David Isenberg is recognized globally as one of the earliest researcher/writers on the Private Military and Security Contracting (PMSC) sector. His 1997 Soldiers of Fortune Ltd.: A Profile of Today’s Private Sector Corporate Mercenary Firms and 2008 book Private Security Contractors in Iraq are considered foundational works on the subject.
He has testified before the U.S. Congress, and lectured at George Washington, American, and Joint Special Operations Universities, Center for a New American Security, International Studies Association, New America Foundation, and has appeared on numerous television and radio networks including Al Jazeera, CNN, CSPAN, and Voice of America. He has participated in conferences and other events, including the Central Intelligence Agency, Geneva Center for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, Stanley Foundation, McCormick Tribune, and New York University Law School.
He has authored numerous articles, book chapters, and op-eds and written extensively on the subject for Asia Times, Huffington Post, Intellectual Capitol, LobeLog, Partnership for a Secure America, Quincy Institute, and wrote the weekly syndicated Dogs of War column for United Press International.
He is a Vietnam-era U.S. Navy veteran. He earned a BA in International Studies from the University of Oregon and an MA in International Affairs from American University. He has previously worked at the Center for Defense Information, DynMeridian, British American Security Information Council, International Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO), Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, and the Department of Homeland Security.
He established the Isenberg Institute of Strategic Satire, devoted to PMSC coverage, in 2012.
