Heritage Foundation Leadership for America

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summary:
Jack Spencer is Senior Policy Analyst for Defense and National Security at the Heritage Foundation, a Washington-based public policy research institute. Spencer works primarily on issues involving defense transformation, military readiness, force structure, roles and missions, national security spending, homeland security, arms control, and missile defense. He recently testified before the Congressionally mandated Overseas Basing Commission on America's global basing requirements. In 1999, Spencer authored the Ballistic Missile Threat Handbook-a reference that describes the ballistic missile arsenals of nine nations whose strategic and commercial interests in ballistic missiles threaten U.S. security. In 2002, he authored "Top Priorities for Strengthening Civil Defense Against Terrorism" as part of The Heritage Foundation study Defending the American Homeland.

Mr. Spencer has published numerous papers and articles on missile defense, modernization, readiness, homeland security and other national security related issues. He is often quoted in national newspapers such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post. Also, Mr. Spencer regularly places op-ed and opinion articles in such news sources as the Washington Times and Knight-Ridder. He is also a featured radio and television commentator for such news outlets as C-SPAN, Fox News, MSNBC, the BBC, the Rush Limbaugh Show, the Oliver North Show, and National Public Radio.

Jack also often speaks on national security issues. He frequently addresses universities, international organizations, government agencies, and other interested groups on such diverse topics as missile defense, arms control, the war on terror, and homeland security.

Mr. Spencer earned his BA from Frostburg State University in international politics and his MA from the University of Limerick, in Ireland. While in Limerick, he also began research towards his doctorate. Additionally, Mr. Spencer spent time studying in Germany.