Wrapping up winter term, twelve War & Peace Fellows traded the classroom for Washington, D.C. Their trip offered a behind-the-scenes look at the machinery of American foreign policy, spanning the halls of the Pentagon to the galleries of the Canadian Embassy.
High-Stakes Diplomacy and Defense
The Fellows met with senior officials at the State Department, Treasury, and the Pentagon, and learned about how they’re tackling the complexities of international security and emerging global threats. These briefings provided more than just a view of the “how”—they gave Fellows a seat at the table to discuss the “why” behind current policy developments.
The Power of the Alumni Network
A cornerstone of the trip was the integration of the War & Peace alumni network, illustrating the tangible career paths forged by the program: After a meeting on the Hill with the Friends Committee on National Legislation, the fellows met with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand ’88 and alumna Samantha Bevins ’23 to discuss the legislative process from the inside, and at the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide, alumna Babette Kania ’25 led a session on translating academic research into life-saving real-world impact.
Evening gatherings with members of the Dartmouth community allowed for candid career insights, bridging the gap between current students and established professionals in the field.
A Multilateral Perspective
The cohort explored the broader ecosystem of D.C. influence, from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)—where they examined health policy, critical minerals, and energy technologies—to the Organization of American States (OAS). A big picture approach ensured a 360-degree view of how domestic policy, regional diplomacy, international cooperation, and national security converge.
