Stephen L. Quackenbush is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Missouri. His research and teaching focuses on international conflict. Specific areas of interest include understanding the dynamics of deterrence, the effect of settlements on recurrent conflict, and the effect of strategy and other factors on war outcomes. He is the author of "Understanding General Deterrence: Theory and Application", and his research has been published in journals such as the "Journal of Politics", "Journal of Conflict Resolution", "Political Research Quarterly", "Journal of Peace Research", "International Interactions", "Conflict Management and Peace Science", and "Review of International Studies". He served as an Army officer, including a year in Iraq in 2004, receiving the Bronze Star Medal.