Commander Michael O’Hara is a first­‐year Ph.D. student in the Department of Political Science at Columbia University.  His research interests include International Relations with specific focus on grand strategy, alliances, and coercion.  Upon completion of his studies, he will serve as a Permanent Military Professor at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

He is a career naval officer in the U.S.Navy with experience in carrier aviation and naval intelligence.  He has completed four combat deployments to the Middle East, most recently with Carrier Air Wing SEVEN in USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER (CVN69) in support of US/NATO operations in Afghanistan. 

His operational experience includes deployments in three aircraft carriers – USS ENTERPRISE (CVN65), USS HARRY S TRUMAN(CVN75), USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER (CVN69) – and in the headquarters of Combined Forces Command, Afghanistan (CFC-­‐A) in Kabul and the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington,DC.  He has served in Operations DESERT FOX, SOUTHERN WATCH, DELIBERATE FORGE, and ENDURING FREEDOM.  Additionally,CDR O’Hara served as an instructor and coach at the Naval Academy PreparatorySchool.

He holds a B.S. in English (with Merit) from the U.S.Naval Academy,an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies (with Highest Distinction) from the Naval War College, and an M.A. in English from University of Rhode Island.  He ismarried to Nora Connelly of Villa Park, Illinois.  They live in New York Citywith their five children.