Middle East Research Internship — Hybrid/Remote Fall 2026

Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD); Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 15,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) in Washington, DC offers internship opportunities focused on national security and foreign policy. Interns will conduct research on critical projects related to the Middle East and work with leading scholars.

Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and relevant coursework in fields such as International Relations or Political Science. Strong writing skills and research experience are essential. Both hybrid and remote internships are available.

Qualifications

• Must have at least a 3.2 GPA.
• Completed coursework in relevant fields.
• Commit to a minimum of 22 hours per week.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on Middle East politics, international relations, and security.
• Work closely with Dr. David Adesnik and the research team.
• Participate in a speaker series and collaborate with FDD scholars.

Skills

Research experience

Strong writing capabilities

Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Basic Excel skills

Ability to conduct research in a foreign language (Persian, Arabic, Hebrew)

Education

Relevant course of study (International Relations, Security Studies, etc.)

Job description

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) in Washington, DC offers internship opportunities focused on national security and foreign policy. Interns will conduct research on critical projects related to the Middle East and work with leading scholars.

Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and relevant coursework in fields such as International Relations or Political Science. Strong writing skills and research experience are essential. Both hybrid and remote internships are available.