The Critical Threats Project, led by Senior Fellow Frederick W. Kagan, tracks and analyzes current and emerging challenges to American national security. An intern will work with Africa Team Lead Liam Karr to support the project’s research on US national security interests in Africa, including state powers such as China, Iran, and Russia and non-state groups like the Islamic State and al Qaeda. Research will include open-source tracking and analysis of key state and non-state actors and related political and security dynamics across the continent, especially in the Horn of Africa, West Africa, and the Great Lakes region. Interns will also assist in research and production tasks for the weekly Africa File newsletter, mapping updates, and other long-term projects.
The internship includes educational modules for developing intelligence analysis tradecraft. Interested candidates should demonstrate strong writing and analytical skills, the ability to conduct independent research, and the ability to work on a team. Initiative, dedication to the project’s mission, an excellent work ethic, technological proficiency, creativity, and a genuine interest in Africa are highly valued. The ability to read and research in French, Arabic, or other languages commonly spoken on the continent is a plus but not required.
Candidates who can intern 40 hours per week in person are preferred. Hours must fall within normal business hours in Eastern time from Monday through Friday. Please include your weekly availability for the position in your cover letter.
About AEI Internships
AEI internships offer a unique opportunity for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates to gain experience in research, writing, business, and communications at one of the nation’s leading think tanks. Competitive candidates will generally have a GPA of 3.5 or higher from a top-ranking college or university. AEI’s internship program runs for 12 weeks, and all related programming will take place in person in Washington, DC. Please see the internship program home page for updates.
The summer program dates are either Tuesday, May 26, to Friday, August 21, or Tuesday, June 2, to Friday, August 28
Who we are:
The American Enterprise Institute is a public policy think tank dedicated to defending human dignity, expanding human potential, and building a freer and safer world. The work of our scholars and staff advances ideas rooted in our belief in democracy, free enterprise, American strength and global leadership, solidarity with those at the periphery of our society, and a pluralistic, entrepreneurial culture.
How we do it:
We are committed to making the intellectual, moral, and practical case for expanding freedom, increasing individual opportunity, and strengthening the free enterprise system in America and around the world. Our work explores ideas that further these goals, and AEI scholars take part in this pursuit with academic freedom. AEI operates independently of any political party and has no institutional positions. Our scholars’ conclusions are fueled by rigorous, data-driven research and broad-ranging evidence.
Our work:
Our scholars not only engage in research that focuses on today’s most critical challenges but also look ahead to ideas and issues that have yet to be widely recognized. AEI scholars pursue innovative, independent work across a wide array of subjects. From economics, education, health care, and poverty to foreign and defense studies, public opinion, politics, society, and culture, our experts drive the competition of ideas.
