Bridging The Gap

When Rebels Win by Kai M. Thaler | Paperback | Cornell University Press In When Rebels Win, Kai M. Thaler explores why victorious rebel groups govern in strikingly different ways. Many assume civil wars destroy state capacity. In the Democratic Republic of Congo and Libya...

Congratulations to BTG alum Kai Thaler on his recent book and journal article!

When Rebels Win: Ideology, Statebuilding, and Power after Civil Wars (Cornell University Press): bit.ly/4qUtpeo

Crime, Crackdowns, and Democracy in Ecuador, Journal of Democracy: bit.ly/4sh9HLb

For 20+ years, Bridging the Gap has trained scholars to produce and share policy-relevant research. Our new report reflects on its impact and lessons learned: prioritize in-person engagement, hands-on skills, diverse recruitment, structured mentoring, strong networks, and ongoing support.

Educational Programs — ARC

Call for Applications: Advancing Research on Conflict Consortium Summer Program and Mini Course, June 1-5 in the Washington, D.C. area.

Designed for PhD students and early-career scholars who are preparing to embark on research in fragile, conflict-affected, or otherwise challenging field sites.

Exit from International Organizations | Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Congratulations to BTG Alum Felicity Vabulas on her recently published book, "Exit from International Organizations: Costly Negotiation for Institutional Change." Get it here: lnkd.in/gPYjXKGy

Dr. Vabulas was also interviewed about her book in Asia Expert's Forum: lnkd.in/gY2DumaT

BTG alum Dr. Sahar Khan was recently featured in the John Quincy Adams Society podcast "Security Dilemma," hosting episode 101, "Nuclear South Asia."

Listen here: jqas.org/security-dil...

ICE not only looks and acts like a paramilitary force – it is one, and that makes it harder to curb ICE, created in response to 9/11, meets most definitions of paramilitary forces. Critics worry it’s gone beyond its writ of immigration enforcement.

BTG Alum Erica De Bruin recently published a timely article in The Conversation, "ICE Not Only Looks Like a Paramilitary Force-- It is One, and That Makes it Harder to Curb."

From Empire to Aid: Analysing Persistence of Colonial Legacies in Foreign Aid to Africa For decades now, Western development agencies and donors have been castigated for their colonial biases in providing aid to Africa. It is well established that donors provide considerably more foreig...

Congrats to BTG alum Swetha Ramachandran for her Journal of International Development publication!

She also bridges the gap at CGIAR's Standing Panel on Impact Assessment "by translating technical findings into accessible insights for leadership ... and methods to better measure research uptake."

The Folly of India’s Illiberal Hegemony China gains from New Delhi’s support for South Asian autocrats.

We are pleased to spotlight another incredible BTG alum for their important work!

Dr. Muhib Rahman's “The Folly of India’s Illiberal Hegemony” was published in Foreign Affairs. Read about how "China gains from New Delhi’s support for South Asian autocrats": www.foreignaffairs.com/south-asia/f...

Global Perspectives | Dr. Lawrence Rubin | Season 2025 | Episode 6 Dr. Rubin is co-director of the GTDC Program, Assoc. Prof. in the School of International Affairs.

Media spotlight: We're excited to highlight BTG alum Dr. Lawrence Rubin, who recently joined PBS “Global Perspectives” as a featured guest, exploring how space and emerging technologies are reshaping the region’s strategic landscape.

Watch the episode here: www.pbs.org/video/dr-law...

Center for Global Security Research Postdoctoral Researcher <p><strong>Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!</strong></p><p>Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence...

Postdoc Opportunity Alert: The Center for Global Security Research (CGSR) is hiring multiple positions!

A great opportunity for recent PhDs working on great power competition, deterrence, arms control, or related topics who want to stay active in both policy and academia. Applications due Jan. 17.

We are excited to give a special shout out to BTG member Katie Whipkey, the lead author for the recently published report, 2025 Defining Feminist Foreign Policy. Read it here: lnkd.in/d3J6kwbr

Katie also participated in an interview with Modern Diplomacy about the report: lnkd.in/efnFzBta

The Bridging the Gap team is humbled and grateful to announce continued programming with renewed funding of $2+ million through 2028!

acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:...

Announcing the 2026-2027 Good Authority fellows program! Apply by Jan. 9, 2026 to join the Good Authority team of contributors.

Good Authority announces the call for its 2026/2027 fellows program! Fellows will receive training and mentorship in public engagement, especially in writing blog posts about political science research in ways that are accessible and engaging to a broader audience.

goodauthority.org/news/announc...

IPSI applications are now open for 2026!

This 5-day professional workshop helps international affairs scholars sharpen policy engagement, media skills, and public-facing writing. Professors and post-docs are encouraged to apply.

Spread the word to your networks! bridgingthegapproject.org/ipsi

Why everybody is hating on NGOs - Think Suparna Chaudhry joins guest host John McCaa to discuss what happened to the reputation of NGOs.

Shout out to BTG Director Suparna Chaudhry on her recent media appearances!

"Why everybody is hating on NGOs," NPR Think: bit.ly/3Kj6Qkf

"Busting myths about young Australian voters, plus the decline of NGOs," Australia Broadcasting Corporation, Late Night Live with David Marr: bit.ly/3M07qEd

Congratulations to BTG member Jamie J. Hagen on her new book!

Read Queering Women, Peace and Security: Expanding Feminist Approaches to Gender in Peacebuilding, published by Oxford University Press: global.oup.com/academic/pro...

Stumbling out of the Gates: Security Strategy and Military Weakness after Revolutionary Victory Revolutionary regimes may prove durable over time, yet they are often weak and militarily ineffective after victory. How do the circumstances of victory shape these weaknesses? Where old regime sec...

Congratulations to BTG member Kai M. Thaler for his new article published in Security Studies.

Check out "Stumbling out of the Gates: Security Strategy and Military Weakness after Revolutionary Victory" here: doi.org/10.1080/0963...

Now accepting applications: Foreign Policy for America’s NextGen Initiative is a unique opportunity for young foreign policy leaders to take action, engage with a strong community, and grow professionally.

Learn more: www.fp4america.org/nextgen-init...
Apply by Nov. 24: forms.gle/GwTraNgQQqeq...

Call for Applications: 2026–2027 Genocide and Atrocity Prevention Research Fellowships - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum The fellowships will provide support for policy-relevant research on the prevention or mitigation of mass atrocities.

Call for applications: The Simon-Skjodt Center's 2026–2027 Genocide and Atrocity Prevention Research Fellowship is designed for early-career scholars advancing policy-relevant research on genocide, mass atrocities, and prevention. Fellows receive funding, travel support, and more. Apply by Dec. 15!

Understanding China’s Politics, Policies, and Society: Papers Presented at a RAND Corporation Conference on China Research In light of the challenges brought about by a more complicated and consequential China, whose internal resources have become harder for foreign scholars and experts to access, RAND organized a large-s...

We're pleased to spotlight BTG Alum Wendy Leutert's recent policy publication with the RAND Corporation entitled “China’s Growing Domestic Economic, Social, and Environmental Challenges."

Read the article here: www.rand.org/pubs/conf_pr...

Bruce Jentleson Appointed to U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Committee on Conscience | Sanford School of Public Policy Sanford faculty member Bruce W. Jentleson has been appointed to serve a two-year term on the Committee on Conscience, which plays a key advisory role for the U.S. Holocau

CONGRATULATIONS to Bruce Jentleson, BTG Senior Advisor, who has been appointed to serve a two-year term on the Committee on Conscience, which plays a key advisory role for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

sanford.duke.edu/story/bruce-...

Congratulations to BTG community member Danielle Lupton on a new publication in PS: Political Science & Politics!

Check out "Base Assumptions: The Complex Electoral Geography of Stateside US Military Installations" below.

Washington’s Ironclad Commitments Are Rusting in the Indo-Pacific The recent wave of meetings between U.S. officials and allies in the Indo-Pacific have been studies in the duality of American diplomacy under President

BTG community member Gregory Winger recently had an article published in War on the Rocks. Read "Washington’s Ironclad Commitments Are Rusting in the Indo-Pacific": bit.ly/3IXOQLR

The article is partly based on an article published with Contemporary Security Policy, available here: bit.ly/4q6AQzX

Trump wants to punish countries that wrongfully detain U.S. citizens A new executive order aims to strike back against “hostage diplomacy.”

Congratulations to BTG team member Danielle Gilbert for her recent article, "Trump wants to punish countries that wrongfully detain U.S. citizens."

Read how "a new executive order aims to strike back against 'hostage diplomacy.'"
goodauthority.org/news/trump-w...

@danigilbert.bsky.social

Call for applications! Recent doctoral graduates or soon-to-be graduates, check out this great postdoc opportunity at MIT's Center for International Studies: cis.mit.edu/opportunitie...

Applications will be reviewed starting October 15, so prospective applicants are encouraged to apply soon!

BTG alum Meicen Sun recently wrote an op-ed published in The Hill on the need to expand, not shrink, the H-1B visa.

Read it here: thehill.com/opinion/immi...

When and How Do Presidents Terminate Sanctions? The Effect of Domestic Factors on US Sanctions Policy Abstract. How do domestic factors influence US presidents’ decisions to lift sanctions? Drawing on work emphasizing the domestic costs related to leaders’

2025 IPSI alum Hana Attia recently published the article 'When and How Do Presidents Terminate Sanctions? The Effect of Domestic Factors on US Sanctions Policy.' Check it out below!
academic.oup.com/fpa/article/...

Congratulations to Jordan Tama and Susanna Campbell on the publication of their book chapter, "Bridging the Gap in International Relations" (chapter 24) in the new Handbook of International Relations!

www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook/b...

The Teaching, Research, and International Policy (TRIP) Project is seeking proposals for short-term collaborative research partnerships between academic researchers and policy practitioners! Find more information below!

trip.wm.edu/home/Call%20...

Explaining the Proliferation of Nuclear Delivery Vehicles How and why do nuclear delivery vehicles proliferate? This article identifies a permissive environment in the nonproliferation regime shaped by three drivers for proliferation: First, the multipurp...

BTG alum Debak Das just published Explaining the Proliferation of Nuclear Delivery Vehicles in Security Studies. Check in out below.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....