Samuel Bendett is an adviser with CNA's Strategy, Policy, Plans and Programs Division, where he is a member of the Russian military analysis team. He is also an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, and a Senior Associate (Non-resident) with CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program. His work involves research on Russian military technology developments; uncrewed, robotic, and autonomous military systems; and artificial intelligence. He is also an honorary “Mad Scientist” with the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command's Mad Scientist Initiative.

Mr. Bendett's prior employment includes the US Department of Defense’ National Defense University, where he worked on emerging and disruptive technologies for government response in crisis situations. His previous experience includes working for the U.S. Congress, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations on foreign policy, international conflict resolution, and defense and security issues.

Mr. Bendett’s analyses, views, and commentary on Russian military robotics, combat autonomy, uncrewed systems and artificial intelligence capabilities appear in major domestic and international news and media outlets. He received an MA in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University and a BA in politics from Brandeis University.