Dr. Sandor Fabian

Leadership.

Dr. Sandor Fabian

Deputy Regional Advisor for U.S. Africa Command and IWC Functional Area Networks

Email: sfabian@irregularwarfarecenter.org

Dr. Sandor Fabian serves as the Deputy Regional Advisor for U.S. Africa Command and Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) Functional Area Networks at the Irregular Warfare Center. A premier subject matter expert in irregular warfare, Russian and Chinese approaches to conflict, U.S. foreign security assistance, and special operations, Dr. Fabian shapes the strategic networks and advisory frameworks that support global defense partnerships. He brings 20 years of elite military and institutional excellence to the Center, spanning international defense commands and prominent higher education institutions.

Dr. Fabian’s foundational expertise is rooted in his distinguished career as a Hungarian Special Forces officer. Throughout his two decades of military service, he held multiple vital national and multinational assignments, including serving as the senior Special Forces desk officer and advisor to the Hungarian Chief of Defense. At the strategic international level, he served as the Force Assessment and Evaluation Branch Head at the NATO Special Operations Headquarters. Following his primary military service, Dr. Fabian seamlessly transitioned his operational insights to international defense education, currently serving as an instructor and curriculum developer supporting NATO Special Operations training, exercises, and evaluation efforts.

An accomplished author, scholar, and researcher, Dr. Fabian deepens industry understanding of asymmetrical conflict through extensive academic publishing. He is the author of the book Irregular Warfare: The Future Military Strategy For Small States, and has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed platforms including the International Studies Quarterly, Strategic Security Journal, Defense and Security Analysis Journal, Special Operations Journal, and the British Defence Studies journal. He has also contributed prominent analytical commentary to the Modern War Institute, Small Wars Journal, and the British Royal United Services Institute. Alongside his research, he influences the next generation of security professionals as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Central Florida, where he teaches intelligence and international relations theory courses.

A highly credentialed scholar-practitioner, Dr. Fabian holds a Ph.D. in Security Studies and a graduate certificate in U.S. Intelligence Studies from the University of Central Florida. He earned a Master’s degree in Defense Analysis from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and completed his foundational military education at the Hungarian Miklos Zrinyi National Defense University. His extensive professional military education is anchored by completion of the U.S. Marine Corps Basic Officer course, Infantry Officer course, and Expeditionary Warfare School, as well as specialized advanced coursework at the U.S. Joint Special Operations University and the NATO Special Operations University.