ASP Former Staff

Adjunct Fellow

Expertise: Event Planning, Social Media, Cyber Security, Climate Change, Energy Security, and National Security

Joining ASP in December 2013, Mr. Brockway was hired on as the Events Coordinator to handle the planning and logistics of the National Security & Climate Change National Tour. His main responsibilities include reserving venues, coordinating meeting... More

Adjunct Fellow

Expertise: Defense industry; American Competitiveness; Disruptive dynamics in national security and the defense industry; Asia Pacific strategy; Military and intelligence contracting

August Cole is a writer, analyst and consultant specializing in national security issues.

Adjunct Fellow

Expertise: American Competitiveness, Military Capabilities, Governance

Adin Dobkin is a national security and defense technology analyst with a with a background in communications and government affairs. He currently splits his time between Capitol Hill and acting as the Communications Director of the Military Writers Guild, a coalition of military officers, DOD civilians, analys... More

Adjunct Senior Fellow

Expertise U.S. Defense Policy, Use of Force, Counter-terrorism, and Defense Transformation

From late 2006 to August 2010, Dr. Bernard I. Finel was Senior Fellow and Director of Research at the American Security Project (ASP) where he focused on counter-terrorism and defense policy He was the lead author of ASP’s annual report, “Are We Winning? Measuring Progress in the Strugg... More

Adjunct Fellow

Expertise: Grand Strategy, Post-Conflict Stabilization, International Currency Reform, and Elections

Dan Grant is a consultant and instructor for the State Department’s Foreign Service Institute and the Defense Department’s Civilian Expeditionary Workforce and Ministry Of D... More

Adjunct Junior Fellow

Expertise: Climate and Environmental Policy, Energy Security Issues

Alex Kotran recently finished working in the field for the Obama Campaign in Ohio. He graduated suma cum laude from The Ohio State University with a degree in Political Science, ... More

President of the American Security Project

Expertise: Military and Defense Issues, National Security Strategy

BGen Stephen Cheney, USMC (Ret) is currently the President of the American Security Project (ASP), and served as ASP’s CEO from 2011-2019.More

Chief Executive Officer

Expertise: U.S. Foreign Policy; U.S. Congress; International Trade; Business Diplomacy; Trans-Atlantic Relations; Sub-Saharan Africa; Diplomacy; Politics and Governance; International Law & War; Transitional Justice and International Criminal Law

Patrick C. Costello is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Security Project (ASP) in Washington, DC. Cos... More

Former Chief Operating Officer

Expertise: Energy, Climate Change, Innovation, and Infrastructure Policy

Andrew Holland was the American Security Project’s Chief Operating Officer. His area of research is on on energy, climate change, trade, innovation and infrastructure policy. For more tha... More

Director, Nuclear Security

Expertise: Nuclear, Nonproliferation, Iran, North Korea, Arms Control

Terri Lodge was the American Security Project’s Director for Nuclear Security.  She is a Washington-based expert on nuclear issues, including arms control, Iran, North Korea and national security politics.  She has over thirty years of experience working at the center of nuclear security and congress... More

Former Director, Climate and Energy Security

Expertise: International Security, US National Security Policy, US-China Relations, Afghanistan, Climate Security

Alexandra Hackbarth is the former Director of Climate and Energy Security at the American Security Project. Her research exam... More

Director of Strategic Communications and Development

Annie Aleman is the Director of Strategic Communications and Development at ASP. Her past experience includes digital communications for domestic and international political clients. Annie’s work has taken her around the world, including a year spent in New Zealand with the international consultancy, Topham Guerin.

Annie received her Bachelors of ... More

Climate Security Outreach Manager

Expertise: Climate Security, Energy management, Sustainability.

Adam Despang is the Climate Security Outreach Manager at the American Security Project.

Adam, a former Army Field Artillery Officer, earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Psychology from the United ... More

Illicit Fishing Research Associate

Expertise: Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Policy, Marine Conservation, Climate and Ocean Policy, Natural Resource Management

Alyssa Withrow is an experienced ocean policy and conservation researcher based in Washington, DC. She began SCUBA diving when she was 13 years old and has since become acutely aware of the threats to our oc... More

Illicit Fishing Research Associate

Expertise: Ocean security, IUU fishing, green energy geopolitics, and environmental conflict 

Samuel Naujokas (he/him) is an M.A. in International Environmental Policy candidate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, CA. Within this program, he is pursuing a specialization in Ocean and Coastal Resource Management.

P... More

Research Intern

Expertise: Nuclear Security and Public Health

Originally from the Philippine islands, Marylin holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba in Canada, with a Major in Biochemistry and a Minor in Classics. During her undergraduate studies, she mainly focused on Materials Chemistry, but held an active interest in Nuclear Physics. She is currently a Master of Public Health... More

Research Intern

Expertise: International Security, Persian Gulf and Afghanistan-Pakistan geopolitics, Hazards and Disasters, US Foreign Policy

Sophia is the Development and National Security research intern for ASP. She is a senior in the Elliott School of International Affairs, pursuing B.A.s in Security Policy and Geography. Sophia’s studies have focused on US foreign pol... More

Multimedia and Research Intern

Expertise: Global Health, Public Health, Middle East, North Africa, Journalism

Kennington Cung is a current undergraduate senior at the University of California, Riverside where he is working towards a major in History with concentration in Middle East a... More

The Middle East, Technology, & Nuclear Security Intern

Expertise: International Security, U.S. Foreign Policy, Military Analysis, Nuclear Weapons, Iran, East Asia, Russia

Sungtae “Jacky” Park is the Middle East, Technology, & Nuclear Security Analyst (Intern) at the American Security Project where he writes analyses and policy recommendations on the Middle East, energy, ... More

Adjunct Junior Fellow

Expertise: Climate, Energy, and Nuclear Security

Philip Rossetti is a data analyst at the American Action Forum, where he focuses on energPhilip Rossetti is a data analyst at the American Action Forum, where he focuses on energy and environment policy. His ... More

Public Diplomacy Intern

Expertise: Strategic Communications, Digital Diplomacy, Public Diplomacy, National Defense, U.S. Foreign Policy

Originally from MN, Sarah Miner is an undergraduate at the College of William & Mary, where she studies International Relations... More

Adjunct Senior Fellow

Expertise Former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian & Pacific Security Affairs, Office of the Secretary of Defense

Mitchell Shivers is a former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian & Paci... More

Adjunct Fellow

Expertise European Union and German affairs; EU law; transatlantic relations; international and national security/foreign affairs law; and international economics and finance

Damon Terrill is Senior Vice President & General Counsel for International Legal and Regulatory Affairs at Integrated DNA Technologies (“IDT”) in Coralville, Iowa. Mr. Terrill joined the c... More

Policy Researcher and Intern

Expertise:

Katharyn Nicolle grew up in southern New Jersey. She is currently a junior at Dickinson College, majoring in International Studies with a concentration in Security Studies. She recently returned from Bologna, Italy after spending four months studying European political and economic integration. She took a year off from school between her second and third year... More

Policy Researcher and Intern

Expertise:  Nuclear nonproliferation, International security, and European political studies

Katharyn Nicolle grew up in southern New Jersey. She is currently a junior at Dickinson College, majoring in International Studies with a concentration in Security Studies. She ... More

Policy Researcher and Intern

Expertise: Nuclear nonproliferation, Conflict resolution, European and Latin American security studies

Brian hails from Bethesda, Maryland and thereafter has lived in North Carolina. He is currently a junior majoring in international affairs at The George Washington Univers... More

Policy Researcher and Intern

Expertise: Nuclear nonproliferation, Middle East, Koreas, International security

Prior to joining ASP in January 2013, Marianne had held internships with the international non-profit OneWorld Now!, University of Washington’s Federal Relations Office, the Center for S... More

Policy Researcher and Intern

Expertise: Energy Security, Climate Change, Climate Adaption

Danielle grew up in Southern New Jersey. She currently attends Monmouth University and will be graduating in May with her B.A in Political Science and Sociology. In school, Danielle focused on social issues and th... More

Position: Nuclear Security Researcher and Intern

Expertise: Chemical/Biological Weapons, Law Enforcement, International Relations, Aid and Development

Background: Christopher Smith is from Tulsa, Oklahoma and currently lives in Tucson, Arizona.  He attended the University of Tulsa and received degrees in Chemistry, History, and Biochemistry with honors in 2011.

In the spring of 2011 he was awarded the Univ... More

Position: Policy Researcher and Intern

Expertise: Nuclear Security

Background: Chelsea Sanchez was born in Washington, D.C. She spent a summer as an intern for Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, working closely with the Foreign Affairs Committee. She is a senior at Sarah Lawrence College, and will graduate with a History Concentration. She plans to attend Law School upon graduation. ... More

Position: Policy Reseacher and Intern

Background: Brendan Zehner was born in Glenside, Pennsylvania.  He graduated from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia. He is also an Eagle Scout.

He is a junior studying history and public policy at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.  His interests include American economic history and US trade policy.  He is a member of the College Partnership for Kids and... More

Position: Researcher and Intern

Expertise: Public Diplomacy

Background: Cara is currently a senior at the University of Calgary, majoring in Communications Studies. She has a B.A. degree in Psychology from The Kings University in Edmonton, Alberta. For 7 years, Cara was a police officer for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

She is currently an intern at the American Security Project researching public dipl... More

Position: Policy Researcher and Intern

Expertise: Environmental and Energy Security

Charlotte Baskin-Gerwitz pursued her BA at Tufts University, during which time she worked at British Parliament and at the Embassy of the United States in London.  After graduating from Tufts, Charlotte returned to London to pursue her MSc in International Public Policy from University College London and went on to work in public affairs for renewable... More

Policy Researcher and Intern

Expertise: Energy Security and East Asian Affairs

Mitch grew up in Chicago. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he studied international affairs and East Asian culture. His junior year was spent abroad in Kobe where he studied Japanese language, business, government, and law.

He now attends the Elliott School at the George Washington stu... More

Expertise: Political Economy, Trade Issues, Civil Conflict

Background: Brendan Connell is a graduate student at American University’s School of International Service (SIS) studying Global Governance, Politics, and Security.  He graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science from Binghamton University.  His research revolves around issues in international political economy and trade, specifically studying instances of ... More

Position: Research Assistant and Intern

Expertise: Technological Security, Energy & Climate Security, Governance Policy

Background: Kathy Duong, originally from Los Angeles, CA, is currently a graduate student at American University- School of International Service (SIS) studying Global Governance, Politics and Security. Her concentration is on Nati... More

Position: Research Assistant and Intern

Expertise:  Energy & Climate Security, Greece/Cyprus-US Relations, Democracy Building

Background: William Fassuliotis is an undergraduate at the College of William and Mary, studying Government and Biology. Originally from northern New Je... More

Title: Research Assistant and Intern

Expertise: International Development, Economic Security, Chinese and South East Asian Affairs, Environmental Policy

Kameron Simmons is currently a student at American University’s School of International Service pursuing a degree in International Relations with a s... More

Research Intern

Expertise: Russian and Eastern European Relations

Victoria is a rising senior at Yale University, majoring in Russian and Eastern European Affairs.

This past semester, she completed a semester abroad in Russia at Moscow International University. In her time at Yale, she has worked as a staff photographer at the Yale Daily News and as an officer in the Yale Film Society. Most re... More

Research Intern

Expertise: Public Diplomacy, International Politics, International Security

After being raised in Maryland, Thomas attended high school in Uganda where he interned with the Public Diplomacy Sector under the U.S. State Department. He is currently a rising junior in the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University pursuing a major in International Politics with a concentration in International Security.

Research Intern 

Expertise: Nuclear Security, Non-proliferation, Iran, North Korea, India & Pakistan, Alternative Dispute Resolution

Theresa is a recent graduate from the University of North Texas, and is originally from Buffalo, NY. She received a B.A. in French and a B.A. in International Studie... More

Research Intern

Expertise: Climate and Energy Security, African Affairs

Colin was born and raised in Springfield, Virginia just outside of Washington D.C. He is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Government and minoring in History at the College of William and Mary. At the College, Colin is the Director of Olympic Sports for Tribal Fever and an Associate Member Counselor to the Delta Chi Fraternity. ... More

Research Intern

Expertise: Climate and Energy

Justin Tolentino was born in Providence, Rhode Island, but grew up in the Washington metropolitan area. He is an undergraduate student transferring from George Mason University to the University of Virginia for the fall term of 2014. Additionally, he is working towards a BA in Government. Currently, he is an intern focusing on Climate and Energy at the A... More

Middle East Security Research Intern

Expertise: Middle Eastern Politics, Islamic Law and Governance, South Asian History, and Feminist Theory

Riza Kumar is a recent graduate of UCLA, where she majored in Political Science and Gender Studies. Before joining ASP, she interned with the National... More

External Relations Intern

Expertise: External relations, media and congressional relations

Sophie Shafer-Landau is a rising junior at Occidental College in Los Angeles, where she is majoring in diplomacy and world affairs. Before joining ASP’s team for media and ex... More

Energy and Climate Security Intern

Expertise: Energy, Resources and Environment, Nuclear Power, Non-Proliferation and Korean Relations

Steven Eisen is a current Master’s candidate at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies concentrating in Energy, Resources & Environm... More

Middle East Security Research Intern

Expertise: Middle East Development

Julia is an international relations and sociology major going into her senior year at Johns Hopkins.  Her focus is research training in global social change and development.  She previously interned at the Pell Center for Internation... More

Middle East and North Africa Research Intern

Expertise: The Middle East and Security Policy

Mahmood Abu-Rubieh is a rising junior at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he is majoring in international affairs with a regional concentration in the Middle East an... More

Fusion Energy Intern

Expertise: Science Policy, Energy, Nuclear Fusion, Climate Change, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics

William Furlow is a recent college graduate of the University of Texas at Tyler, where he majored in Biology. Before working at ASP, he worked at two research labs that... More

Asymmetric Operations Intern

Expertise: Cyber Warfare, Civil-Military Relations, European Politics

Steffen Westerburger is a recent graduate of the University of Nijmegen in The Netherlands, where he majored in International Relations. Before joining ASP, he interned for a Dutch M... More

Climate Security Intern

Expertise: International law, Conflict resolution, Climate change, and Refugee and migrants issues.

Ngoc H. Le is a current master’s candidate at Maxwell school of Public Affairs and Citizenship in Syracuse University. She is focusing on international law, conflict r... More

Energy Security Intern

Expertise: Security Policy, Energy, Climate Change, International Conflict, International History

Spencer Shweky is currently a student at George Washington University, where he is pursuing a bachelors in International Affairs, with concentrations in International Politics and International Economics. He’s an avid reader and loves to travel.

Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communications Intern

Expertise: Europe & Eurasia, Latin America, International Organizations, the European Union, the United Nations

Nicole Bohannon recently completed her bachelor’s degree from the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University, focusing in European and Latin American affairs. Born and raised in Washington DC, she has... More

Climate and Energy Security Intern

Expertise: Global Governance, International Conflict, Counterterrorism

Andrew Vaccaro is a first year master’s candidate at American University’s School of International Service studying Global Governance, Politics, and Security with a concentration in Global Security.  He recently completed his undergraduate degree from SUNY Binghamton, with d... More

Asymmetric Operations Intern
Expertise: History and Current Events of the Middle East, Strategic Studies
Elias Stahl graduated class of 2012 from the University of Toronto with a Bachelors in History and Classical Civilizations. Afterwards, he served in the Israel Defense Forces from 2012 to 2015, as a special operator in an elite canine unit. He is now a student at the Johns Hopkins S... More

Asymmetric Operations Intern

Expertise: Military History, National Security Policy

Jeesue Lee is a History and College of Letters double major at Wesleyan University. Her concentrations include military history and Classical languages. She is co-Editor-in-Chief of Historical Narratives, the annual undergraduate history journal.

Prior to joining ASP, Jeesue was a Program Coordi... More

Climate Security Intern

Expertise: Climate Security, Energy Security

Sari Klein is a rising senior at Boston University, where she has developed an independent major in Political Ecology. Through her coursework she examines the complex relationships that link environmental concerns with social, political, and economic institutions.

This past semester she participated in Boston... More

Asymmetric Operations and Public Diplomacy Intern

Expertise: International Conflict, Refugee Law, and the MENA Region

Laith Agily is a recent graduate from the University of Southern Mississippi. He majored in Political Science and minored in Human Rights, with an emphasis on International Relations. After completing his degree, Laith interned with the United Nations High Commissione... More

American Competitiveness and Asymmetric Operations Intern

Expertise: International Conflict, MENA, Persian Gulf, Iranian History and the Diaspora, Public Economics, Energy Economics, Refugee Education

Ariana Mirzakashani is a recent graduate from Smith College, with a major in Economics and a minor in Middle Eastern studies.  Ariana’s research focuses on the economies, pol... More

Climate and Energy Security Intern

Expertise: Climate security, nuclear security, US foreign policy history, strategic stability, Russian, French

Rose Blanchard is a graduate student at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, specializing in International Security.  Her previous work has included time spent at the Wilson Center doing Cold War resear... More

Public diplomacy and strategic communications intern

Expertise: US foreign policy, MENA, Iraq, Turkey, public diplomacy

Mohammad Alhassani is currently pursuing a degree in international affairs with a concentration on the Middle East at the George Washington University. He specializes in foreign policy and grand strategy. During his most recent time in Iraq, he conducted research on ... More

Climate and Energy Security Intern

Expertise: International Relations, US-Asia Relations, National Security, U.S. Foreign Policy, Chinese Foreign Policy

Riza De Los Reyes is a graduate student at the George Washington University studying Security Policy Studies. Her areas of specialization include relations between the United States and Asia and national policy making. After receivin... More

American Competitiveness and Economic Diplomacy Intern

Expertise: International Trade, Economic Policy, Monetary Policy, Free Trade Agreements, International Economic Institutions

David Woodside is currently pursuing a B.A. in Political Economy and a B.S.M. in Business Management at Tu... More

US-Russia Relations Intern

Expertise: International Relations, Russian, Comparative Politics, Chinese Communism, Human Rights and Inequality Studies

Anna Semler is currently pursuing Government and History at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She is concentrating on international re... More

Climate and Energy Security Intern

Expertise: Science of Environmental Policy and Politics, Terrorism and National Security Policy, Climate Change, Environmental Systems and Societies, Environmental Psychology, Environmental Ethics, International Relations

Elsa Yammin is currently pursuing... More

US-Russia Relations Intern

Expertise: US Foreign Policy Analysis, Russia, International Politics, Trade Policy

Lincoln Webb is a graduate of Truman State University with a bachelor degree in history, and he is currently pursuing a master degree in international affairs at The Bush School ... More

Climate and Energy Security Intern

Expertise: Climate Change, Environmental Policy, Military History, Sustainability

Justin Wick is a current undergraduate at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. His areas of specialization include the military history of the United States and Europ... More

Nuclear Security Intern

Expertise: Nuclear Security Policy, US-Iran relations, Middle East, International Institutions

Shannon McKeown is currently pursuing a B.A. in International Affairs with concentrations in Security Policy and the Middle East and a minor in History at the George ... More

Climate and Energy Security Intern

Expertise: Climate Change, Environmental Policy, Domestic Economic Policy, Human Rights Studies

Cara Capoccitti is currently pursuing a B.A. in Political Science and Economics at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. Her academic interests lie in exploring the many uniquely American economic policies that separate the United States from other ... More

Climate and Energy Security Intern

Expertise: Climate and Energy Security, U.S. Foreign Policy, Environmental Policy

Sierra Hicks is a graduate student in the International Affairs: Global Security program at American University’s School of International Service (SIS). She is a nati... More

Climate and Energy Security Intern

Expertise: Climate and Energy Security, U.S. Grand Strategy, Science and Technology Policy

Bradley Nelson is a second year graduate student at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University with a focus on Energy Security a... More

Nuclear Security Intern

Expertise: Nuclear Security, US Foreign Policy, International Security

Jessica Bateman is a first year graduate student at the Elliott School for International Affairs at George Washington University focusing on U.S. Foreign Policy and International Security Studies. She contributes to the International Affairs Review as a web editor and is a member of the You... More

U.S.–Russia Relations Intern

Expertise: U.S. National Security, Russian Culture and Politics

Sarah Illis is an undergraduate at the University of New Haven studying National Security. She has spent two semesters abroad in Italy to continue studying international relations and foreign policy.

Last summer, Sarah participated in Middlebury College’s immersion language program ... More

Asymmetric Operations Intern

Expertise: International Security and Stability, Military Policy and Strategy, International Law

Adam Ettelbrick is a rising Senior at Wesleyan University. He is a College of Social Studies major – an interdisciplinary program concentrating on Government, History, Economics and Social Theory. He focuses on the roles and impacts of international legal no... More

Public Diplomacy Intern

Expertise: Public Diplomacy, Japan, Sino-US Relations

Ellen Ehrnrooth grew up in London, England, but headed across the pond to pursue her undergraduate degree at Tufts University, where she is a rising junior studying International Relations with an East and Southeast Asia concentration, and a second major in Japanese.

Ellen interned at an inter... More

Climate and Energy Security Intern

Expertise: International Relations, the Developing World, the Democratic Process, Environmental Issues

Madeline Flamik is an undergraduate student at the State University of New York College at Geneseo. She is pursuing a BA in International Relations, with minors in Environmental Studies and French. Her studies concentrate on the Developing World. Sh... More

Junior Adjunct Fellow

Expertise: Nuclear Policy, US-DPRK Relations, Arms Control

William Lucier graduated from Fordham University last May with a BA in International Studies.

Last fall William wrote his senior thesis on North Korea. He argued that the North Korean regime is rational when viewed through the lens of realism; as its nuclear and ballistic missile programs bellicos... More

Climate and Energy Security Intern

Expertise: Climate Change, Sustainability, Environmental Ethics, Ecofeminism, Alternative Energy

Rachel Hagen is an undergraduate senior at Southern New Hampshire University studying Environmental Science with a concentration in Compliance and Sustainability.

Prior to joining ASP, Rachel participated in an intensive 2-week research expedition... More

National Security Strategy Intern

Expertise: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.

Connor Wagner is currently a political science major and history minor at Monmouth University in Long Branch NJ. Prior to working at ASP, Connor was a geographic information system (GIS) specialist at the Monmouth Polling Institute (A+ rated by 538), and US Sailing Instructor at the prestigious 900-m... More

Climate and Energy Security Intern

Expertise: Sustainable energy development, climate adaptation, and security

Nadia Cortez is a research and sustainable pathway professional with an acute ability to pinpoint incongruities within frameworks of international environmental policies. She is driven to identify strategic ways to inform the public about climate and energy issues to catalyz... More

Nuclear Security Intern

Expertise: Nuclear weapons, Nuclear policy, Nuclear deterrence, WMD, CBRN Terrorism, Intelligence studies, International security

Ottavia is a newly-graduate researcher especially interested in the field of weapons of mass destruction and their relationship to international security.

Over her academic career, she produced written pieces concentrating on Just War Theory,... More

Asymmetric Operations Intern

Expertise: Terrorism, Drones, Intelligence, National Security and Space, US-Russia Relations

Cat Cronin is currently pursuing a Dual Master’s in Public Policy and Political Science at Duke University. She is a coleader of the National Security Group that works closely with Duke’s American Grand Strategy program. Prior to beginning her Master’s, Cat ... More

US-Russia Relations Intern

Expertise: International Security, Intelligence, US-Russia Relations, National Security

Patrick Smith is currently pursuing a degree in International Security at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. This fall Patrick is participating in Korbel’s DC Semester program at the Maxwell School. His focus is on intelligence... More

U.S-Russia Relationship Intern

Expertise: Estonia and Latvia security policy, Arctic security, U.S.-Russia relations

Nicole Franiok is pursuing a Master of Public Policy in international security and economics at the University of Maryland. Currently, Nicole is a fellow at the Robertson Foundation for Government and an intern at the American Security Project. Her research interests in... More

Asymmetric Operations Intern

Expertise: Conflict Theory, International Law, International Organizations

Maywadee Viriyapah is a third-year undergraduate student at the George Washington University. While at GW, Maywadee has become a student leader on GW’s campus as a resident advisor for first-year students. Receiving her BA in political science and fine arts in December 2021, Maywa... More

Climate and Energy Security Intern

Expertise: Paleoecology, Genetic Engineering, Climate Change, U.S. National Security

Nicholas Cropper is a recent graduate from the University of South Florida where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology. As an undergraduate, he did paleolimnology research studying the ecological impacts of human development on a chain of lakes near Orlando.More

National Security Strategy Intern

Expertise: National Security, Afghanistan, Arts and Culture

Madeline McLaughlin is a recent graduate from the University of Utah. She previously worked as a policy analyst intern specializing in the U.S.’s foreign policy in Afghanistan with the American College of National Security Leaders. While interning at ASP Madeline will be f... More

Climate Security Intern

Expertise: Carbon Pricing, Climate Policy, AI and Machine Learning, Middle Eastern Affairs

Sam Humphries is a recent graduate of the United States Military Academy where he studied Mathematical Sciences and Terrorism Studies. Sam is interested in the intersection between analytics and policy and spent his time as an undergraduate researching revenue options for... More

Public Diplomacy Intern

Expertise: Public Diplomacy, Arts and Culture, Higher Education, US-China Relations, US-Japan Relations

Patrick Hines is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts Candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he is also pursuing a doctoral minor in Internation... More

Climate and Energy Security Intern

Expertise: Climate Policy, Environmental Science, Carbon Pricing, Public Policy, International Relations, and Energy

Alicia Orr is currently a senior at the University of Colorado at Boulder pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with two min... More

Asymmetric Operations Intern

Expertise: Public Policy, Domestic Terrorism, International Terrorism, National Security Policymaking, Intelligence

Juan Soto is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. His intere... More

Nuclear Security Intern

Expertise: Nuclear History and Policy, International Security, Science and Technology Studies, Arts and Culture, Cross-Cultural Cooperation

Olivia Popp is pursuing her undergraduate degree in Science, Technology, & Society from Stanford University with minors i... More

Climate Security Intern

Expertise: Climate Change, Democracy, Human Rights

Katie Foley is a Climate Security Intern for the American Security Project. She is currently finishing her undergraduate degree in International Affairs and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the ... More

U.S.-Russia Relationship Intern

Expertise: US-Russia Relations, Soviet History, Transnational Security, International Relations Theory

Benji Pullen is pursuing a Master of Arts degree from George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. Benji earned his Bachelo... More

U.S.-Russia Relations Intern

Expertise: U.S.-Russia Relations, Transatlantic Security, CBRN, NATO

Rylee Boyd is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies at the University of Aberdeen. Rylee earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Alabama. Her interests include Russian history and foreign policy, transatlantic relations and security... More

Climate and Energy Security Intern

Expertise: Climate Policy, Environmental Science, Carbon Pricing and Renewable Portfolio Standards, Public Policy, International Relations, and Energy

Adam VanGorder is currently pursuing a Master of International Affairs degree from the Pennsylvania S... More

Nuclear Security Intern

Expertise: Homeland Security, Nuclear Security, and International Relations

Landon Cooke is currently pursuing a Master of International Affairs degree from the Pennsylvania State University where he is concentrating in International and Nuclear Security. He is focused on a career at the intersection of science and policy and hopes to spend most of his time in ... More

Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communications Intern

Expertise: Public Diplomacy, Public Relations, Political Communications, International Relations

Sarah Forland is a current Public Diplomacy student at Syracuse University pursuing a master’s in public relations from S.I. Newhouse School of Communications and a master’s in international relations from the Maxwell School. Her int... More

Fusion Industry Association Intern

Expertise: Energy Policy, Climate Policy, Energy Markets, Nuclear Energy, Fusion Energy, Climate Technology

Daniel Slesinski is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Energy Policy & Climate with Johns Hopkins University. He is particularly interested in the intersection between clean energy technology, economics, and policy to enable a... More

Latin American Security Intern

Expertise: U.S.-Latin America Relations, Refugee and Forced Migration Studies, Authorita... More

Climate Security Intern

Expertise: Latin America Policy, Democracy and Governance, International Security, Climate Security

Katherine Seevers is an M.P.P. degree candidate and Robertson Fellow at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy specializing in international security and economic policy.

She previously administered democracy and governance programs in Latin Am... More

Asymmetric Operations Intern

Expertise: Displacement & Migration, Terrorism, Conflict & Development

Claire Brenner is a Chicago native and a Junior at The Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University concentrating in security policy and learning Arabic. As a scholar of GW’s Global Bachelor’s Program, Claire is utilizing three international ex... More

Senior Fellow for Climate Security

Expertise: US National Security Policy, Climate Security, South and Southeast Asia Policy, Internal Conflict

David Haines is a Senior Fellow for Climate Security at the American Security Project.  His research examines the national security implications of climate change.

From 2006-2020 he was an officer and aviator i... More

Nuclear Security Intern

Expertise: Nuclear Security, US-Russia Relations, Arms Control, Turkey’s Nuclear Program

Gevorg Novshadyan is a graduate of the MIIS/MGIMO dual degree Masters program in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies and International Affairs. He earned his undergraduate degree from UC Irvine, where he conducted research on NATO-Russia relations. He has studied abroa... More

Asymmetric Operations Intern

Expertise: US National Security Strategy, Middle East & North Africa Policy, Asymmetric Operations, Conflict & Development

Dominique Eric Varier is a junior at Johns Hopkins University pursuing a BA in International Studies & Economics with an Islamic Studies minor. Born and raised in Nyack, NY, Dom has a keen interest in US national security strategy and confl... More

Climate Security Intern

Expertise: Climate Security, Global Environmental Governance, Russia and Eastern Europe, Space Security and Sustainability

Weston Weber is a Climate Security Intern at the American Security Project. His research focuses on the national security implications of climate change.

Currently, Weston is a Masters of Global Policy Studies candidate at the LBJ Sc... More

Public Diplomacy Intern

Expertise: Public Diplomacy, U.S.-China relations, International Conflict

Jennifer Soler is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in United States Foreign Policy and National Security with a concentration in Diplomacy from American University’s School of International Service. Her interests include cross-cultural communication, Chinese foreign policy, Centra... More

U.S.-Russia Relations Intern

Expertise: U.S.-Russia relations, protest movements, Russia-Ukraine conflict, track II and III diplomacy, international security

Lera Toropin is currently a Master’s candidate at the University of Texas at Austin, where she is pursuing dual degrees in Global Policy Studies and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, specializing in security, law, a... More

American Competitiveness Intern

Expertise: International Trade, International Political Economy, US-China Relations

Emily Kachinski is a rising senior at Wake Forest University pursuing a BA in Politics and International Affairs with minors in Spanish and Environmental Studies. At Wake Forest, she is involved with the Alexander Hamilton Society, the Office of Sustainability and Campus... More

Climate Security Intern

Expertise: Climate Security, Environmental Governance, Development, Human Rights, Western Africa, and Southeast Asia

Holly Sarkissian is a master’s candidate in Global Policy Studies at the University of Texas, Austin LBJ School. She focuses on Environmental and Climate Security. She has extensive experience working for international NGOs, managing projects to promote glo... More

Nuclear Security Intern

Expertise: Nuclear Security, Iran’s Nuclear Program, Iran’s Foreign Policy, Sanctions Policy

Sepideh Zabel received an M.A. in Political Science and International Relations, with a focus on Iranian foreign and security policy, an M.A. in Economics, and a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Hamburg. She is currently a Ph.D... More

Climate Security Intern

Expertise: Climate Security, Migration, and Environmental Conflict Resolution

Thatcher Hart is a M.A. in International Affairs Policy and Analysis candidate at American University’s School of International Service. His research interests include U.S. foreign policy, climate migration, and environmental conflict.

Thatcher previously interned with the Of... More

Climate Security Intern

Expertise: Climate Security, Global Health, Women’s Role in International Development

Sarah Lawrence is a junior at The George Washington University, pursuing a Bachelors of Science in International Affairs and Public Health. Through her schoolwork, Sarah has gained a great interest in the intersection of health and climate change and seeks t... More

Asymmetric Operations Intern

Expertise: Hybrid conflict, counterinsurgency strategy, rhetoric & decision-making, terrorism, Middle Eastern relations, Lebanese politics, Russian relations, mapping & visualization

Caroline Steel graduated from Durham University (UK) with a 2:1 B.A. in International Affairs, Arabic, English Literature and Philosophy. She studied Arabic at the Fre... More

Climate Security Intern

Expertise: Climate Security, Energy Security, US National Security Policy, International Development

Jeremy Dasilva is an M.A. in Global Security Studies candidate at Johns Hopkins University. His research interests include energy security, national security policy and international development.

Prior to interning at ASP, Jeremy served as an Engin... More

External Relations/Communications Intern

Expertise: US national security strategy, arctic security, military history

Joel Petersen is a master’s candidate in Security Policy Studies at the George Washington University, Elliot School of International Affairs.  He focuses on US National Security.  He earned his undergraduate degree from Baylor University, where he majored in both Po... More

Research and Programming Assistant

Expertise: Great Power Competition, Russian Foreign Policy, National Security and Space 

Tucker Hamilton graduated from The George Washington University with a B.A. in International Affairs with a concentration in security policy and a minor in Russian. His research interests include national security, grand strategy, Russian intelligence operations... More

National Security Strategy Intern

Expertise: U.S. Congress, U.S. Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, National Security Policy, and Middle East Policy 

Sarah Nishioka is a Junior at California State University Fullerton pursuing a B.A. in Political Science with an emphasis in Comparative Politics. Her policy interests include U.S. Foreign Policy, United Nations (U.N.) relations, diplomac... More

Climate Security Intern

Expertise: Environmental Science, Policy Analysis, Climate Modeling, Renewable Energy, Environmental Policy

Sam Knoll is a senior at Boston University, currently completing an combined B.S and MA degree in Environmental Science and Energy Policy. His research interests include renewable energy, environmental policy, and food security.

Previously, Sam wor... More

U.S.-Russia Relations Intern

Expertise: U.S. Foreign Policy; U.S.-Russia Relations; State-Building, International and Domestic Economics; Political Thought; Comparative Governance

Vanessa Smith-Boyle is a senior at American University where she is earning a B.A. in International Studies with a minor in Economics. Her areas of focus include Europe and Eurasia, U.S. foreign policy and n... More

Climate Security Intern

Expertise: International Affairs and International Development, Environmental and Sustainability Science, Climate Security

Bailee Mathews is currently a junior at The George Washington University pursuing a B.A. in International Affairs with a concentration in International Development and a B.S. in Environmental and Sustainability Science with a minor in Econo... More

National Security Strategy Intern

Andrea Moreno is a graduating senior at UCLA earning her B.A. in political science. She is passionate about furthering her knowledge in government operations as well as pursuing careers related to international security. At UCLA, Andrea h... More

US-Russia Relations Intern

Expertise: US-Russia Relations; European Politics; US Foreign Policy; Transatlantic Relations

Ian Cameron is a graduate student at the George Washington University in the MA program in European and Eurasian Studies. His areas of focus include Russia’s relationship with NATO and the EU, transatlantic relations, and European politics. He is particularly int... More

Public Diplomacy Intern

Expertise: Cybersecurity, Foreign Policy, International Development, and Peace and Conflict

Abysinia Kasu is a senior at The University of Oslo, currently conducting an exchange program at The American University where she is earning her B.A. in International Development Studies with a minor in Political Science and Global Economics. Her research interests incl... More

U.S.-Russia Relationship Intern

Expertise: Nationalism in post-Soviet states, historical contexts of modern Russian foreign policy

Keegan Farrington is a Global Policy MA student at the University of Maine’s School of Policy and International Affairs. His areas of focus include Nationalism in Former Soviet States and its Effects on Russian Minority Populations, Russian Foreign Polic... More

Climate Security Intern

Expertise: Climate Change, Asia-Pacific Region, Democratic Governance, and Foreign Policy

Angus Soderberg graduated magna cum laude from Kenyon College with a B.A. in Political Science and Environmental Studies. His undergraduate thesis outlined the potential impacts of climate change on Taiwan’s geopolitical position.

Angus has previously interned at ... More

Climate Security Intern

Expertise: Climate Security, Climate Change, Atmospheric Science, Natural Disaster Resiliency, Infrastructure, Environmental Engineering, Military Studies, National Security 

Martha Christino holds dual B.S. degrees in Civil Engineering and Atmospheric Science ... More

National Security Strategy Intern

Expertise: Social movements in the Middle East, U.S.-Russia relations, nuclear security, and Latin American foreign policy 

Anmol Chowdhary is a rising junior at The George Washington University studying International Affairs with a concentration in s... More