Dr. Menkhaus is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on Somalia, and regularly advises USG, UN and other international and actors on Somali politics, security, clan dynamics and history. Dr. Menkhaus is currently the Chair of the Political Science Department at Davidson College in North Carolina, where his work includes a range of specializations and subject matter in areas of comparative politics, international relations, development studies and US foreign policy. He has published extensively on Somali state building, politics, development and security, with significant focuses on al Shabaab, conflict and countering extremism. Dr. Menkhaus began his work in Somalia more than 20 years ago; he has served as Senior Technical Advisor for UN Development Office and Special Political Advisor for the UN Operation in Somalia Policy Planning Group