Marianna M. Yamamoto

Marianna Yamamoto is a senior research associate at the Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland (CISSM). Her research interests focus on individual rights and democracy, OSCE security principles, terrorism and military leadership and staff support. She is particularly interested in how international security principles, democracy and the rule of law support individual rights.

Terrorism Against Democracy, based in part on Admiral Stansfield Turner’s course, “Terrorism & Democracy,” which he taught from 2002–2006 in response to the 9/11 attacks. From the study she developed a basic explanation of terrorism.

Her OSCE studies include the application of OSCE principles to security problems. A particular focus is the security effect of OSCE principles that address democracy and respect for individual rights. Her study, OSCE Principles in Practice, traces the application of OSCE principles to three case studies in conflict prevention (Estonia, Macedonia, and Ukraine). The Ukraine study focused on separatism in Crimea, and how the first OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Max van der Stoel, helped to maintain the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Her research on military leadership and staff support includes “quotebooks” of thoughts and experience of military leaders at all levels. The books include quotebooks from six Army Chiefs of Staff, the first eleven Sergeants Major of the Army, and noncommissioned officers throughout history.

Yamamoto has served as a Visiting Professor at Towson University, and as a Research Fellow with the Institute of Land Warfare at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). In 1995, she completed a career in the US Army. Yamamoto received a PhD in policy studies (international security and economic policy) from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy.