Shambaugh is the Gaston Sigur Professor of Asian Studies, Political Science & International Affairs, and director of the China Policy Program at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, Washington D.C. He specializes in China's domestic politics, China's foreign relations, China's military and security, and international relations of Asia.[2] Regarded inside and outside China as an authority on China's foreign policy, military and security issues and Chinese politics, Shambaugh has been cited in the state media.[3] He is a regular media commentator and has acted as an advisor to the United States government and several private foundations and corporations.[4] He was formerly the editor of the China Quarterly, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.[5] Shambaugh's book China Goes Global was selected by The Economist as one of the best books of the year.[6] In 2015, researchers at the China Foreign Affairs University named him the second-most influential China expert in the United States, behind David M. Lampton.[3]
Shambaugh is a participant of the Task Force on U.S.-China Policy convened by Asia Society's Center on US-China Relations.[7]