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army, earning a Bronze Star during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Bryce Reeder is an associate professor and director of doctoral programs in the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs. He earned his doctorate and master’s from the University of Illinois, and his bachelor’s from Boise State University. His research centers on political violence, conflict management and the consequences of wars for civilian populations.

Mehmet Özer is an assistant teaching professor in the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri. The focus of Dr. Özer's teaching and research is Middle East politics, politics of cybersecurity and foreign policy analysis. Dr. Ozer takes an analytical approach to international relations, security issues, and politics in the Middle East, informed by his national military service as a sergeant in the Turkish Gendarmerie Force under the command of the Public Security and Intelligence Branch and five years of experience teaching and advising government institutions in Turkey.

Susan Brockhaus is an Adjunct Professor of the Practice in the Defense and Strategic Studies program at the University of Missouri. She earned an MS in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University in Washington D.C. in 2017, and an MA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 2001. She has worked as an analyst for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) since 2002, with extensive experience in counterterrorism and foreign influence. She was selected to serve as Senior Duty Officer in the White House Situation Room, worked in the 2012 London Olympics Threat Integration Center, and has personally briefed senior US government officials to include the President, Attorney General and FBI Director. She currently serves as an adjunct faculty member for the FBI Academy at Quantico. She received Meritorious Citations from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in 2012 and 2015.

LTC (Ret) Rob Boone is an Adjunct Professor of the Practice in the Defense and Strategic Studies program at the University of Missouri. He also serves as Chief of Staff for Columbia College. He holds a BA in History from Sam Houston State University and an MA in Military History from American Military University, with a focus on Special Operations in Low Intensity Conflict. He is also a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College and the Joint Advanced Warfighting School. His assignments the United States Army included Rifle Platoon Leader, 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii; Service Detachment Commander, 3rd Special Forces Group; Company Commander, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, NC; Deputy Brigade Commander, 198th Infantry, Ft. Benning, GA. His final assignment was the Professor of Military Science at the University of Missouri. His deployments include Egypt, Tunisia, Haiti, and two tours in Iraq.