Gregg Brazinsky is a Professor of History and International Affairs, Director of the Sigur Center for Asian Studies, Co-Director of GW’s East Asia National Resource Center, and Director of the Asian Studies MA Program at the Elliott School. He is proficient in Korean and Mandarin Chinese. His books include: Winning the Third World: Sino-American Rivalry during the Cold War and Nation Building in South Korea: Koreans, Americans, and the Making of a Democracy. He is currently working on two books. One of them looks at the role of emotions in Sino-North Korean relations and the other is a history of American nation-building in Asia. His op-eds and articles have appeared in The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, and several other publications in the U.S. and Asia. Check out his articles on our website on the COVID response in Asia and the Biden Administration’s approach to Asia.
- Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
- Program/Institute: Director of the Asian Studies Program in the Elliott School
- Areas of expertise: Korea, China, East Asia, U.S. Foreign Policy
- Institutions Attended: Amherst College (BA) Cornell University (Ph.D.)
- Teaching courses this or next semester: I’ll be teaching Asia: History Memory and Violence and The Cold War in the Third World in fall 2020
What made you interested in your field of study/expertise?
I was in graduate school at the time of the first nuclear crisis with North Korea and I realized that there was very little research on the history of U.S.-Korean relations. I recognized that this was an important topic and I decided to start learning Korean and made several trips to South Korea. I wrote my dissertation on American nation-building in South Korea and this later became my first book. My interest in Korea eventually developed into a broader interest in East Asia. I studied Mandarin Chinese for several years and now I am also learning Japanese.
If you could make any book required reading for the incoming class, what book would you recommend and why?
Well, perhaps it’s immodest but I recommend my recent book, Winning the Third World on Sino-American rivalry during the Cold War. We are on the cusp of a new Cold War with China and many of the basic points of contention between China and the United States—strategic and ideological—have clear parallels to the Cold War era. Too many policymakers ignore the lessons of history in their decision making. There are so many aspects of Sino-American rivalry during the Cold War that can help us better understand the present.
What advice do you have for prospective students who are on the fence about applying to the Asian Studies MA Program?
Right now, there is no major global issue in which Asia will not play a critical role. Aside from the obvious issues like growing competition with China and North Korea’s nuclear program, Asian countries will play a prominent role in global public health and preserving the environment. Asian technology companies are often on the cutting edge so people who want to go into international business or consulting will also benefit from a stronger background in East Asia.
What happy change have you seen or experienced since being in quarantine?
Spending more time with my dog, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi though he’s been pretty much sleeping and eating his way through the pandemic.
Want to connect with current Elliott School students and alumni? Click here to see how!
Find out more about this program by creating a CustomViewbook!
Join us for an information session, RSVP here!
Click here to apply to the Elliott School!
Twitter · Facebook · Instagram
The #ElliottExpert profile series is managed by the Elliott School Office of Graduate Admissions and highlights current professors to answer common questions posed by prospective, incoming, and current students. For more information on this series or to submit questions, e-mail the Office of Graduate Admissions at esiagrad@gwu.edu.
The views expressed by students profiled do not necessarily represent those of organizations they work for, are affiliated with, or the Elliott School of International Affairs.
Elliott School Office of Graduate Admissions 