Middle East Program Internship (Summer 2026)

About

Quincy Institute is a public policy think tank based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to advancing ideas that move U.S. foreign policy away from endless war and toward vigorous diplomacy in the pursuit of international peace. The institute envisions a world where peace is the norm and war the exception and operates independently of any political party.

The Quincy Institute (QI) Internship Program offers undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates from diverse backgrounds to engage in career exploration and development.

The mission of QI’s internship is designed to provide hands-on experience aligned with interns' academic interests and career goals. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in internal meetings, external engagements, and QI events online or in-person.

This position may be performed remotely or from the Quincy Institute’s Washington, D.C. office.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on U.S. foreign policy and military strategy in the Middle East and South Asia, with a focus on regions including Israel/Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Iran, the Gulf states, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. This research will contribute to products that range from original policy research to rapid analysis to op-ed writing.
• Contribute to a range of outputs, including policy research, rapid-response analysis, and op-eds
• Provide research and analytical support to other Quincy Institute staff
• Monitor daily and weekly news cycles to track developments relevant to ongoing research
• Support congressional outreach, communications efforts, and tracking political developments
• Demonstrate a keen interest in the foreign policy work of the Quincy Institute and an interest in working in a dynamic and ambitious environment
  
  
  

Requirements

• Demonstrated interest in the Greater Middle East and related geopolitical issues
• Familiarity with U.S. foreign policy and ongoing policy debates in the United States
• Understanding of realism as a theory of international relations, military restraint, and restraint literature
• Fluency (not just proficiency) in Turkish, Arabic, Persian, Pashto, or Urdu will receive heightened consideration
• Background in economics or statistics is a plus
• Must be currently enrolled or have recently graduated from an undergraduate or graduate program in political science, international relations, economics, or a related field in the social sciences or humanities, or be a recent graduate in aforementioned areas or a related field
• Strong writing and research skills, including basic familiarity with AP and Chicago citation styles
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite applications
• Experience with data analysis and visualization to include create graphics, maps, and other charts is a plus
  
  
  

Pay and Hours

The pay for this position is $17.95 per hour with an average of 19 hours per week.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and applicable writing sample. Application deadline is May 1st but may remain open if needed.

Duration

The position is expected to start by end of May, and can continue for up to 12 months based on performance.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.