Left to right: Adreana Qubaia, Kieran Ledwidge, Nadine Abdallah, Dr. William Potter (CNS director), Paul Oliver, Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala, Manuel Manriquez, and Andrew Smolik

Paul Oliver
CNS Project: IONP
University of Michigan
Major: Political Science
Country: United States

"Working as a summer intern at CNS has been an excellent experience. CNS offers numerous resources for learning and research and provides the flexibility to explore various topics in nonproliferation. In addition to updating websites, I have worked on projects on nuclear disarmament and UN Security Council Resolution 1540. I also had the chance to research and write my own paper on fuel banks and other proposals for multilateral control of the nuclear fuel cycle.

After several months at the IONP, I have developed a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and the nonproliferation regime in general. The highlight of the summer was the opportunity to sit in on the Monterey Nonproliferation Strategy Group meetings. I learned a great deal about the diplomatic process, the challenges facing nonproliferation, and the ways to move forward on this important international security issue.

Living in Monterey is wonderful, especially if you love the outdoors as I do. I spent many of my weekends cycling along the coast or reading a good book in the park. The other interns were great people and made adjusting to Monterey very easy.  I highly recommend the CNS internship experience to any student of international relations."

Kieran Ledwidge
CNS Project: IONP
Princeton University
Major: Political Science
Country: Australia

"My fellowship here in Monterey has given me the opportunity to contribute to the projects of the CNS (the IONP in particular), while pursuing my own research for a looming thesis under the guidance of a friendly and helpful staff, all in the setting of lovely (if occasionally overcast) Northern California. Having an extended period of time to focus on an aspect of international relations as specific as international organizations dedicated to the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction has been a unique experience for me. In particular, I was fortunate enough to be an observer at the sessions of the Monterey Strategy Group in which senior members of the international nonproliferation community discussed current obstacles and future initiatives necessary to bring about nuclear disarmament. Observing these individuals debate such issues was a truly fascinating and educational experience.

I’ve found the Monterey area itself to be picturesque and inviting. I’ve had time to enjoy exploring a number of the surrounding locations such as Big Sur, Carmel, Santa Cruz and San Francisco to name a few.

These experiences however would not be possible were it not for the continuing generosity of Shelby Davis, and I’d be doing him a terrible disservice if I didn’t thank him for it again here. I’m truly grateful for his philanthropy over the years in both funding this fellowship and the general education of myself and many others – I can’t thank him enough."

Adriana Qubaia
CNS Project: Middle East
Middlebury College
Major: Middle Eastern Studies
Country: Jordan/Czech Republic
Middle East Project

"I have enjoyed my summer at Monterey very much as I got the chance to further explore my own personal interests in the Middle East while acquiring valuable research skills. I split my time during the internship between researching for my personal project and researching for my supervisor Sammy Salama. My supervisor helped me in picking out my topic and guided me through my project on Al-Qaeda’s presence and interests in Palestinian territories and the Palestinian cause. My other research projects included reading the Arab media for developments and reactions to Iran’s nuclear interests, and also researching the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan and elsewhere. I have also enjoyed attending many lectures on nonproliferation issues given by various CNS staff members, and have certainly expanded my knowledge in the area of nonproliferation to a great extent. The UWC Davis fellowship proved to be a wonderful learning opportunity and certainly a great way to spend the summer, I highly recommend it!"

Andrew Smolik
CNS Project: CBWNP
Cornell University
Major: Biology and Society
Country: United States

"Working at CNS this summer has been a great experience! Most undergraduate internships do not allow you to have to have the type of responsibility and fun that is encouraged here at CNS. With CNS being a smaller research institution it allows for close interaction with highly regarded senior researchers and professors while doing so in a laid back atmosphere. I was able to work on projects ranging from research into the biological weapons programs of Iran, Syria, and Libya to reviews of scientific publications regarding avian flu. I was even able to participate in a county-wide table top terrorist exercise relating to chemical weapons.

While the work is stimulating so are the activities arranged for the interns. This summer CNS hosted the Monterey Nonproliferation Strategy Group which brought together leading thinkers in the area nuclear proliferation. Nuclear proliferation is not my primary focus, listening to all the participants was fascinating. The brown bag lunches that brought diverse lecturers in a wide range of fields added to my intellectual experience. CNS staff also took the time to show us the natural beauty of California. The center arranged for a day trip down the coast to Big Sur and Carmel which has awe-inspiring beauty. CNS is the place to be for a great interning experience in an important field of study. "

Nadine Abdallah
CNS Project: CBWNP
Earlham College
Major: Biology
Country: Lebanon

"Working at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies this summer has been a wonderful experience for me. Working at the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program, as well as having the opportunity to attend various lectures and seminars, has helped me further my knowledge and interest in topics of Non-Proliferation. Everyone I worked with in the office was great, and they were extremely friendly and helpful as I worked on my assigned project. My work consisted of participating in the planning for an exercise on health emergency response and preparedness for Monterey County, as well my main research project, which I started last summer, to map past Chemical Weapons dumping operations conducted since the First World War. I have learned so much through the research that I have done and the seminars I have attended, and even from informal conversations around the office and the Institute.

I very much enjoyed living in Monterey, a beautiful city full of history and great sites; although the weather was something I needed to adapt to, as I have never experienced cold summers before. My time here has taught me a lot, on more than an academic and educational level, and has even sparked my interest in possibly pursuing a graduate degree here at MIIS. The idea of having a center dedicated to educating and spreading awareness and pursuing non-proliferation is very admirable, idealistic, yet unfortunately quite rare. It would be great to see this mission grow and spread across more places, and even though the situation in our world today may seem quite grim, there are many people who want to take part in this effort and make a difference. This fellowship has been a wonderful opportunity for me, and I would definitely recommend this program to future applicants."

Manuel Manriquez
CNS Project: EANP
UC Berkeley
Major: Political Science & Asian Studies
Country: United States

"One word can accurately describe my internship at CNS: magnificent! As a re-entry undergraduate student I have had years of experience at thankless jobs in many different fields.  Now, for the first time in my life, I am proud to tell people about the work I do and the environment that I operate in. The beauty of this internship is that I am learning and expanding my grasp on ideas, concepts, and events directly related to my field of interest every day. I am able to explore depths of international affairs and nonproliferation that are not possible in school because I am spending almost 40 hours a week immersed in this field. I have worked on updating a North Korea missile chronology for the Nuclear Threat Initiative website, and I am writing a research paper on Japan’s move toward the militarization of its satellite reconnaissance program. I see this experience as the best way to get a feel for research in the non-profit international affairs field and a stepping stone to a career in this arena after graduation. I also know that when I apply to graduate schools, the reviewers will look quite favorably on this experience because it shows that I have the initiative and capability to perform well in an intellectually challenging and stimulating atmosphere.

As for the East Asia Nonproliferation Program, I have found the staff to be engaging, helpful, and incredibly supportive. Also, being in contact with top scholars who are working for CNS and/or teaching at the Monterey Institute for International Studies on a daily basis is great. Many of them have offered me assistance with my research project and I know that the quality of their guidance is top notch. Finally, the opportunity to engage in activities outside of the office such as lectures, field trips, and other events adds dynamism to the internship. My days are never monotonous and I am rarely asked to perform typical office errands or tasks. Instead I am treated as an important member of the team, and I am offered meaningful assignments that keep my work interesting. Overall, it has been my dream internship!"