The Project on International Peace and Security (PIPS) is a highly selective undergraduate think tank designed to engage students in policy relevant research in the areas of international peace and security. Premised on the belief that rigorous research is a core component of a student's education, PIPS helps William & Mary's most promising students contribute to the body of knowledge about and inform policy debates on some of the most pressing security issues of our day.

Students selected to be PIPS research fellows investigate and write papers on questions or topics suggested by members of the policy community. These papers form the bases of honors theses, independent study projects, or publishable articles. In addition to writing research papers, PIPS fellows have the opportunity to present their work to policy officials and scholars at a year-end conference. They also receive assistance with publishing their papers in policy or academic journals, presenting their papers at academic conferences and attaining policy internships.

 

PIPS Students to Work for NATO

December 1, 2011

Emily Pehrsson (PIPS 2011-2012 Research Fellow, PIPS 2011 Intern) and Elsa Voytas (PIPS 2011 Intern) have been offered internships with the U.S. Mission to NATO for the summer of 2012. They will be working in the Office of Political Affairs and Armaments and Communications-Electronics Directorate Office, respectively. They will spend approximately nine weeks in Brussels, Belgium gaining first-hand experience addressing security challenges for the United States. Due to the efforts of William and Mary alumna Dr. Barbara Pate Glacel '70, twenty students have had the opportunity to participate in this internship since 2005.

Benjamin Buch Attends the Student Conference on US Affairs (SCUSA) at Westpoint

November 2-5, 2011

The Student Conference on US Affairs is an annual four day conference hosted at The United States Military Academy at West Point. The purpose of the conference is to facilitate interaction and constructive discussion between student delegates in order for them better understand the intricacies of the challenges that the United States faces in a global society. SCUSA delegates attend panel discussions, keynotes speakers, and roundtable sessions. Roundtable sessions such as Strategic Asia, and Transnational Crime, and Human Security in the Developing World are designed to produce thought provoking conversations between participants. The result of discussions are policy proposal papers, the best of which are published in the Undergraduate Journal of Social Sciences.

W&M Takes Second Place at CIA Crisis Simulation Competition

November 3, 2011

A Project on International Peace and Security (PIPS) team - consisting of Katie Mitchell, Emily Pehrsson, Dallen McNerney, and Connor Smith - placed second at a CIA Crisis Simulation Competition held at Georgetown University on November 3rd. The competition asks students to make sense of and prepare a briefing on an evolving international crisis, while CIA representatives tried to overwhelm them with new data and briefing requirements. Senior analysts from the Directorate of Intelligence, playing the role of Intelligence Community leaders, judged the teams on their analytical ability and acumen in responding to difficult questions.

This year's Crisis Simulation involved teams from American University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Howard University, Sweet Briar College, University of Maryland, Virginia Tech, Washington College, George Mason University, University of Virginia, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Washington College took first place in the event.

The CIA Crisis Simulation is an outgrowth of a pilot project suggested and hosted by PIPS last year. The success of that pilot has led to an annual regional crisis competition.

 

PIPS Fellows Meet with Representatives of the Air Force Air Combat Command's Office of Scientific Research

October 13, 2011

On October 13th, the PIPS research fellows meet with Dr. Janet Fender and Dr. David Robbie to discuss energy based non-lethal weapons technology.

Dr. Janet S. Fender, a Senior Level executive, is the Scientific Adviser to the Commander, Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va. She serves as the Command Chief Scientist providing scientific expertise and technical guidance throughout ACC. As primary interface to the scientific community, Dr. Fender identifies leading edge technologies and catalyzes effective, rapid enhancements to ACC's war-fighting capabilities.

In previous positions at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Dr. Fender served as Chief Scientist for Space Vehicles and Senior Scientist for Advanced Imaging. Her multifaceted career in science and technology includes basic laboratory research, fielding new capabilities, key technical positions in major programs, and support to operations. Her research in the field of directed energy was a cornerstone for the Strategic Defense Initiative. Ultimately responsible for the design and engineering of Air Force Space Command's premier space surveillance sensor, Dr. Fender's leadership ensured full operational readiness of the Advanced Electro-Optical Sensor at Mount Haleakala, Hawaii.

As the U.S. member of the United Nations Space Surveillance Expert Group, Dr. Fender participated in establishing international policy for space. Internationally recognized for research and development of innovative high-resolution imaging technologies, she has published more than 100 journal articles and reports, holds key U.S. patents, and is a frequently invited conference speaker. Dr Fender represents the Air Force on the Physics and Astronomy Board of the National Science Foundation, and she represents ACC on the NASA Advanced Aircraft Program Blue Ribbon Panel. She is a former chair of the Board of Assessment of the Physics Laboratory, National Institute of Science and Technology.

 

PIPS Fellows Meet with Air Force Air Combat Command's International Affairs Office

October 2011

On October 21, the PIPS research fellows met with Dr. Coyt Hargus and Lt. Donald Brunk, Military Deputy - International Affairs, for an hour long brainstorming session at Langley Air Force base.

Mr. Coyt D. Hargus is ACC's Deputy Director of International Affairs (POLAD) and as a Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commander of Air Combat Command (COMACC), Langley Air Force Base, VA. He also is a former Foreign Service officer (FAO). As Deputy, he assists the POLAD in his capacity as the command focal point and advisor to COMACC, subordinate commanders, and ACC senior staff on political-military affairs, policy analysis and global US strategic interests. Mr. Hargus routinely represents the command in the development of USAF Irregular Warfare doctrine and Building Partnerships and Building Partnership Capacity policy development. He routinely communicates with other nations, and throughout the interagency, as required to ensure the flow of information on matters which impact the command.

He is the former commander of US Army parachute infantry and special operations units, he earned designation as a Middle East FAO and has since served throughout the US Government in a variety of strategic intelligence and international affairs postings, including assignments in the Middle East and Africa, as well as in NATO and the Department of Homeland Security. In addition to his vast experience throughout the Middle East and North Africa, he has served in the Jordanian and Yemeni embassies.

Mr. Hargus has served as a university professor and routinely lectures intelligence/national security officials on Arab culture, Islam, fundamentalism and counter-terrorism. He is a long-term member of the FAO Association and was recently elected to serve on its Board of Governors. He further serves the FAO Association as Senior Editor of its professional journal, International Affairs. He is a published author on Mid-East national security matters.

 

PIPS Students Present Their Work on Capitol Hill

July 26, 2011

At the invitation of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), the Project on International Peace and Security conducted a luncheon information session for members of congress and staff on PIPS as an undergraduate think tank and new educational model. As part of the information session, PIPS Fellows Bridget Carr and Julia Zamecnik presented their policy briefs to approximately seventy attendees in the Rayburn Building. PIPS Fellow Lindsay Hundley spoke about her experience in PIPS and offered insight on the educational and policy potential of the PIPS program. For a transcript of Ms. Hundley's presentation, please click the following link.

 

2011-2012 PIPS Fellowship Application Information

PIPS is accepting six research fellows for the 2011-2012 academic year. If you have a strong desire to engage in original policy-relevant security research and meet the application requirements, submit your application by August 31, 2011.

 

PIPS Fellows Present Policy Briefs to David Gordon at The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

April 2011

On April 19th, The Project on International Peace and Security (PIPS) held its annual student policy symposium at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. David Gordon, currently Head of Research and Director of Global Macro Analysis at the Eurasia Group and the former Director of Policy Planning at the Department of State, served as discussant. Also in attendance were representatives from organizations, such as: the Central Intelligence agency, Department of State, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Maritime Intelligence Center, Avascent Group, Booz Allen Hamilton, CGI Federal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Northrop Grumman, Roosevelt Institute, Urban Institute, and US Institute for Peace

 

2010-2011 PIPS Policy Briefs Released

April 2011

The 2010-2011 PIPS Policy Brief Book is now available in electronic and print format. PIPS policy brief identifying current and emerging international challenges and offer creative and rigorously argued policy solutions. This year's policy book includes the following briefs:

 

Multicultural Diplomacy: A New Approach to Embassy Outreach

Energy Security Through Wild Diatomic Microalgae Cultivation in Latin America

Building the Indian Counterweight: A Multi-Dimensional Strategy for Securing Long-Term Indian Ocean Stability

Aerostats and Maritime Piracy: Providing Cost Effective Surveillance Off the Horn of Africa

Clean-Tech Mineral Security: A Three-Pronged Strategy For Supply Diversification in Latin America

 

Please click here for the electronic version. Hard copies can be obtained by contacting pips@wm.edu

 

Student Group Takes Virtual Library of Freedom to the World

By Erin Zagursky | Spring 2011

A new student organization at the College of William and Mary is seeking to help promote moderation and curb human rights violations in the world through the power of information.

The group, The Virtual Library of Freedom, has developed a website that contains articles, portions of literature and other documents on topics such as civil liberties, human rights and non-violent protest. The students hope that the website will promote cross-cultural, political discussion and present an alternative ideology to people living in areas prone to terrorist recruitment.

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PIPS and CIA Present Crisis Simulation Competition

By Joseph McClain | February 2011

The Central Intelligence Agency joined forces with William & Mary's Project on International Peace and Security (PIPS) to conduct the first-ever Crisis Simulation Competition, described as " a Model U.N. for the intelligence community."

A number of CIA personnel came to campus for the Feb. 7 event, held in rooms in the Sadler Center and the Cohen Career Center. In addition to William & Mary, participants in the crisis simulation came from Norfolk State, Sweetbriar College, the University of Mary Washington, the University of Richmond, Washington College, Old Dominion University and Virginia Tech.

"Usually the CIA will do a simulation two or three times a year with just a single school," Dennis Smith explained. " We proposed to them a competition-type simulation involving multiple schools. It was kind of like a Model UN for the intelligence community. They loved the idea and brought us a new scenario."

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2011 Summer Security Institute Fellows

November 2010

PIPS would like to acknowledge and congratulate the 2011 W&M Summer Security Institute Fellows. W&M Summer Security Institute (SSI) is a joint initiative between PIPS and William and Mary in Washington, D.C. program. SSI provides students with additional classroom training in international security, while also giving students practical experience by placing them in a faculty-mentored security or international relations related internships in Washington, D.C. Selection for SSI is extremely competitive, involving writing samples, letters of recommendation, and interviews. This year's fellows are:

 

PIPS Fellows Brainstorm with Robert Kaplan

October 2010

Robert Kaplan has been a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security since March 2008, and has been a foreign correspondent for The Atlantic for over a quarter-century. He is the author of Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power, published by Random House in October, 2010, with the paperback to be released in September.

In 2009, he was appointed by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board, which advises the Secretary on key issues. From 2006 to 2008, he was the Class of 1960 Distinguished Visiting Professor in National Security at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis. He has been a consultant to the U.S. Army's Special Forces Regiment, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Marines. He has lectured at military colleges, the FBI, the National Security Agency, the Pentagon's Joint Staff, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the CIA, major universities, and global business forums. Kaplan has delivered the Secretary of State's Open Forum Lecture at the U.S. State Department. He has reported from over 100 countries.

 

PIPS Fellows Brainstorm with Major General Paul Schafer

October 2010

Air Force Major General Paul G. Schafer is Director, Strategy, Policy and Assessments, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany.

As Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy, he is responsible for formulation and staff direction of basic military and political policy, as well as planning for command activities involving relations with other U.S. Unified Commands, allied military and international military organizations and subordinate commands. He also serves as Director of Capabilities and Assessments. In this capacity he is responsible for development of force structure requirements; conducting studies, analyses and assessments; and for evaluating military forces, plans, programs and strategies.

 

PIPS Fellows Present Work to Ashley Tellis at the Brookings Institution

May 2010

The Project on International Peace and Security (PIPS) held its annual student policy symposium at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. Ashley Tellis, senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, served as discussant. Dr. Tellis is a specialist in international security, defense, and Asian strategic issues. Also in attendance were representatives from organizations such as: the Central Intelligence Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, Department of State, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Defense Intelligence College, U.S. Coast Guard, Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and PriceWaterHouseCoopers.

 

2009-2010 PIPS Policy Briefs Released

April 2010

The 2009-2010 PIPS Policy Brief Book is now available in electronic and print format. This year's policy book includes the following briefs:

 

Shifting Paradigms: Taiwan's New Asymmetric Strategy to Deter Blockade

Modifying the Madrassa: Promoting Moderate Islamic Education

A Different Fight: Narco-Commercialist Insurgencies in Mexico

Afghanistan and the Search for a Sustainable Economy

America and the Arctic Superhighway: Developing Economic Opportunities in a Warming Arctic

Countering Radicalism with a Virtual Library of Freedom

 

Please click here for the electronic version. Hard copies can be obtained by contacting pips@wm.edu

 

PIPS Fellows Meet with Ambassador Ryan Crocker

April 2010

Ambassador Ryan Crocker is Dean, Executive Professor, and Edward and Howard Kruse Endowed Chair at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. He has served as U.S. Ambassador to: Iraq (2007-2009), Pakistan (2004-2007), Syria (1998-2001), Kuwait (1994-1997), and Lebanon (1990-1993). He was a member of the faculty at the National War College from 2003 to 2004. He also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs from August 2001 to May 2003.

 

 

 

2010 Summer Security Institute Fellows

February 2010

PIPS congratulates the 2010 W&M Summer Security Institute (SSI) Fellows. Selection for SSI is extremely competitive, involving writing samples, letters of recommendation, and interviews. This year's fellows are:

 

William and Mary Summer Security Institute

The Project on International Peace and Security (PIPS) in partnership with the William and Mary in Washington, D.C. Office is proud to announce the creation of the William and Mary Summer Security Institute. The institute is a seven credit hour program that consists of: (1) four weeks of rigorous coursework and discussion on U.S. national security policy; (2) a nine week internship with a government agency or foreign policy-related institution - such as, The Brookings Institution, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and The Council on Foreign Relations; and (3) workshops on skills necessary for obtaining employment and succeeding in the intelligence and security communities - such as writing for the intelligence and security community, networking in Washington, D.C., and how to apply and interview for government or security-related jobs.

The Institute is accepting twenty students for the summer of 2010. Applications are now being accepted. Graduating Seniors and rising Juniors and Seniors are preferred, but exceptional Sophomores will be considered. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must submit a resume, personal statement explaining their interest in the program, potential internship preferences, one letter of recommendation, and a writing sample (maximum 1000 words) a W&M Government course. The deadline for applications is January 29th.

To apply, click the following link: Summer Security Institute

Or go to:

(http://www.wm.edu/sites/dcsummerinstitutes/about/index.php)

The Summer Institute website provides answers to many commonly asked questions; however, students with additional questions about curriculum or application requirements contact Professors Elizabeth Grimm-Arsenault and Dennis A. Smith. Questions about housing, tuition, registration issues, internships, or the on-line application process should be direct to the William and Mary in Washington, D.C. Office (telephone: 202.939.4000).

 

Changing the World in Six-Page Increments

By Joseph McClain | Fall 2009

"Largely unknown outside of the think tanks and government agencies within the D.C. Beltway, the policy brief is a demanding and important form of writing.

"Policy briefs are normally anywhere between four and six pages long and are very, very dense," Dennis Smith explained. "Actually, they're quite hard to write. What you have to do is to lay out a problem very succinctly and then add a solution- very simply. And the solution can be quite complex."

These situation-and-remedy distillations function as the narrative ball bearings deep inside the machine that turns the wheels of democracy. The four to six-page policy briefs are like acorns: some of them will grow into mighty executive orders, departmental directives or other documents that can leaf out into many hundreds of pages of minutiae and have world-altering effects. Others, again like acorns, never will see the light of day. But the truth is simple: If you want to be a player in the decision-making processes of public policy, you'll need to be as familiar with the policy brief as an Elizabethan poet was with the sonnet..."

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Alex Bellah Attends the Student Conference on United States Affairs

November 2009 | United States Military Academy at West Point

Alex Bellah, one of the 2009 PIPS fellows, attended the Student Conference on United States Affairs (SCUSA 61) in November. SCUSA is a 4-day conference held annually at The United States Military Academy at West Point. The purpose of the conference is to facilitate interaction and constructive discussion between student delegates in order for them to better understand the intricacies of the challenges that the United States faces in a global society.

Alex participated in a series of roundtable discussions as part of the "Challenges of India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan" group. Discussions were held among selected delegates from prestigious universities world-wide, including foreign military representatives. The conversation ranged from current issues such as COIN vs. CT strategies in Afghanistan and non-proliferation efforts throughout the region to the U.S. long-term vision in the region.

In-between the roundtable sessions, students had the opportunity to sightsee around West Point, the oldest continually manned military base in the United States, and observe the time-honored traditions in the mess hall. There were also a series of panel discussions consisting of decorated military veterans, influential policy-makers, and experts on a variety of issues from human rights to demographics. After the panel discussions ended, each group was responsible for producing a brief policy memo on their findings. Alex acted as co-author in presenting his group's policy prescriptions.

Finally, student delegates presented their policy memos through a series of skits that included news parody, substantial self-criticism, and significant amounts of policy-rap.

Read Alex's Policy Paper Here.

 

PIPS Fellows Meet with Edward Lacey

November 2009

Edward Lacey is Deputy Director of the Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. Department of State. He is a graduate of Notre Dame and Villanova and has a Ph.D. in political science from Rutgers University. Dr. Lacey's area of expertise is nonproliferation, and he has served as Ambassador to the International Conference on Verification of the Biological Weapons Convention. He has also served as Special Assistant to the President's Advisor for Arms Control Matters and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Verification and Compliance.