Global Security & Defense Policy Expert; Professor at Johns Hopkins SAIS; Former Assistant Secretary of Defense; Author of "The Inheritance"

Washington, DC, USA
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Mara Karlin Biography

Mara Karlin is a professor and policy expert at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, where she serves as professor of practice, interim director of the Foreign Policy Institute, and faculty co-lead for Security, Strategy, and Statecraft. Karlin has authored books including "Building Militaries in Fragile States: Challenges for the United States" and "The Inheritance: America’s Military After Two Decades of War." She is also a faculty affiliate at the SNF Agora Institute and a visiting fellow at Brookings Institution.

Karlin’s career includes public service at the U.S. Department of Defense, where she has advised six U.S. secretaries of defense, including as assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans, and capabilities. In this role, she led the development and implementation of the National Defense Strategy and oversaw modernization efforts in U.S. force posture, particularly in Asia and through the AUKUS partnership. Karlin managed defense relations with nearly 150 countries and contributed to strategic reviews and commissions such as the National Defense Strategy Commission and the Syria Study Group.

Karlin appears on media outlets including CNN, BBC, and DW News, and contributes to policy forums and podcasts. She has received the Secretary of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest civilian honor from the Department of Defense. Through her scholarship, government service, and public engagement, Karlin is recognized for her expertise in global security, defense policy, and international affairs.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 08/18/2025.

Mara Karlin Videos

Countdown: Improving Military Readiness for the 21st Century| Global Conference 2025

Countdown: Improving Military Readiness for the 21st Century| Global Conference 2025

Find all Global Conference 2025 Panels: https://milkeninstitute.org/events/global-conference-2025/program As the recent Commission on the National...

The lasting impacts of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars on the US military

The lasting impacts of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars on the US military

Dr Mara Karlin ( https://sais.jhu.edu/users/mkarlin1 ) joined us on the USSC Briefing Rood podcast to talk about her book The Inheritance:...

America's Military After Two Decades of War

America's Military After Two Decades of War

In our upcoming Wednesday Seminar, Professor Mara Karlin, Johns Hopkins University, will explore the legacies of the post-9/11 wars for the US armed...

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  • What topics does Mara Karlin speak about?

    Mara Karlin is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Geopolitics, Security & Defense, World Affairs
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Mara Karlin is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Mara Karlin for your event is available upon request. Mara Karlin generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Maria Snegovaya, Suzanne Kianpour, Evelyn Farkas, Susan Eisenhower and Antony Blinken. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Mara Karlin for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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