Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs
The Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs (NSFA) is a research center that provides critical insights into national and international security challenges and foreign policy solutions through policy-relevant research, education, and engagement with a global perspective.
Overview
NSFA faculty, fellows, and affiliates conduct research and publish policy briefs, reports, articles, and books that inform security and foreign affairs policy on topics of expertise:
- Indo-Pacific security, U.S. alliances, & U.S.-Japan relations
- Military innovation & defense industrial base
- Nuclear deterrence, security & nonproliferation
- Economic security & energy security in U.S. national security
NSFA also leads dialogues to build a deeper understanding of these critical issues by regularly engaging the university community, scholars, the media, and the general public on national security and foreign affairs issues through talks given by prominent officials and scholars, roundtables, and workshops. Several events are co-sponsored by the UT Japan Center, focusing on U.S.-Japan relations, acknowledging the military and diplomatic legacy of our school namesake, U.S. Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr., a World War II Navy veteran and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan.
The Baker School of Public Policy prepares students for careers in public service through a combination of coursework and real-world experiential learning. Baker students interested in national security and foreign affairs have opportunities for professional development. These include networking opportunities with visiting scholars, government officials, and others with national security and foreign affairs experience. Students are also afforded immersive travel experiences such as the Japan Ambassadors study abroad program and the Washington Fellows National Security trip to D.C. Finally, students get hands on training with drafting policy-relevant work for stakeholders. This includes the the Baker Scholars senior thesis on national security or foreign affairs, internships, research experience, and for graduate students, capstone projects to support actual government, non-profit, or business clients. the opportunity to network with visiting scholars and other experts.
Japan Ambassadors
The Japan Ambassadors program is a two-week international immersive experience and course about Indo-Pacific security in Japan. Students follow in the footsteps of former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Howard H. Baker Jr., to learn about Japanese culture, politics, economics, and history, U.S.-Japan relations, and Indo-Pacific security.
Research
NSFA faculty, fellows, and affiliates conduct research on a range of topics: territorial and maritime disputes, piracy and maritime security, international and civil wars, conflict resolution, human rights, trade and economic security, and nuclear deterrence. Geographically, NSFA specializes in Indo-Pacific security, the U.S.-China rivalry, and U.S. alliances in the region, with a particular focus on U.S.-Japan relations, Australia, South Korea, and the Philippines. NSFA’s research has been supported by National Science Foundation, Minerva, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Department of State, Korea Foundation, Stanton Foundation, among others.
News
Events
Interested in watching or reading more about past events? View the link below.
