Mark R. Jacobson currently serves as the Director of International Affairs (Dir INTAF) at Headquarters, NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) where he provides advice to the ISAF Command Group and subordinate commands on the political-military dimension of coalition operations in Afghanistan. 

From 2007-2009 Dr. Jacobson worked at the Senate Armed Services Committee and formerly served as a National Security fellow in the U.S. Senate and at the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security. From 2003-2005 he was a Visiting Scholar for International Security and Public Policy at The Ohio State University where he taught courses on terrorism, intelligence, and national security. Prior to this, Jacobson served in a number of positions at Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) including as the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Policy, an advisor at the Joint Staff Directorate for Special Operations and as an OSD Presidential Management Fellow. 

In 1993 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and deployed in 1996 as part of the NATO Peace Implementation Force (IFOR) in Bosnia. In 2001 Jacobson accepted a commission in the U.S. Navy Reserve where he trained as a defense attaché and intelligence officer. In 2006 he deployed to Afghanistan in support of the DIA, ISAF SOF, and the U.S. Embassy. Jacobson is a frequent speaker and writer on foreign affairs and national defense topics. He is also an active advocate for the development of young professionals interested in public service and serves as a Senior Fellow / Advisor at the Truman National Security Project. 

Jacobson holds a Ph.D. in Military History and Strategic Studies from The Ohio State University, an M.A. in War Studies from the Department of War Studies, King’s College, London, and a B.A. in History from the University of Michigan.