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Shawn Snow

Shawn Snow

Shawn Snow is a specialist in the political and military developments of Central and Southwest Asia focused primarily on the conflict in Afghanistan.

Shawn Snow is a specialist in the political and military developments of Central and Southwest Asia focused primarily on the conflict in Afghanistan. He previously served as a signals intelligence analyst with 1st Marine Special Operations Command and as a foreign language interpreter. He completed multiple tours of duty to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He is a two time graduate of the Defense Language Institute specializing in Modern Standard Arabic, Persian Farsi, and Afghan Dari. Upon completing two tours of duty and a ten year career in the Marine Corps, he graduated from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy where he received his M.A. in international relations and security studies.

Currently, he works in the energy field as an analyst on regulation and policy.

He is also an active writer on security and conflict issues. His works have been published in Foreign Policy, The National Interest, the Washington Post, The Hill, Military Times, Small Wars Journal, Task&Purpose, and Signal Magazine.

Follow him on Twitter.

Posts by Shawn Snow
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September 30, 2016

Is India Capable of a Surgical Strike in Pakistan Controlled Kashmir?

By Shawn Snow
A surgical strike operation by Indian forces begs the question of the military's capability to launch such an attack.
September 28, 2016

Of Clausewitz and Rupert Smith in Kashmir

By Shawn Snow
How Carl von Clausewitz and Rupert Smith are both at play in Kashmir.

September 27, 2016

International Pressure Continues to Mount on Pakistan

By Shawn Snow
Members of U.S. Congress, a general, and an Afghan ambassador are the latest to accuse Pakistan of sponsoring terror.

September 27, 2016

Checkpoints Continue to Plague Afghan Security Forces

By Shawn Snow
The issue surrounding check points is both political and poor leadership, according to U.S. General John W. Nicholson.

September 27, 2016

Pakistan Taliban Leader Killed in Paktika

By Shawn Snow
Paktika province has witnessed a recent spate of violence over the last couple months.
September 24, 2016

Afghanistan: Taliban Threaten Tarin Kot Again

By Shawn Snow
Tarin Kot finds itself once again under threat of collapse.

September 22, 2016

Ghani’s Deal With the Devil: Hekmatyar and Transitional Justice

By Shawn Snow
A long delayed, elusive agreement between the government of Afghanistan and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has been inked.
September 19, 2016

Analysis: Why Kashmir Matters

By Shawn Snow
Why Kashmir is a major national security issue for both India and Pakistan.

September 19, 2016

17 Indian Soldiers Killed in Kashmir: India-Pakistan Tensions Heating up

By Shawn Snow
As heavy pressure builds on Islamabad, Kashmir heats up.

September 16, 2016

Why Air Power Matters in Afghanistan

By Shawn Snow
Considering Afghanistan’s mountainous and formidable terrain, air support during counterinsurgency operations is vital.

September 14, 2016

Is Pakistan Facing Growing International Isolation?

By Shawn Snow
A growing chorus of states, from the United States to China, appears to be shifting away from Islamabad.
September 14, 2016

Afghanistan and Ashraf Ghani's New Internationalism

By Shawn Snow
'Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the Right.'

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