Dan Gamarnik

PhD candidate, University of California-Santa Barbara (Political Science)

MA, University of Chicago (International Relations)

Hello! I'm a PhD candidate in Political Science specializing in International Relations and Comparative Politics. Specifically, I study international conflict with a focus on foreign conflicts between states and rebel groups outside the state's territory (known as extrastate wars). 

In my dissertation, "Distracted by Revisionists: The Causes and Consequences of Extrastate War" I use causal identification strategies to explore what causes extrastate wars (and lower level extrastate conflicts). I also study the consequences of extrastate war, particularly their effect on interstate wars. I find that many factors, such as military drones and rebel groups with specific ideologies increase the frequency of extrastate wars. I also find, surprisingly, that these wars also increase the propensity of states to wage interstate wars.

Beyond my dissertation, I also research how the environment can affect civil conflict as well the role of statebuilding in international conflict. I currently have some articles in press in political science journals. 

Previously, I was an analyst at the Program on Political Violence (PPV), Chicago Project on Security and Threat, at the University of Chicago. I also hold Master's Degrees in International Relations as well as Social Science from the University of Chicago. 

Email: dgamarnik [at] ucsb.edu 

UCSB Website 

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