Our next virtual open house is Friday, January 9, 3:00-4:00 PM. Join us to learn more about the Master of Information Technology Strategy (MITS) and the Master of Science in Security, Technology, and International Relations (MS STAIR). Register https://ow.ly/3ofQ50XL9ck

Happy New Year from all of us at CMIST! It is the beginning of another exciting year and we look forward to classes and events starting up again soon.

In a recent piece for the Modern War Institute, CMIST's Haleigh Bartos & co-author Sydney Laite break down the US Nat'l Security Strategy's pivot toward "narco-terrorists" and transnational crime and what it means for the US. https://mwi.westpoint.edu/what-happened-to-transnational-terrorism/

What structural factors contributed to the failed coup attempt in Benin earlier this month? Read the explainer from CMIST’s John Chin, via The Conversation U.S. https://theconversation.com/benins-failed-coup-three-factors-behind-the-takeover-attempt-271540

Testifying at the House Committee on Energy and Commerce hearing on securing America's energy infrastructure, CMIST's Harry Krejsa urged the US to treat the AI-driven energy grid overhaul as a strategic chance to build a more secure, resilient and competitive infrastructure https://ow.ly/qqAI50XL1Pa

The current Foreign Military Sales system must evolve to meet non program of record (NPOR) demands, argues Jamie Morgan, former Navy and DoD official and CMIST non-resident fellow. Read more https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/emerging-tech-allies-and-the-npor-flexibility-we-need/

Master the complex world where technology meets policy. Our professional grad degrees provide the strategic mindset and technical skills needed to lead in tech governance. Ready to take your career to the next level? https://www.cmu.edu/cmist/academics/graduate-programs/index.html

Get to know CMIST's USCG Fellow, Cdr. Bryan Kilcoin. Read about his research on port automation security, and his impact in the classroom, helping students connect their studies to current nat'l security events through guest lectures. Read here: https://ow.ly/NLOL50XLLuY

What does China want? Read the latest from Todd Hall and CMIST's Hannah Bailey on why China gives conflicting signals and how their foreign policy can be better understood as reflecting the interplay of three international personas. https://ow.ly/Aj8P50XKxOb

CMIST Non-Resident Fellow Jamie Morgan recently joined the Asia Society Policy Institute to discuss the key findings from the new report, "A Stress Test for Resilience: Risks and Opportunities for the US-Japan Alliance," and what to expect from the evolving leadership. https://ow.ly/2cx250XLMko

In Frontiers in Political Science, CMIST’s John Chin and Staten Rector argue that Taiwan’s success in deepening democracy and resisting Chinese sharp power hold key lessons for countering rising authoritarianism around the globe. Read their research www.frontiersin.org/journals/pol...

The U.S. National Security Strategy is changing. CMIST's Haleigh Bartos and co-author Sydney Laite break down the recent shift in focus toward "narco-terrorists" and transnational crime and what it means for the U.S. Read full article: mwi.westpoint.edu/what-happene...

How can the US help curb violence in Nigeria? CMIST’s Haleigh Bartos, @johnchin.bsky.social, and Julien Derroitte encourage an approach based on ‘carrots’ not ‘sticks,’ today in @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social's New Atlanticist. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...

Do historical analogies shape public opinion on foreign policy? If so, how and why? Read the latest research by @chriswblair.bsky.social, Paul Lendway, and CMIST's @joshschwartz.bsky.social in the Journal of Conflict Resolution. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

What are the security implications of increased automation at US ports? Read about US Coast Guard Fellow Commander Bryan Kilcoin’s research through CMIST's National Security Fellows Program and see the ways he has helped students connect their coursework to recent events. https://ow.ly/LoOQ50XL0uK

Today in Breaking Defense, CMIST non-resident fellow and former Navy and DoD official, Jamie Morgan, argues the current Foreign Military Sales system must evolve to meet non program of record (NPOR) demands. Read: breakingdefense.com/2025/12/emer...

“Coups beget more coups.” ICYMI: CMIST's @johnchin.bsky.social explains the recent military takeover in Guinea-Bissau and how these events reflect a polycrisis for countries in and around the Sahel belt. @us.theconversation.com Read: theconversation.com/guinea-bissa...

Do President Lee Jae Myung's remarks signal a bold shift in South Korea's posture toward North Korea? Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific Security Chair at Hudson Institute & CMIST distinguished fellow, joined Arirang to discuss. www.hudson.org/inter-korean...

How does AI "trustwashing" affect how people decide what to believe? ICYMI: CMIST's Hannah Bailey explains the "trust trap" and offers four ways to address it. Read:

Our next virtual open house is Dec. 18, 9-10 AM. Join Mark Gardner, CMIST graduate program manager, to learn more about the Master of Information Technology Strategy (MITS) and the Master of Science in Security, Technology, and International Relations (MS STAIR). Register https://ow.ly/AklK50XHs70

When it comes to redistricting, who should be included in the population counts? CMIST’s Jonathan Cervas provided an analysis of the effects of exclusion in the Rio Grande Valley to Votebeat. See what he had to say: projects.votebeat.org/2025/redistr...

What does translating coursework into practical experience look like? This past summer, CMIST undergraduates David Glick, Nazmee Kamal, and Carter Musheno applied their skills in defense policy, judicial administration, and international consulting. Read more: ow.ly/RP0i50XuKBb

Are recent gerrymandering efforts backfiring? ICYMI: CMIST’s Jonathan Cervas joined Dan Abrams to discuss the state-by-state breakdown of 2024 maps, special election data, the long-term consequences of the redistricting war, and more. Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8_8...

What structural factors contributed to the recent coup attempt in Benin? Read the explainer from CMIST’s John Chin: theconversation.com/benins-faile... @africa.theconversation.com @us.theconversation.com

Why does China give conflicting signals? In @thediplomat.com, Todd Hall and CMIST's @hannahlsbailey.bsky.social argue that China’s seemingly inconsistent foreign policy can be better understood as reflecting the interplay of three international personas. Read more: thediplomat.com/2025/12/what...

We're excited that CMIST's Jamie Morgan will be joining this knowledgable panel at Asia Society The event, "Risk and Opportunities for the US-Japan Alliance," will be hosted in Washington, DC, next week on Tues, 12/16, from 9:00–10:30 AM. Register here: https://ow.ly/AcyM50XG0RB

Congratulations to our MITS students who just completed their capstone presentations and will graduate this month!

Do historical analogies shape public opinion about foreign policymaking? Read the latest research by @chriswblair.bsky.social, Paul Lendway, and CMIST's @joshschwartz.bsky.social in the Journal of Conflict Resolution. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

How did the situation in Mali become so perilous, and what are the implications of a jihadist takeover? ICYMI: Read the analysis of CMIST’s Haleigh Bartos and John Chin via the Atlantic Council. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...

Have recent gerrymandering efforts backfired? This week, CMIST’s Jonathan Cervas weighed in on which party has the advantage and why the “redistricting war” isn’t yet over. www.huffpost.com/entry/republ...

Applications for the J. Steele Gow Political Internship Fund, a Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation which offers awards to political science undergraduates to support Western Pennsylvania local and federal government internships, are due January 13. Learn more: www.cmu.edu/cmist/washin...

“We should treat these modern energy technologies the way we now treat semiconductors: as critical industries requiring greater visibility, investment, and control by the United States and our allies," @harrykrejsa.bsky.social testified before Congress. www.techbrew.com/stories/2025...

How can rising authoritarianism around the globe be countered? In Frontiers in Political Science, CMIST’s John Chin and Staten Rector argue that Taiwan’s success in deepening democracy and resisting Chinese sharp power hold key lessons. Read their research: www.frontiersin.org/journals/pol...

Are recent gerrymandering efforts backfiring? CMIST’s Jonathan Cervas joins Dan Abrams to discuss the state-by-state breakdown of 2024 maps, special election data, the long-term consequences of the redistricting war, and more. Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8_8...

Safe roads. Clean water. Good schools. These are all products of local government. Read how CMIST is helping to expand the understanding of the impact of local government and the essential role it plays in our democracy. https://ow.ly/bQ7r50XBWar

“Coups beget more coups.” In @us.theconversation.com, CMIST's John Chin explains last week’s military takeover in Guinea-Bissau and how these events reflect a polycrisis for countries in and around the Sahel belt. Read: theconversation.com/guinea-bissa...

"The only way around this challenge will be through it, embracing modernization from top to bottom.” Harry Krejsa, Director of Studies for @cmist-cmu.bsky.social, testifying before Congress in a hearing on Securing America’s Energy Infrastructure: Addressing Threats to The Grid.

CMIST’s @harrykrejsa.bsky.social testified today before @housecommerce.bsky.social, urging the U.S. to treat the AI-driven energy grid overhaul as a strategic chance to build a more secure, resilient, and competitive infrastructure. Check out his responses: www.youtube.com/live/N74SPlD...

Did you know that for #GivingCMUDay your donations can directly support CMU's Washington Semester Program? Sponsored by CMIST, the CMUWSP lets Tartans spend a semester balancing rigorous coursework while interning in the nation's capital. Donate here: givenow.cmu.edu/schools/Carn...

"The people are losing. Every time we gerrymander for partisan gain, voters are worse off," CMIST's Jonathan Cervas tells ABC News. "A minus plus a minus is a bigger minus." abcnews.go.com/Politics/rep...

Support the minds who secure our future! This #GivingCMUDay, empower our research and students as they tackle the world's most complex challenges, from AI governance to cyber conflict. Every dollar creates new opportunities. https://ow.ly/SXCM50XAoqf

AI is creating an unprecedented surge in electricity demand. Our Director of Studies, Harry Krejsa joined a panel at the Aspen Digital Cyber Summit 2025 to discuss how the US can build secure and reliable energy infrastructure for the future. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nhVZPfbbKI

Ready to take your next step? CMIST’s graduate programs at Carnegie Mellon University are designed to prepare future leaders to navigate the evolving digital landscape. Apply by January 15, 2026. Learn more https://www.cmu.edu/cmist/academics/graduate-programs/index.html

From all of us at CMIST, we wish you and yours a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

CMU Pre-Law Program Alumni, AJ Beck (BHA 2019) credits her time interning in DC through the Washington Semester Program for showing her that she could move towards a legal career & still remain connected to her passion for theater. https://www.cmu.edu/pre-law/alumni-profiles/beck-aj.html

How did the situation in Mali become so perilous, and what are the implications of a jihadist takeover? Read the analysis of CMIST’s Haleigh Bartos and John Chin, today via the Atlantic Council. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...

Our latest Scientists & Strategists event on how democratic innovation and state-directed development are shaping US-China AI competition is now available to watch. Hear insights from John Costello and Dr. Thomas Șerban von Davier. Watch here: https://youtu.be/ZhcaYt5Tbck

Several of our faculty members are offering opportunities for undergraduate students to help conduct research through CMIST's Undergraduate Research for Credit course. Learn more about current research topics with open positions. www.cmu.edu/cmist/academ...

Why are people overconfident? What do we know about this cognitive bias? In this Veritasium video, CMIST & EPP's Baruch Fischhoff discusses some of his research that explored how people's perceptions of their accuracy compared to how accurate they really were. Watch: youtu.be/9M_QK4stCJU?...

What does experiential learning look like in action? This past summer, CMIST undergraduates David Glick, Nazmee Kamal, and Carter Musheno applied their skills in defense policy, judicial administration, and international consulting. Read more: https://ow.ly/RP0i50XuKBb