Luke Coffey

Senior Fellow

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At A Glance:

Luke Coffey is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute. His work analyzes national security and foreign policy, with a focus on Europe, Eurasia, NATO, and transatlantic relations.

Biography

Luke Coffey is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute. His work at Hudson analyzes national security and foreign policy, with a focus on Europe, Eurasia, NATO, and transatlantic relations.

Mr. Coffey was previously director of the Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies at the Heritage Foundation from 2015 to 2022, in which role he oversaw and managed a team covering most of Heritage’s foreign policy and international affairs work. From 2012 to 2015, he was the Margaret Thatcher fellow at Heritage, focusing on relations between the United States and the United Kingdom and on the role of NATO and the European Union in transatlantic and Eurasian security.

Before joining Heritage, Mr. Coffey served at the UK Ministry of Defence as senior special adviser to then-British Defence Secretary Liam Fox. He was the first non-UK citizen appointed to this position by the prime minister to provide advice to senior British ministers. Among his duties was helping shape British defense policy in relation to transatlantic security, NATO, the Middle-East, and Afghanistan.

Mr. Coffey previously worked in the House of Commons as an adviser on defense and security issues for the Conservative Party. He helped develop and implement policy initiatives on security and defense matters, in particular drafting the defense section of the party’s 2010 election manifesto.

His work in British politics followed his service to the United States as a commissioned officer in the Army. He spent his entire time on active duty overseas and was stationed in Italy with the Army’s Southern European Task Force. In 2005, Mr. Coffey deployed to Afghanistan for a year and was awarded the Bronze Star.

Mr. Coffey’s commentary and analysis have been widely published and he has been interviewed on television and radio by prestigious media outlets in the US and overseas.

Mr. Coffey has testified before the US Congress on NATO, Arctic security, the war in Afghanistan, and US policy in the South Caucasus. He has provided written testimony to the UK’s House of Lords Committee on the Arctic. His research has been quoted in reports by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee and the House of Lords Committee on the Arctic.

Mr. Coffey received a Master of Science degree in the politics and government of the European Union from the London School of Economics. He holds a BA in political science from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and studied African politics at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa.

An avid traveler, Mr. Coffey has lived on four continents and visited more than seventy countries. A native of Missouri, he and his family currently reside in Northern Virginia.

10
March 2023
Past Event
Support for Ukraine’s Defense in the 118th Congress
Featured Speakers:
Luke Coffey
Representative Seth Moulton
An Ukrainian soldier is seen on the frontline, in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on January 29, 2023. Artillery systems are actively used in the Donetsk region, where the intense attacks took place as the Russia-Ukraine War continues for more than 11 months. Artillery batteries are also being used on the frontine, along with various heavy weapons such as warplanes, helicopters, tanks and armored vehicles. (Photo by Mustafa Ciftci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
10
March 2023
Past Event
Support for Ukraine’s Defense in the 118th Congress

Hudson Senior Fellow Luke Coffey sits down with Congressman Seth Moulton to analyze key aspects of Ukraine’s fight against the invading Russian forces, including the last Congress’s investments in Ukraine and the future of support in the 118th Congress for Ukraine’s defense.

 

An Ukrainian soldier is seen on the frontline, in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on January 29, 2023. Artillery systems are actively used in the Donetsk region, where the intense attacks took place as the Russia-Ukraine War continues for more than 11 months. Artillery batteries are also being used on the frontine, along with various heavy weapons such as warplanes, helicopters, tanks and armored vehicles. (Photo by Mustafa Ciftci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Luke Coffey
Representative Seth Moulton
24
February 2023
Past Event
Peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia? A Conversation with Ambassador Elchin Amirbayov
Featured Speakers:
Ambassador Elchin Amirbayov
Luke Coffey
Moderator:
Michael Doran
armenia azerbaijan russia
24
February 2023
Past Event
Peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia? A Conversation with Ambassador Elchin Amirbayov

Michael Doran hosts a discussion on peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan with Ambassador Elchin Amirbayov, the assistant to the first vice president of Azerbaijan, and Hudson Senior Fellow Luke Coffey.

armenia azerbaijan russia
Featured Speakers:
Ambassador Elchin Amirbayov
Luke Coffey
Moderator:
Michael Doran
23
February 2023
Past Event
The Iran-Russia Alliance
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
Luke Coffey
Can Kasapoğlu
Moderator:
Peter Rough
Paper planes hang in front of the Iranian Embassy during a protest against Iran's supply of drones to Russia in Kyiv, Ukraine, on October 18, 2022. (Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
23
February 2023
Past Event
The Iran-Russia Alliance

Join Hudson for a discussion on the extent of the threat and how the United States should respond.

Paper planes hang in front of the Iranian Embassy during a protest against Iran's supply of drones to Russia in Kyiv, Ukraine, on October 18, 2022. (Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
Luke Coffey
Can Kasapoğlu
Moderator:
Peter Rough
21
February 2023
Past Event
Keeping Ukraine on the Path to Victory
Featured Speakers:
John P. Walters
Minister Oleksii Reznikov
Ambassador Oksana Markarova
Mamuka Mamulashvili
Nolan Peterson
Paul Massaro
Melinda Haring
LTG (ret.) Ben Hodges
Maria Tomak
Bryan Clark
Moderator:
Peter Rough
Luke Coffey
A Ukrainian serviceman fires during a joint military training of armed forces, national guards, border guards and Security Service of Ukraine in Rivne region, near the border with Belarus, on February 11, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP) (Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)
21
February 2023
Past Event
Keeping Ukraine on the Path to Victory

Join Hudson Institute for a discussion on how the United States and its allies can continue their vital support for Ukraine with Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova, Commander of the Georgian Legion Mamuka Mamulashvili, former Commanding General of US Army Europe Ben Hodges, and other experts.

A Ukrainian serviceman fires during a joint military training of armed forces, national guards, border guards and Security Service of Ukraine in Rivne region, near the border with Belarus, on February 11, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP) (Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
John P. Walters
Minister Oleksii Reznikov
Ambassador Oksana Markarova
Mamuka Mamulashvili
Nolan Peterson
Paul Massaro
Melinda Haring
LTG (ret.) Ben Hodges
Maria Tomak
Bryan Clark
Moderator:
Peter Rough
Luke Coffey
14
February 2023
Past Event
Preparing for the Dissolution of the Russian Federation
Featured Speakers:
Alexii Goncharenko
Janusz Bugajski
Paul Goble
Natalia Arno
Inal Sherip
Luke Coffey
Fred Starr
Ambassador Temuri Yacobishvili
Moderator:
Glen Howard
Peter Rough
OLEKSANDRIVKA, UKRAINE - JANUARY 3: A cross near a destroyed vehicle commemorates a Ukrainian soldier who died during the liberation in November 2022 on January 3, 2023 in Oleksandrivka, Ukraine. The town located on the shore of the Dniprovska Gulf was occupied by Russian forces from February to November 2022. (Photo by Pierre Crom/Getty Images)
14
February 2023
Past Event
Preparing for the Dissolution of the Russian Federation

Join Hudson Institute and the Jamestown Foundation to discuss Russian domestic social friction and what US and allied policymakers need to do now to prepare for the Russian Federation's possible collapse.

OLEKSANDRIVKA, UKRAINE - JANUARY 3: A cross near a destroyed vehicle commemorates a Ukrainian soldier who died during the liberation in November 2022 on January 3, 2023 in Oleksandrivka, Ukraine. The town located on the shore of the Dniprovska Gulf was occupied by Russian forces from February to November 2022. (Photo by Pierre Crom/Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Alexii Goncharenko
Janusz Bugajski
Paul Goble
Natalia Arno
Inal Sherip
Luke Coffey
Fred Starr
Ambassador Temuri Yacobishvili
Moderator:
Glen Howard
Peter Rough
15
December 2022
Past Event
A Conversation from the Front Lines with Commander of the Georgian Legion Mamuka Mamulashvili
Featured Speakers:
Luke Coffey
Mamuka Mamulashvili
A patch with emblem of the Georgian National Legion seen on a soldier's uniform in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 30, 2022. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)
15
December 2022
Past Event
A Conversation from the Front Lines with Commander of the Georgian Legion Mamuka Mamulashvili

Georgian Legion Commander Mamulashvili and Senior Fellow Luke Coffey discuss the current situation on the front lines of Ukraine’s heroic defense against Russian aggression.

A patch with emblem of the Georgian National Legion seen on a soldier's uniform in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 30, 2022. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Luke Coffey
Mamuka Mamulashvili
07
December 2022
Past Event
A Conversation with Ahmad Massoud on the Future of Afghanistan
Featured Speakers:
Luke Coffey
Ahmad Massoud
Ahmad Massoud
07
December 2022
Past Event
A Conversation with Ahmad Massoud on the Future of Afghanistan

Please join the Hudson Institute as it welcomes Ahmad Massoud to discuss the NRF and the future of Afghanistan.

Ahmad Massoud
Featured Speakers:
Luke Coffey
Ahmad Massoud
21
October 2022
Past Event
Iranian Drone and Missile Proliferation: What Are Iran’s Ambitions?
Featured Speakers:
Luke Coffey
Can Kasapoğlu
Michael Doran
Moderator:
Peter Rough
yemen houthi drone iran ukraine saudi arabia
21
October 2022
Past Event
Iranian Drone and Missile Proliferation: What Are Iran’s Ambitions?

Iran’s disruptive military capabilities pose a significant threat to the strategic interests of the US and its allies. How great is the threat? How should the Biden administration react to it? Please join us to discuss these timely issues.

yemen houthi drone iran ukraine saudi arabia
Featured Speakers:
Luke Coffey
Can Kasapoğlu
Michael Doran
Moderator:
Peter Rough
19
October 2022
Past Event
Economic and Security Implications of the Russia-Ukraine War: Perspectives from the Czech Presidency
Featured Speakers:
Zbyněk Stanjura
Luke Coffey
Zbyněk Stanjura
19
October 2022
Past Event
Economic and Security Implications of the Russia-Ukraine War: Perspectives from the Czech Presidency
Zbyněk Stanjura
Featured Speakers:
Zbyněk Stanjura
Luke Coffey
23
September 2022
Past Event
Virtual Event | The Azerbaijan-Armenia Conflict and the American Interest
Featured Speakers:
Peter Rough
Luke Coffey
Michael Doran
James Carafano
Members of the military stand at attention in front of Heydar Aliyev Palace during the Armed Forces Day celebrations on June 26, 2022 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Aziz Karimov/Getty Images)
23
September 2022
Past Event
Virtual Event | The Azerbaijan-Armenia Conflict and the American Interest

On September 13, fighting flared up between Azerbaijan and Armenia that killed dozens of soldiers on both sides. Tensions between these South Caucasus

Members of the military stand at attention in front of Heydar Aliyev Palace during the Armed Forces Day celebrations on June 26, 2022 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Aziz Karimov/Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Peter Rough
Luke Coffey
Michael Doran
James Carafano
19
September 2022
Past Event
Europe in the Face of War: A Lithuanian Perspective
Featured Speakers:
Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen
Luke Coffey
Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen attends a joint briefing with Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov in Kyiv on May 12, 2021. (Yuliia Ovsiannikova / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
19
September 2022
Past Event
Europe in the Face of War: A Lithuanian Perspective

This event will stream live on this page on Monday, September 19 at 10:00 a.m.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine presents the greatest sec

Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen attends a joint briefing with Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov in Kyiv on May 12, 2021. (Yuliia Ovsiannikova / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen
Luke Coffey
21
May 2021
Past Event
Virtual Event | Ukraine’s Latest Security Crisis
Featured Speakers:
David Cattler
Ambassador Baiba Braže
Luke Coffey
Peter Rough (Moderator)
21
May 2021
Past Event
Virtual Event | Ukraine’s Latest Security Crisis

Please be advised: This event will premiere on this page at 12:00 p.m. EDT, Friday, May 21. Register for the event here or via the register button.

Featured Speakers:
David Cattler
Ambassador Baiba Braže
Luke Coffey
Peter Rough (Moderator)
A U.S. Air Force security forces raven, assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, maintains security aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in support of the Afghanistan evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA), Afghanistan, Aug. 24, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen)
Caption
A US Air Force security forces raven maintains security aboard a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in support of the Afghanistan evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan on August 24, 2021. (US Air Force photo by Donald R. Allen)
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luke_coffey
Senior Fellow
Commentary
4 Min Read
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken signs a book of condolence after the earthquake disaster in Türkiye during his visit to the Turkish Embassy in Washington, DC, on February 10, 2023. (State Department photo by Freddie Everett)
Caption
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken signs a book of condolence after the earthquake in Türkiye during his visit to the Turkish Embassy in Washington, DC, on February 10, 2023. (State Department photo by Freddie Everett)
luke_coffey
luke_coffey
Senior Fellow
Commentary
3 Min Read
U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), prepare F/A-18 Hornets to take off for flight from Łask Air Base, Poland, April 27, 2022. 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing units are deployed to enhance NATO's capabilities in Eastern Europe at the invitation of the host nation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam Henke)
Caption
US Marines with Fighter Attack Squadron 312 prepare F/A-18 Hornets to take off for flight from Łask Air Base in Poland on April 27, 2022. (US Marine Corps photo by Adam Henke)
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Senior Fellow
Commentary
5 Min Read