INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Spring Intern, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Middle East Program

CompanyCenter for Strategic and International Studies, Inc.
LocationWashington
Work ModeOn Site
PostedNovember 12, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The intern will assist in the production and editing of the State of Play podcast while providing programmatic and research support for the Middle East Program. Responsibilities include monitoring current events, drafting research materials, and providing logistical support for program operations.
Internship Type
full time
Salary Range
$18 - $20
Company Size
1755
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world’s greatest challenges. Founded in 1962, CSIS is led by General Joseph F. Dunford, who was appointed chief executive officer in 2026. CSIS brings together more than 275 full-time staff and a global network of affiliated scholars working across four core areas of public policy: defense and security, geopolitics and foreign policy, economic security and technology, and global development. Our scholars are regularly called upon by Congress, the executive branch, the media, and others to explain the day’s events and offer recommendations to improve U.S. strategy. CSIS’s purpose is to define the future of national security. We are guided by a distinct set of values—non-partisanship, independent thought, innovative thinking, cross-disciplinary scholarship, integrity and professionalism, and talent development. CSIS’s values work in concert toward the goal of making real-world impact. X: cs.is/U4RJEq LinkedIn: cs.is/33W0gX8 Instagram: cs.is/2ZbBTkF Threads: cs.is/3vamuH2 Bluesky: https://bit.ly/4admmIb YouTube: cs.is/2TKVQ0k Podcasts: cs.is/2NuWcaD
About the Role

JOB SUMMARY

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 275 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

The CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy (GFP) Department is currently seeking candidates for a full-time, paid Spring 2027 internship running from early January to late May. This intern's time will be split evenly between the GFP Department and the Middle East Program. For the GFP Department, the successful candidate's primary responsibility will be to help produce and edit the podcast State of Play. The intern will provide programmatic and research support for the Middle East Program.

CSIS interns work downtown at our office in DC. All candidates must be legally eligible to work in the United States. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Interns have substantive programmatic and research responsibilities. Essential functions include, but are not limited to the following: 

  • Assisting in the production and editing of the State of Play podcast, in collaboration with the chief of staff of the GFP Department;
  • Assisting the special assistant to the president of Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department with programmatic tasks;
  • Monitoring current events in the Middle East and providing daily summaries;
  • Drafting research memos, presentations, event and meeting summaries, and other materials for Middle East Program staff;
  • Providing logistical and administrative support for the Middle East Program, including scheduling, events, and program operations.

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE 

  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher in international affairs, political science, or a related field;
  • Minimum of a 3.5 GPA on a U.S. scale or equivalent;
  • Experience in podcast production;
  • Strong demonstrated interest in and knowledge of international affairs;
  • Outstanding written, research, and oral communication skills;
  • Zest for challenging assignments that demand creativity.
Salary Range
$18.40—$20.40 USD

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK CONDITIONS


The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
 
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.
 
Equal Opportunity Employer. 

 

 

Key Skills
Podcast productionEditingResearchProgrammatic supportMonitoring current eventsDrafting research memosPresentation skillsLogistical supportAdministrative supportSchedulingCommunication skillsInternational affairsPolitical science
Categories
Government & Public SectorScience & ResearchCreative & MediaConsultingAdministrative