Dr Rodger Shanahan is a research fellow at the Lowy Institute. A former army officer, he has had operational service with the UN in South Lebanon and Syria, with the PBG in East Timor, in Beirut during the 2006 war, and in Afghanistan. He has written numerous journal, media and policy articles, is a frequent commentator on Middle East issues for Australian and international media, and has appeared as an expert witness for several terrorism trials in Australia.