Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab

“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.” - Abraham Lincoln

Welcome

The Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab (LDNS Lab) advances character-driven leadership, diplomacy, and national security education and training in support of the full range of university enterprises. Led by diplomatic and national security professionals, The Lab dedicates itself to learner-centered solutions and thought leadership through a global network of partners employing state of the art learning tools.

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LDNS Lab Newsletter

Thank you for tuning in to our first quarterly newsletter — designed to provide updates on LDNS Lab events, projects, research and opportunities for students and partners. With these newsletters, we aim to showcase more of what we do, and who we are. Whether you're an ASU student or alumni, staff, or community member, we look forward to connecting with you!

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Fall 2023 LDNS Lab Fellowship Application

LDNS Lab Logo

The LDNS Lab is currently seeking two highly motivated undergraduate/graduate students to participate in its innovative  Research Fellows Program for the Fall 2023 semester. Students accepted into the program will work directly with faculty mentors on current research projects involving leadership, diplomacy and national security and will qualify for a $2,500 scholarship.

Requirements:
• Preference for first-generation college students
• Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. 
• All ASU undergraduate majors/years are eligible
• Time Commitment: 5-7 hours/week
• Location: Virtual, weekly Zoom meetings

Deadline: Aug 1, 2023

More Information + Application Form:

Congratulations to our 2023 MA-IAL Graduates!

Congratulations to the 2023 MA-IAL Graduates!

The ASU LDNS Lab team congratulates the following students on graduating from the M.A. International Affairs and Leadership program!

Brandon Axelrod, Muriel Batta, Austin Bennett, Shamiah Bullock, Kimberly Curry, Ismail Dashti, Sean Gallagher, Suzanna Gardner, Jacob Gleason, Emma Hager, Breck Heltzel, Nicolas Khonaysser, Thomas Koch, Logan Montel, Mallory Montour, Emily Muller, Stephen Salter, Tara Toone, Brian Valencia Arvizu, and Quinn Vlacich

We wish these students the best of luck as they continue their leadership journey in the field of international affairs. 

Lab Topics

By Ambassador David Scheffer

Just Security

Crimes against humanity involve a specific set of grave human rights violations committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population (more on that below). If the United States is serious about fighting impunity for the repeated patterns of atrocities committed in Ukraine and many other situations around the world, it should close the crimes against humanity loophole in U.S. law as soon as possible.

Topic(s):
World, Human Rights, Values, Values, Leadership , Leadership, Global

By Debbie Cenziper, Will Fitzgibbon, Eva Herscowitz, Hannah Feuer and Michael Korsh

ProPublica, ICIJ

In Montenegro, Ljubomir Filipovic, a political scientist and former deputy mayor of Budva, said Djukic helped spread chaos and dysfunction in a country that has struggled to establish an identity since it became a sovereign nation in 2006.

“He went beyond what an ordinary honorary consul would do. He went even beyond what an official diplomat would do,” said Filipovic, who tracked Djukic’s activities as consul. “The intention was to damage the social fabric of Montenegro — and he did that.”

Topic(s):
World, Democracy, Values, Leadership, Global, Politics, Ethics

BBC

LDNS Lab Distinguished Fellow Amb. Kurt Volker speaks on US aid in Ukraine in this video for BBC World.

Topic(s):
World, Global, Human Rights

By Steve Kelman

FCW

How a short video speaks volumes about current U.S. approaches to diplomacy in China...

Topic(s):
World, Leadership, Values, Leadership , Asia, Values, Opinion, Global

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