UVA Sea Power Project

The UVA Sea Power Project is a research initiative dedicated to the future of sea power and U.S. naval policy, recognizing that we have reached an inflection point in terms of tactics, strategy, research and development, and acquisitions.

Natural Objects and Environmental Processes as Defense Infrastructure

It is estimated that climate change and extreme weather have cost the DOW $15 billion over the past decade. Working for UVA’s National Security Data and Policy Institute as part of the National Security Policy Center’s 2026 Summer Internship, a team of UVA students synthesized the literature on natural objects and environmental processes as defense infrastructure, providing key takeaways for U.S. policymakers grappling with the impact of environmental degradation on military installations.

Food Security as National Security

Working for UVA’s National Security Data and Policy Institute as part of the National Security Policy Center’s 2026 Summer Internship, a team of UVA students synthesized the literature on natural and intentional biological threats to the U.S. food supply with the impact of emerging technologies in mind. Their work outlines the landscape of food security research in the U.S. today, examining the current methods for distinguishing natural, accidental, and deliberate outbreaks, policy implications, and directions for future research.

The Future of Power Generation in the U.S. and China

As part of the National Security Policy Center’s 2025 Summer Internship, two teams of UVA student researchers synthesized the literature on energy infrastructure in the U.S. and China respectively for UVA’s National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI). Their literature reviews provide key insights on existing infrastructure, emerging technology, and energy policy, offering analyses that examine the past, present, and future of power generation for both nations.

Ceasefire as Subsidy: Armed-Group Consolidation Under Colombia’s Total Peace

Over the course of two months, the National Security Policy Center’s 2026 summer intern cohort conducted research on critical national security issues on behalf of UVA’s National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI). The group’s work culminated in individual white papers on topics approved by NSDPI supervisors. Graduate researcher Charles Burns’ white paper, “Ceasefire as Subsidy: Armed-Group Consolidation Under Colombia’s Total Peace,” provides an analysis of Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s Total Peace policy.

Evaluating the Information Landscape of the 2026 Hungary Parliamentary Elections

Over the course of two months, the National Security Policy Center’s 2026 summer intern cohort conducted research on critical national security issues on behalf of UVA’s National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI). The group’s work culminated in individual white papers on topics approved by NSDPI supervisors. Graduate researcher Trevor Hamilton’s white paper, “Evaluating the Information Landscape of the 2026 Hungary Parliamentary Elections: Implications for Information Security in the United States and European Union,” evaluates the efficacy of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s disinformation strategy in 2026.

From Online to Offline: Mexican Cartels’ Recruitment Tactics Through Social Media

Over the course of two months, the National Security Policy Center’s 2026 summer intern cohort conducted research on critical national security issues on behalf of UVA’s National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI). The group’s work culminated in individual white papers on topics approved by NSDPI supervisors. Undergraduate researcher Rohan Iyer’s white paper, “From Online to Offline: Mexican Cartels’ Recruitment Tactics Through Social Media,” outlines policy options for curtailing online cartel recruitment efforts.

Dual-Use Seabed Mapping: China's Oceanographic Survey Fleet and the U.S. Undersea Advantage in the Western Pacific

Over the course of two months, the National Security Policy Center’s 2026 summer intern cohort conducted research on critical national security issues on behalf of UVA’s National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI). The group’s work culminated in individual white papers on topics approved by NSDPI supervisors. Undergraduate researcher Phillip Johnson’s white paper, “Dual-Use Seabed Mapping: China’s Oceanographic Survey Fleet and the U.S. Undersea Advantage in the Western Pacific,” evaluates the impacts of Chinese seabed mapping on the United States’ undersea advantage, submarine operations, and deterrence efforts.

In Critical Condition: Kazakhstan’s Multi-Vector Foreign Policy Approach to Critical Minerals Cooperation and its Implications for the Future of US-Kazakhstan Relations

Over the course of two months, the National Security Policy Center’s 2026 summer intern cohort conducted research on critical national security issues on behalf of UVA’s National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI). The group’s work culminated in individual white papers on topics approved by NSDPI supervisors. Graduate researcher Brooke Livergood’s white paper, “In Critical Condition: Kazakhstan’s Multi-Vector Foreign Policy Approach to Critical Minerals Cooperation and its Implications for the Future of US-Kazakhstan Relations,” assesses Kazakhstan’s bilateral critical mineral trade relationships with the U.S., Russia, and China.

The Second-Order Effects of the Degradation of Iran’s Axis of Resistance: Implications for U.S. National Security

Over the course of two months, the National Security Policy Center’s 2026 summer intern cohort conducted research on critical national security issues on behalf of UVA’s National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI). The group’s work culminated in individual white papers on topics approved by NSDPI supervisors. Undergraduate researcher Jane McGuiggin’s white paper, “The Second-Order Effects of the Degradation of Iran’s Axis of Resistance: Implications for U.S. National Security,” examines potential unintended consequences of joint U.S.-Israeli action against Iran that could undermine the United States’ future security interests.

Identification and Development of AI Talent in the United States

Over the course of two months, the National Security Policy Center’s 2026 summer intern cohort conducted research on critical national security issues on behalf of UVA’s National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI). The group’s work culminated in individual white papers on topics approved by NSDPI supervisors. Undergraduate researcher Maeve Myers’ white paper, “Identification and Development of AI Talent in the United States,” examines key challenges facing the U.S. as it seeks to build and retain its AI talent pool while providing possible policy solutions.

Uncrewed and Undersea: China’s XLUUV Fleet and the Contest for Seabed Surveillance

Over the course of two months, the National Security Policy Center’s 2026 summer intern cohort conducted research on critical national security issues on behalf of UVA’s National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI). The group’s work culminated in individual white papers on topics approved by NSDPI supervisors. Graduate researcher Peter Sullivan’s white paper, “Uncrewed and Undersea: China’s XLUUV Fleet and the Contest for Seabed Surveillance,” assesses China’s Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV) capabilities and the threats these vehicles pose to U.S. undersea superiority.

Militant Group Alliances and Rivalries

The Militant Group Alliances and Rivalries (MGAR) Database provides reliable information for a systematic understanding of the scope, causes, and consequences of violent non-state actor relationships.

2025 NSPC Intern White Papers

Over the course of two months, the NSPC’s 2025 summer interns conducted research on the national security implications of emerging technologies and strategic competition with China. As part of that work, each student researcher produced an individual policy white paper on a topic of interest to the National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI):

Addressing the Role of Deepfake Technology in Foreign Interference in U.S. Elections

Beyond Export Controls: Protecting American Investment in the Software Age

China’s AI-Powered Disinformation Tactics: Threats and Implications

China’s Maritime Strategy: Next Generation Technologies and the Future of South China Sea Security

China’s Strategic Deployment of Deep-Sea Mining to Counter U.S. Defense Presence in Oceania

Digital Battleground: Ethiopia, China, and the Future of U.S. Influence in Africa

Mining on the Moon: Policy Paths Forward

Policy Alternatives to Emerging Agbiotech Threats

The Case for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles in U.S. Transportation and Defense

Additional Research Projects

Defense Intelligence Agency Biocomplexity Project

Ongoing in partnership with UVA’s Biocomplexity Institute. 

The Military in American Democratic Life

China’s Global Influence: Economic Coercion and Supply Chain Interdependence

The Great Red Fleet: China’s Naval Diplomacy Worldwide 

Zero Tolerance: Repression and Political Violence on China’s New Silk Road

Phil Potter, Chen Wang. Cambridge University Press, Dec. 2022. 

Intelligence Community Research and Development Report

Contributed directly to the establishment of CIA Labs.

National Ground Intelligence Center Report: “Defining the Gray Zone”

Defense Intelligence Agency Survey of the Biosecurity Ecosystem 

Threat Perception and Deterrence after the War in Ukraine