Introduction

I decided to start an academic blog as a challenge to myself, based on this post about academic advising by Sam Liles, an Associate Professor of Computer Information Technology at Purdue University – Calumet who writes about cyber-warfare as a form of asymmetric conflict. Mr. Liles requires his graduate students to maintain an academic blog with weekly postings. Granted, they do work in the field of computers, but Blogger makes this format accessible to children, so as a PhD student in political science, I should probably be able to figure it out.

Anyway, the first real challenge is not technological; it is the relentless output of thoughtful, well-written pieces of my own understanding and pursuit of knowledge. The other challenge is, of course, putting my wobbly-kneed concepts out for public criticism, preferably by scholars, professors and practitioners in my field. Ideally, if I am successful at developing enough interesting ideas right here on this blog, perhaps they will someday be shredded to pieces by one of my many intellectual heroes.

My main interests are in the field of international security, broadly defined. I worked as an analyst in the field of homeland security for over two years, and am always especially intrigued by ideas which effectively synthesize rigorous methodological analysis with real world policy implementation: for example, the partnership between USC's CREATE and the LAX airport police department which utilized AI algorithms to determine when and where to optimally place K9 checkpoints at airport entrances. When I see cops using game theory, I am happy. Topically, I am interested in the independent role of sub-states in the implementation of security policy which crosses international borders. There are many methodological options to asking and answering questions in this area, which I am exploring through my current work. More on this later.

I hope this will be the last I write on this blog that is in the realm of the personal. You can read about me here, if you find that information relevant to my ideas. Otherwise, this is a blog about intellectual concepts with as much scientific merit as I am capable of. 1,2,3 go!