Lisa McKinnon Munde
Lisa McKinnon Munde is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and holds an MA in Latin American studies from Stanford University. She is a 2022-2023 Hoover Veteran Fellow at Stanford University and former director of IWI’s Project Maritime.
Her academic interests lie at the intersection of Latin America, special operations, maritime security, and ocean governance—particularly as it pertains to increasing Chinese influence and strategic competition. Lisa finds the maritime domain a fascinating lens through which to view larger political, economic, and military questions.
She has written for a variety of outlets on national security topics including the Stanford International Policy Review, War on the Rocks, IWI, and The Hill. Additionally, she has written for the UK’s Glory magazine and the San Diego Union Tribune about professional soccer.
Recent Work
The Waiting Game: Signposts of Russia’s Coming Failure in Africa
Editor’s Note: this article is being republished with the permission of Small Wars Journal as part of a republishing arrangement between IWI and SWJ. The original article... Learn More
China’s Digital Yuan and the Fight for Southeast Asia’s Financial Infrastructure
While China’s Belt and Road Initiative often emerges in headlines, a far less visible but potentially more critical campaign is underway in the digital domain.... Learn More
What I Learned from Being a Planner in an Advisory Command: Reflections from the Security Assistance Group – Ukraine
“Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.” General Eisenhower’s famous words echoed in my mind as I embarked on a challenging six-month stint with the... Learn More