Master of International Security

Schar School’s Mahmut Cengiz: On the Frontlines of Global Security and Terrorism

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 17:42:08 +0000

Schar School’s Mahmut Cengiz: On the Frontlines of Global Security and Terrorism Andrew J Schappert Thu, 10/24/2024 - 13:42

Associate Professor Mahmut Cengiz: Studying terrorism ‘is not a job; it’s a mission.’ Photos by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

Mahmut Cengiz's first exposure to the brutal realities of transnational organized crime, terrorism, and illicit economies was in films he saw as a young man growing up in Türkiye. But these were not abstract horrors: They were living nightmares, unfolding in real time. The images of suffering and devastation seared themselves into his mind, igniting a fire in him to fight back.

“I couldn’t just stand by,” he recalled. "These crimes destroy lives—thousands, millions. I had to act."

Mahmut Cengiz: His students are ‘exceptionally well-prepared to become young experts in analyzing terrorism and this critical security issue in the U.S.’

Cengiz spent more than 15 years as a high-level official in law enforcement, focusing on counterterrorism and trafficking cases. During that time, he saved more than 300 victims of human trafficking. However, he had a larger goal in mind.

“I wanted to create a model to address human trafficking,” he said, reflecting on the lasting impact of his work. And to do that he needed to apply his passion to a different front—academia— where he could train the next generation of warriors to continue his battle.

Cengiz continues this work as an associate professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government at ��AV, where he not only teaches students how to follow in his footsteps but also leads a number of initiatives devoted to dismantling the systems of evil that perpetuate human suffering.

For Cengiz, “it’s not a job; it’s a mission,” he said.

Cengiz is a graduate of George Mason, having completed his PhD in 2010 at the Schar School before joining the Terrorism, Transnational Crime, and Corruption Center (TraCCC) in 2015. His current research focuses on the convergence between organized crime and terrorist networks, a growing trend in the international underworld.

“Convergence equals collaboration,” he said, describing how terrorist groups learn from each other to strengthen their operations. For example, he examines how terrorist organizations have adopted money laundering and smuggling techniques from organized crime groups to fund their activities. For Cengiz, understanding this evolving dynamic is critical for developing effective policy solutions.

Cengiz is currently leading TraCCC’s Global Terrorism Trends and Analyses Center (GTTAC), which collects and processes data for the U.S. Department of State. In its seventh year at the Schar School, GTTAC has gathered over 55,000 terrorist incidents, including attacks by Al Qaeda, ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah, lone wolves, and far-right extremist groups.

Cengiz invites and trains his students—there are 16 this semester—providing them one-of-a-kind, paid opportunities to work at GTTAC. Some 150 newly minted terrorism researchers have worked at GTTAC. That work often leads to publishing research and data-driven articles of opinion and to present their accomplishments at international conferences.

“They are exceptionally well-prepared to become young experts in analyzing terrorism and this critical security issue in the U.S.,” he said.

Cengiz appears frequently in international media outlets to share insights on transnational crime and terrorism. He regularly contributes to influential publications Small Wars Journal and Homeland Security Today, writing op-eds fueled by up-to-the-minute data collected at the GTTAC that raises awareness about the interconnectedness of terrorism, organized crime, and corruption.

He aims to make these complex issues more accessible to a broader audience, emphasizing the need for practicality and simplicity. His seventh book, Murder by Mail: The Global History of the Letter Bomb coauthored with Mitchel P. Roth, and other recent publications reflect his continued leadership and knowledge in the field.

Cengiz has a strong bond with his students and prioritizes enhancing their academic skills as they engage in analyses of global security issues.

In the classroom, Cengiz combines theory and practice, enabling students to gain from his real-world knowledge and transforming his expertise into impactful lessons. In fact, students have nominated him several times for George Mason’s Career Connection Faculty Award and the Teaching Excellence Award.

“My students appreciate the practical nature of my lectures and how I integrate field experience with theory,” he said.

Prospective students considering George Mason’s Schar School for their studies in international security will find an unmatched opportunity to learn from Cengiz and other top experts, including TraCCC’s founding director, University Professor Louise Shelley, as well as Master of International Security degree program director Ellen Laipson, Master of Biodefense and PhD in Biodefense director Gregory Koblentz, Distinguished Visiting Professor and former ambassador Richard Kauzlarich and others, including former directors of key agencies and current practitioners in important positions in Washington, D.C.

“We have great faculty with field experience and academic expertise,” Cengiz said, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the Schar School’s programs that often find diverse units combining expertise for research studies and panel discussions.

Cengiz’s work does more than analyze global security challenges—it actively seeks to combat them. His blend of field experience, academic expertise, and dedication to student success provides a pathway for those who want to make a tangible difference.

“You don’t just study these issues,” he said. “You gain the tools to confront and resolve them.”

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Schar School Adjunct Professor Lee Roberts is ‘Teacher of Distinction’

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 19:22:09 +0000

Schar School Adjunct Professor Lee Roberts is ‘Teacher of Distinction’ Andrew J Schappert Thu, 08/15/2024 - 15:22

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Schar School of Policy and Government adjunct professor Lee Roberts was recognized as a 2024 Teacher of Distinction by ��AV’s Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning. Roberts is a U.S. Army strategic intelligence officer in his 17th year of active-duty service.

Schar School adjunct professor Lee Roberts receives his Teacher of Distinction award from E. Shelley Reid, executive director of engaged teaching at George Mason’s Stearns Center. Photo by John Boal Photography.

The Stearns Center, which promotes and develops innovation in teaching among the university’s faculty, recognizes Teachers of Distinction as those who have been finalists for Teaching Excellence Awards and are known for their commitment to teaching and teaching-related activities.

As an active practitioner in the field, it’s important to Roberts that the subject of international security—I-SEC—is taught the right way.

“First and foremost, students in the [Schar School’s] I-SEC program are talented, driven, and conscientious future—and in some cases current—practitioners whom it is my privilege to work with,” he said. “I want to do everything I can to help them clear a path into this professional field whether as a government servant or in an adjacent field such as think-tank analysis or security journalism.”

Roberts, who has been teaching at the Schar School since 2018, is assigned to the Joint Staff from the Defense Intelligence Agency and works in the Pentagon, located not far from the Schar School’s Mason Square Campus. That proximity allowed him to earn a master’s degree in international security in 2017—he was also a fellow at the Center for Security Policy Studies—and a PhD in political science in 2022.

His academic pursuits, as well as his teaching, inform his profession.

“Essentially, I direct the design and delivery of joint studies into future military intelligence capabilities that establish the requirements used by armed services, defense agencies, and the defense industry to develop and build those capabilities,” he said. “I primarily focus five to 15 years in the future, and I really love my job—it makes excellent use of the educational experience I got at the Schar School.

“By keeping a foot in both worlds, I am able to help students realize their goals, and students’ fresh perspectives and the seminar content from the classes helps me to be a better practitioner.”

While receiving the Stearns Center’s Teacher of Distinction recognition is gratifying, it’s the success of his students that Roberts finds truly rewarding.

“I have on multiple occasions run into recent alumni in the halls of U.S. government agencies implementing America's intelligence, national security, and foreign policy priorities, and I cannot adequately describe the pride I feel in having played even a small part in their journey,” he said.

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Schar Study Abroad Immerses Students in U.S. Mexico Border Policy, Security, and Immigration

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 20:04:50 +0000

Schar Study Abroad Immerses Students in U.S. Mexico Border Policy, Security, and Immigration Andrew J Schappert Mon, 04/08/2024 - 16:04

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Members of the Schar School study abroad contingent gather in front of a mural at the National Autónomous University of México. Professor Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera is at center.

Following the coattails of President Biden’s highly publicized visit to Brownsville, Texas, a cadre of graduate students from ��AV’s Schar School of Policy and Government arrived for a week of academic activity along the U.S.-Mexico border and in Mexico City.

Unlike a parallel trip to the same region at the same time by the Schar School’s International Relations Policy Task Force (you can read their story at this page), “our trip was about the U.S.-Mexico relations during a time of elections,” said Professor Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a foremost expert on border and immigration policy who accompanied the students.

“Border developments are perhaps the most consequential policy issue of this time,” said Michal McElwain Malur, director of external programs at the Schar School, who assembled the itinerary and helped lead the trip to the border for a second year in a row.

“Since the inception of its study abroad program, the Schar School has prioritized providing students with opportunities to explore consequential policy problems facing the U.S. today.”

“We spent one whole day at the border, specifically at the border wall, and we spoke at length with a local editor about border security,” added Correa-Cabrera. “It was important to see this issue through the eyes of someone who covers it for newspapers for a population that relies on accurate information.”

Along the way they met with top industry and government leaders on both sides of the border, with whom they freely discussed the ongoing issues that keep the U.S.–Mexico affiliation at the top of international headlines.

“Putting a face to the border was fascinating,” said Davis Kaderli, a Master of Public Policy student and participant on the trip. “What I actually saw isn’t what the mass media often portrays. It is much more complex than the majority of Americans understand.”

For instance, while in Brownsville, Texas, the students heard harrowing stories of inadequate services provided to Americans in need along the border. In Boca Chica, during a visit to the sprawling SpaceX campus, students met with residents in government partnerships and discussed their views on how SpaceX impacts their community.

“The meetings we had gave insight and were candid discussions,” said Chris Williams, a student in the Schar School’s Master of Global Commerce program. Williams added that anybody immersing themselves in a degree with a global perspective should seek out study abroad opportunities.

A significant component of the trip was a visit to the political capital of Mexico City and the National Autónomous University of México (UNAM), where students engaged in conversations with decision makers and attended lectures.

“Mexico is having elections in June this year,” Correa-Cabrera said. “The U.S. is having them in November. We put these elections in context for the students.”

Upon arriving in Mexico City, the students received a briefing from Miguel Siliceo, the senior economic advisor to Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

On International Women’s Day, the cohort of students was officially welcomed by the president of the federal senate of the Republic of Mexico, who recognized them from the Senate floor, followed by a meeting with a Mexican senator. The students said they gained insights from Mexican officials and policymakers on mutually shared challenges, as well as new avenues for cooperation and engagement.

“We had ridiculous access on this study abroad, from [President López Obrado’s] senior economic advisor to a legislative briefing at the Mexican federal senate by the vice president of the Senate,” said Willaims.

Students met with a panel of diplomatic staff at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico and received an interactive briefing on the challenges in the upcoming presidential election.

“The five speakers at the embassy was my favorite session,” said Anduela Johnson, a student in the Schar School’s Master of International Security program. “It was interesting to hear how they are managing security issues and balancing economic implications.”

“They see the relationship with the U.S. and our shared border differently. The entire experience was a true joy,” said Johnson. On topics ranging from security and trade policy to the challenges of the upcoming election with two female candidates, each discussion sparked fascinating discussions and means for collaboration between the sets of students.

“My favorite part of this trip was hearing many perspectives,” said Gabe Dole, one of the undergraduates on the trip and a student in the Schar School’s Government and International Politics major. “I really valued the range of perspectives we heard.”

“The Schar School of Policy and Government offered two complimentary study abroad programs to the U.S. Mexico border this spring,” said Malur. “The fact they were both at the border is a testament to the Schar School being a policy school and offering our students the opportunity to hear and see firsthand policy debates and consequences of policies in action.“

Study abroad opportunities are important to a Schar School education, no matter the level or degree program. Trips include programs in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. To learn more about the school's study abroad programs, visit this site.

Not only did the Schar School students receive a shout out from the Senate floor, they were invited to a briefing in a committee room and to sit at Senate desks.

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Study Abroad Visit to U.S.-Mexico Border Immerses Students in Culture and Policy

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 17:32:03 +0000

Study Abroad Visit to U.S.-Mexico Border Immerses Students in Culture and Policy Andrew J Schappert Thu, 07/20/2023 - 13:32

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Schar School students, along with Professor Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera (far right), stand in front of one of the many murals at the National Autónomous University of México, the largest university in Latin America.

The tour of the U.S.-Mexico border included a visit to the Child Advocates San Antonio office.

They toured the SpaceX Starbase launch pad, visited with dignitaries from the Mexican government, joined U.S. diplomats at the embassy for briefings, experienced lectures at the National Autónomous University of México (UNAM), and heard from a variety of journalists and community leaders about the state of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Happily, it was not all academic business: They did get to stroll a scenic beach at Boca Chica. But the 15 Schar School of Policy and Government graduate and undergraduate students who made the week-long visit to the Texas border and Mexico City in late May didn’t mind the lack of down time during their study-abroad venture. The intention was to learn first-hand about the U.S.-Mexico border and the issues that keep that region of the world in global headlines.

“Mexico offers perhaps the richest international experience possible to students of public policy and government, regardless of their specific areas of interest and expertise,” said Michal McElwain Malur, director of external programs at the Schar School, who assembled the itinerary and helped lead the trip to the border. “Mexico allows students to explore some of the most consequential policy problems facing the U.S. today.” The Schar School will be offering another visit to the region during spring break 2024, she added.

“It was beneficial seeing the issues that are discussed in class play out in real life and watch the solutions on the ground,” said Kimberly Posada, a student in the Schar School’s Master of International Security program and a graduate of the school’s government and international politics undergraduate program. “It benefited me seeing the culture and being a part of it. I felt completely immersed by the experience and it’s a trip I will never forget—it’s been integral to academic experience.”

At the SpaceX Starbase.

Claire Luff, a research associate at the nonprofit Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade and a student in the international security master’s program, said she appreciated the opportunity to travel and earn three credits toward her degree while doing so.

“I was not able to study abroad in undergrad, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to go abroad during my graduate studies,” said Luff. “The Schar School made it so easy to take a class that will apply towards my degree.”

While Luff was taken with “the beauty and history of Mexico City,” also memorable, she said, were “connecting with the UNAM students and hearing a lecture from Dr. Laura Carlsen about the war on drugs” from a different perspective. Carlsen is the director of the nonprofit Americas Program, a think tank studying foreign policy in Central and Latin America.

It was at UNAM that the U.S. students found themselves in the role of protagonists in a moderated exchange of ideas in an academic exercise, said Schar School professor Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a foremost expert on border issues who accompanied the tour. “It was interesting to see the students confront difficult issues, but it was a great experience for them all,” she said.

“Experiencing a new culture and understanding attitudes of people from other nations is key to getting the full picture of America's place in the world, which as someone who is pursuing international security is very important,” Luff said. “I think study abroad helps to expand critical thinking skills.”

Like Luff, Posada was also taken by Mexico City’s vibrant beauty, in all of its dimensions.

“I felt immersed by the cultural experience,” she said. The visit “helped me understand and view the Mexican perspective on security issues and enhanced my understanding of the political, cultural, and economic situation that faces Mexico today. I absolutely enjoyed my time meeting the various professors and discussing security issues with UNAM students.

“I would highly recommend study abroad opportunities to other students because of how much you get to learn outside of a classroom setting,” Posada said.

Posing at the mural adorning the Central Library at the National Autónomous University of México.

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Schar School Students Spend a Day Solving a Crisis in the Baltics. (Don’t Worry, It Was a Simulation.)

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:48:10 +0000

Schar School Students Spend a Day Solving a Crisis in the Baltics. (Don’t Worry, It Was a Simulation.) Andrew J Schappert Wed, 10/26/2022 - 09:48

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Joel Hillison, director of national security policy and strategy at the Army War College, listens in as Team USA discusses proposed action during Game 2 of the simulation. Photos by Kim Talley

Dangerous turmoil brews in an Estonian separatist state, one supported by an aggressive Russian minority in the region. Surrounding nations are concerned about an outbreak of conflict, but what’s the best way to respond while ensuring individual rights, defending democracy, dealing with a refugee crisis, and protecting the energy grid?

That was the fictional situation facing about 45 participants in an October Baltics 2028 Simulation hosted by the Schar School’s Center for Security Policy Studies and facilitated by members of the U.S. Army War College. The daylong event challenged participants to apply their knowledge of foreign policy and strategy in an effort to thwart—or at least predict—possible outcomes of a realistic crisis.

It may have looked like an elaborate board game, but the perceived danger was realistic and the correct decisions were vital, said participants.

“It was very insightful and I learned a lot about collaborative decision-making and strategy during a geopolitical crisis,” said Master of International Security student Sebastian Evans. “I highly recommend Schar School students to attend simulations in the future. An excellent event and I am very glad I attended.”

The Baltics 2028 Simulation map.

Jerad Harper, an instructor and director of regional studies at the Army War College, discusses implications of a participant’s state’s move in Game 1 of the simulation.

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Schar School Student’s Essay Wins First Vespa/Mason Contest

Andrew J Schappert — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 16:10:19 +0000

Schar School Student’s Essay Wins First Vespa/Mason Contest Andrew J Schappert Fri, 10/21/2022 - 12:10

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Schar School student Sara Michels and her midnight blue 2009 Vespa LX50. Photo by King W. Gillespie Photography

Many students gripe about having to write an essay as part of a class. But in Sara Michels case, her 500-word composition about how a motorized scooter would help her studies and change her life won her a 2009 Vespa LX50 valued at $1,625.

Michels is in her final year of the Master’s of International Security program at the Schar School, which means the adorable midnight blue scooter, which tops out at 30 miles an hour, will come in handy for tooling around Mason Square.

“I wrote about how I was planning on moving to Arlington soon, and having a Vespa to transport myself to and from school would really give me an affordable way to get myself and my books to and from campus,” she said.

Michels’ prized wheels—she’s yet to name “her,” she said, but Blueberry and Midnight are in the mix—are the first to be won in a collaboration among ��AV’s Mason Square complex, nearby Vespa dealership LaMoto of Washington, and the Vespa Committee of Washington, D.C., a nonprofit for Vespa enthusiasts.

“The idea for the Vespa club’s scooter gifting grew out of a conversation with staff at LaMoto of Washington,” said Vespa Committee spokesman Dave Mangano. “During the pandemic, individuals were calling asking about selling or for trade-in values for small, used 50cc Vespa.”

With a surfeit of scooters at hand, the idea to start a donation program arose and Mason “seemed like a natural partner, given their urban campus location in Arlington,” he said.

The Vespa Committee is a self-described “diverse group of scooterists who celebrate Italian/American culture.” (Vespa is made by Italy’s Piaggio.) As part of her prize, Michels has been trained by club members on how to properly care for and safely ride her scooter.

Michels said she can’t wait to “go on evening rides with the other Vespa owners in the area.”

Mangano said another Vespa earmarked for a Mason essayist is due for delivery in November. For information about the program, see this page.

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Schar School Adjunct Professor Lee Roberts is ‘Teacher of Distinction’

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Schar Study Abroad Immerses Students in U.S. Mexico Border Policy, Security, and Immigration

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Study Abroad Visit to U.S.-Mexico Border Immerses Students in Culture and Policy

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Schar School Students Spend a Day Solving a Crisis in the Baltics. (Don’t Worry, It Was a Simulation.)

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Schar School Student’s Essay Wins First Vespa/Mason Contest

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