Mark Cozad is a senior international defense researcher at RAND. Since arriving at RAND, he has led research efforts on East Asian and European security, dealing with a diverse range of issues including military modernization, strategic and operational planning, foreign military experimentation and concept development, defense mobilization, deterrence, strategic warning, and deception. Prior to joining RAND, Mr. Cozad was a senior executive in the intelligence community specializing in China and East Asia security issues. He has served in a wide range of assignments, including at the ODNI as the Deputy Director of the President’s Daily Brief (PDB) and at DIA as the Defense Intelligence Officer for East Asia.

He currently leads long-term research efforts examining Chinese and Russian military strategy and doctrine, operational planning, and concepts of operation. Cozad's long-term research interests include military capabilities analysis, strategic warning, deterrence, and deception. Mr. Cozad's publications include co-authored research reports through RAND, including the recently released Future Scenarios for Sino-Russian Military Cooperation: Possibilities, Limitations, and Consequences (2024) and Gaining Victory in Systems Warfare: China's Perspective on the U.S.-China Military Balance (2023).

He earned his M.A. in history from George Mason University, M.S. in strategic intelligence from Defense Intelligence College, and B.S. in political science from the U.S. Air Force Academy.