- I have a broad background in International Relations and Comparative Politics, and specialize in environmental conflict and security. My research particularly focuses on low-level violence, scarcity-conflicts, and mechanisms of escalation. My dissertation explores low-level violence over the environment in Indonesia, sequencing individual events into processes in order to establish patterns of contention. I al... moreI have a broad background in International Relations and Comparative Politics, and specialize in environmental conflict and security. My research particularly focuses on low-level violence, scarcity-conflicts, and mechanisms of escalation. My dissertation explores low-level violence over the environment in Indonesia, sequencing individual events into processes in order to establish patterns of contention.
I also have many years of experience working for the government and non-profit international environmental organizations. I have spent the last several years working for the Department of State at the US Embassy, Tokyo, writing a daily media product. Prior to moving to Tokyo I worked for the Woodrow Wilson Center Environmental Change and Security Program, as a contractor for USAID, at Worldwatch Institute, the Environmental Leadership Program, the START secretariat, and the Institute for International Education. I have professional experience with research, analysis, communications, web development, desktop publishing, and project management. I am currently located in the Washington DC metro area.edit
Once one country in a region falls to conflict, statistically speaking its neighbors are more likely to also succumb. While this relationship clearly exists, it is harder to understand how conflicts spread. I contribute a mechanistic... more
Once one country in a region falls to conflict, statistically speaking its neighbors are more likely to also succumb. While this relationship clearly exists, it is harder to understand how conflicts spread. I contribute a mechanistic inquiry into the role of illicit trade networks in spreading civil conflict, arguing that greed-motivated insurgents in one country will actively seek to expand areas of instability and conflict since these conditions facilitate the transport and trade of their products. Greed-motivated insurgents can then seduce power-hungry groups in neighboring states to engage in the drug trade by promising wealth, training, and arms. Where grievances alone have been historically inadequate to foster any sort of sustained conflict, the increase in capability due to drug proceeds allow conflict onset to occur. I examine each of the countries bordering Myanmar, the largest producer in the “golden triangle” opium area of Southeast Asia. My preliminary analysis finds that conflict is most likely to be sparked in cases where there is a mid-range of state capability. Narco-insurgents only invest time and resources aiding and arming insurgent groups in countries that are not already too weak to police their territory or so strong that insurgents stand no chance of success.