Middle East Intelligence Analysis Internship Fall 2026

understandingwar; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 10,044 - 11,160; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Scholarship up to $1,000 monthly

Job summary

Institute for the Study of War (ISW) invites motivated students or recent graduates to join the Middle East Intelligence Analysis Internship. The role includes daily open-source collection and analysis, under the guidance of ISW researchers, for the Middle East portfolio in partnership with CTP.

It is a full-time internship with potential part-time consideration. Interns will contribute to the Iran Update, assist with publications, and help plan briefings and events, with scholarship

Qualifications

• Motivated and organized college students or recent graduates with demonstrated expertise in a related field.
• Candidates must possess excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
• Preferable strong critical language capabilities in Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Kurdish, or Farsi; or a programming language such as Python.

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily collection and analysis of open-source information in native language sources.
• Contribute to long-term research projects on Iran’s Axis of Resistance, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, and Yemen under ISW researchers for the Middle East portfolio.
• Assist with editing, documenting, and compiling materials for publications; support planning, preparation, and execution of events and briefings.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Analytical thinking

Languages or Python

Job description

ISW Internship Program Overview

ISW is offering in‑person, remote, and hybrid internships for Fall 2026. ISW seeks motivated and experienced college students or recent graduates to join our intern team.

Middle East Intelligence Analysis Internship

Interns will conduct daily collection and analysis of open‑source information in native language sources and contribute to long‑term research projects on Iran’s Axis of Resistance, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, and Yemen under the guidance of ISW researchers for the Middle East research portfolio that works in partnership with the Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute. Interns will collaborate with the wider research team to generate the Middle East portfolio’s intelligence products, such as the daily Iran Update; assist with editing, documenting, and compiling materials for publications; and support the planning, preparation, and execution of public events and private briefings held by ISW. This is a full‑time internship (five days per week), but part‑time work will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be motivated and organized college students or recent graduates with demonstrated expertise in a related field.
• Candidates must possess excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
• Candidates should preferably possess strong critical language capabilities in Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Kurdish, or Farsi; or a programming language such as Python.
• Candidates must display the ability to conduct complex tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
• Candidates should be self‑motivated, independent, creative, and capable of working in a dynamic and fast‑paced environment.
• Candidates must show commitment to—and interest in—the core mission and values of ISW.

Fall 2026 Internship Program Dates

Internships start on September 8, 2026 and run until December 11, 2026. Interns must be authorized to work in the United States and be physically present in the United States during the internship tenure. Working remotely outside of the United States is not authorized. If you attend a US university on a student visa, you must be eligible for and obtain a CPT authorization before beginning at ISW. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.

Academic Credit

ISW will work with students to gain academic credit for internships where applicable.

ISW Scholarship Application

The Institute for the Study of War will offer intern candidates up to a $1,000 monthly living stipend as part of a scholarship program. To be considered for the scholarship, candidates must upload a scholarship application as part of their internship application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.

Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

1. Ability to contribute as a member of one of ISW’s research, operations, business development, or external relations teams.
2. Financial need, such that an unpaid internship would not be possible without assistance.

Scholarship Questions

1. Which ISW internship is your top choice? Why do you believe you are qualified?
2. What do you believe to be the most pressing national security problem the US faces today? What solution(s) would you propose?
3. Where do you see yourself in your future career? How will an ISW internship help you get there?
4. Why have you chosen to apply for this supplemental scholarship?
5. Are you currently receiving federal financial aid and/or need‑based aid from your university? Feel free to describe using as much detail as you are comfortable.

Tax Notice

Note that the up to $1,000 monthly scholarship is classified as taxable income.

Contact

Questions? Email [e-mail] for more information.