Research Intern - Defense and Foreign Policy

To be considered for this role, you must apply directly through our online application. 

Overview

Cato's Defense and Foreign Policy program advances a strategy of restraint — based on the belief that the United States is relatively secure and should engage globally without trying to dominate militarily. 

The team creates policy analyses, op-eds, congressional testimony, and public commentary on US grand strategy, military policy, and foreign affairs across all major regions and issue areas. Current projects include the US-China competition and Taiwan policy; Middle East military engagement and Iran; nuclear weapons and arms control; the history and theory of American foreign policy; and the role of the national security state. 

Interns assist the entire team with research, writing, and event tasks that directly contribute to published analyses, scholarly projects, and quick-response commentary.

Responsibilities

• Conduct literature reviews on foreign policy and international security topics assigned by scholars, contributing to ongoing research projects and publications.
• Monitor developments in foreign and defense policy across regions and US policy institutions, including Congress, DoD, and State; prepare clear written summaries and analytical notes.
• Support scholars with background research, compiling sources, and fact-finding for policy analyses, op-eds, book projects, and debate prep.
• Attend Hill briefings, think tank panels, and policy conferences, and prepare summaries for the team.
• Assist with editing, reviewing citations, and preparing drafts for publication.
• Support archival and historical research relevant to ongoing scholarly projects.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of and genuine interest in US foreign policy, defense strategy, and international security — with a clear understanding of and alignment with a grand strategy of restraint and grounded in and aligned with Cato's principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.
• Strong research and writing skills, with the ability to produce accurate, well-cited literature reviews, research briefs, and analytical memos.
• Ability to track and summarize developments across various regions and policy institutions in a clear and timely manner.
• Knowledge of debates in US grand strategy, international relations theory, and modern security policy.
• Professionalism, reliability, and attention to detail — this work requires accuracy in sourcing, citations, and written output, as well as consistent follow-through on assigned tasks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate students in political science, international relations, history, or security studies are highly preferred; advanced undergraduates with proven experience in IR or international history are also encouraged to apply.
• Previous experience in foreign policy, security studies, or a directly related field—through a research assistantship, policy organization internship, published or submitted paper, or independent project with verifiable results
• Regional expertise or language skills relevant to the team's active research areas, including the Middle East, East Asia, Europe, or Russian/post-Soviet affairs.
• Familiarity with the team's published work and Cato's restraint-oriented perspective on US grand strategy; applicants are encouraged to review the team's recently published work before applying.
• Experience with quantitative or data analysis tools used in security studies, arms control, or defense policy.

The Cato Internship Program

Cato’s paid internships are available for undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, law students, and early-career professionals who are strongly committed to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace—principles that together form libertarianism, also known as “classical liberalism,” “market liberalism,” or, to many of our international friends, simply “liberalism.” 

All Cato interns participate in the same intensive seminar series, which covers a wide range of history, philosophy, policy, and professional development topics. Interns also assist with events and occasionally support Cato staff with other daily tasks. 

Interns receive competitive pay. Part-time roles are adjusted accordingly and require a minimum of 25 hours per week. Program participants must be able to attend in person in Washington, DC. 

For more information about the internship program and experience, we encourage you to explore our website. If you have any questions, email studentprograms@cato.org.