David Maxwell, a middle-aged man with glasses, a receding hairline, and a suit with a red tie, smiles at the camera against a plain gray background.

Mr. David Maxwell

Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation

Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy

Biography

David Maxwell is a retired US Army Special Forces Colonel and has spent more than 30 years in the Asia Pacific region  (primarily Korea, Japan, and the Philippines) as a practitioner and specializes in Northeast Asian Security Affairs and irregular, unconventional, and political warfare. His final assignment was as a member of the National War College military faculty. Following retirement he was the Associate Director of the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University. He is the Vice President of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy, the Executive Director of the Korean Regional Review and a Senior Fellow at the Global Peace Foundation (where he focuses on a free and unified Korea). He is a member of the board of directors of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea and the OSS Society, on the Board of Advisors for Spirit of America, and is the editor-at-large at the Small Wars Journal.

Featured In

Events

International Forum on One Korea 2026

Oct 02, 2026

The International Forum on One Korea 2026 brings together experts, policymakers, and civil society leaders to advance the vision of a Free and Unified Korea. Grounded in the Korean Dream and the ideal of Hongik Ingan, the Forum explores practical pathways toward Korean unification and a future of peace, freedom, and shared prosperity across Northeast Asia.

Banner for the "International Forum on One Korea 2025" with the theme of international support for a unified Korea, showing partner organization logos on a blue and purple watercolor background.

International Forum on One Korea 2025

Aug 14, 2025

The International Forum on One Korea, held August 14–15, 2025, in Seoul, will convene global leaders, experts, and civil society to build international support for a free and unified Korea. Marking the 80th National Liberation Day, the forum will explore people-centered strategies for reunification, peace, and sustainable development across the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

Text graphic with "Mongolia Forum on Northeast Asian Peaceful Development and Korean Unification" over a blue abstract globe background, highlighting the forum’s focus on regional peace and Korean Unification.

Mongolia Forum On Northeast Asian Peaceful Development and Korean Unification

Jul 23, 2025

The Mongolia Forum unites leaders, experts, and youth to promote dialogue, Korean unification, and regional cooperation—advancing peace, stability, and sustainable development across Northeast Asia and beyond.