School of Defense and Strategic Studies Archives

Reynolds College announces appointment of Dr. Christopher Ford as Director of Defense and Strategic Studies

January 20, 2026 by Reynolds College

Dean Shawn Wahl and the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Christopher Ford as the new director of Missouri State University’s School of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS), located in Arlington, Virginia.

“Dr. Ford’s academic profile, extensive government experience, and expertise in defense and strategic studies make him the ideal leader to take DSS to the next level,” Wahl noted. “I am especially impressed with his foreign policy experience, diplomacy acumen and vision for the future of DSS.”

Starting immediately, Ford will work with DSS’ current director, Dr. John Rose, on the leadership transition process. Ford’s formal appointment begins on July 1, 2026.

Honored to serve

Ford said he is honored to serve as the next DSS director.

“Our graduates are what this country needs today,” he said. “I am grateful to Dean Wahl and the rest of his RCASH team for this opportunity.”

In particular, Ford recalled the legacy of DSS’ Dr. William Van Cleave, who started the program in the 1970s.

“I am honored and delighted to be carrying forward the proud legacy of national security education and scholarship pioneered by Professor William Van Cleave more than half a century ago, and built upon so successfully by Directors Keith Payne and John Rose,” he said.

“DSS has a strong tradition and a unique track record in producing national security professionals attuned to the requirements of defense and security in a challenging world,” Ford added.

Dr. Christopher Ford brings experience and scholarship to School of Defense and Strategic Studies

November 11, 2025 by Lynn Lansdown

In his nearly two years as an instructor in Missouri State University’s School of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS), Dr. Christopher Ford has already brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the program.

Ford is an expert in foreign relations and national security. He has worked as a senior government official with the U.S. State Department, the National Security Council, the U.S. Senate and as a Navy intelligence officer.

Most of Ford’s previous research focuses on China, but recently he has included Russia and Iran in his research. Currently, he examines how issues such as strategic culture, political ideology, domestic political legitimacy narratives and ideologically shaped interpretations of history all impact national policy and strategic competition. Past research projects include nuclear weapons policy, nonproliferation, arms control, nuclear disarmament and national security export controls.

“My fascination with the interplay of the ‘conceptual’ and the ‘concrete’ in driving policy and strategy goes back a long way,” he said. He traces that interest back to his days at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, where he worked on his doctorate. His dissertation explored the role of political ideology in shaping South African regional relations.

“I think I bring a lot to the table in those practical regards,” Ford observed. “But I’m also very ‘academic’ in my approach and extremely active in my scholarship. [I’m] writing and publishing constantly.”

Dr. James Anderson places second in prestigious Naval Institute essay contest

October 9, 2025 by Lynn Lansdown

The School of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) is proud to announce Dr. James Anderson has won second prize in the United States Naval Institute’s 2024 General Essay contest.

Dr. James Anderson

His essay “The Next Taiwan Crisis Will (Almost) Certainly Involve Nuclear Threats,” argues that China growing nuclear capabilities may embolden Beijing to take more aggressive actions in the Indo-Pacific, especially with respect to Taiwan.

As a result, the United States, especially its Navy, must be prepared for this threat.

“The military threat China poses to Taiwan is growing. China’s nuclear arsenal is also expanding dramatically,” Anderson said. “So, I wanted to investigate the relationship between these two trendlines.”

Anderson was pleased to be recognized for his work.

“The Naval Institute’s General Essay contest dates to 1878 and receives a great many entries every year,” Anderson said. “I was honored and humbled to receive this award.”

Anderson’s current research interests focus on China and Great Power Competition.

School of Defense and Strategic Studies celebrates 20 years in D.C.

September 16, 2025 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s School of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) is celebrating a landmark moment in its history.

In 2005, the school relocated its facilities from the Springfield campus to the Washington, D.C., area. The DSS program moved from California to then Southwest Missouri State University in 1987.

Now, the school is celebrating 20 years in D.C. with a special issue of its online journal, Defense & Strategic Studies Online (DASSO). The issue focuses on DSS—its history, founder, programs and trajectory—in five short articles:

Christopher Ford offers an overview of DSS with a special emphasis upon DSS’ unique “flavor” and focus, from its origins at the University of Southern California (USC) in 1971 to the present day.
DSS Director John Rose provides an essay on his personal journey with DSS and his reflections about the School’s growing roster of programming.
Former DSS Director Keith Payne, the man who brought DSS to Washington, D.C. two decades ago, looks back across the program’s history.
J.D. Crouch, both a former DSS student and a professor with the program at MSU, provides his reflections on the program and, in particular, founder William Van Cleave.
Christopher Ford provides an account of the unique background in national security affairs of DSS’ current faculty.

In addition, DSS will hold an open house on Oct. 3 in its new office suite in Arlington, Virginia.

“DSS is delighted with its new facilities,” said Dr. Christopher Ford, DSS faculty member and editor of DASSO. “[We are] much closer to the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House and Congress.”

Read DASSO

School of Defense and Strategic Studies moves to new office

July 24, 2025 by Lynn Lansdown

Missouri State University’s School of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) has found a new home.

During July and early August, DSS will be relocating from its current office in Fairfax, Virginia, to its new campus in Arlington, Virginia.

The school plans to be fully operational and hosting in-resident classes by Aug. 18, the start of the Fall 2025 semester. During the transition, DSS staff will work remotely.

The department’s phone number, 703-218-3565, will remain the same. The department can also be reached at DSS1@MissouriState.edu.