He has also been a Visiting Scholar at Harvard's Davis Center for Russian Studies and the European University at St. Petersburg, Russia. Lyall's research interests include the sources of military power and effectiveness, focusing equally on states and insurgent organizations. He specializes in assessing how identity and organizational culture can shape and distort an actor's strategy, force employment, and tactics in combat. Lyall also has a regional focus on Russia and, increasingly, the Northern Caucasus.