He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Stanford University. His research and writing has focused on Latin American politics, particularly democratization and civil-military relations. His recent publications include Crafting Civilian Control of the Military in Venezuela (University of North Carolina Press, 2005); and Terrorism Financing and State Responses: a Comparative Perspective (Stanford University Press, 2007), co-edited with Jeanne Giraldo. Professor Trinkunas also serves as Deputy Director for Academic Affairs for the Center for Civil Military Relations at the Naval Postgraduate School.