précis The MIT Center for International Studies annual magazine features essays by our scholars, covers the wide range of Center activities, and tracks the accomplishments of our research community.
September 2025 précisDirector's Message America has changed dramatically since this time last year. Nonetheless, CIS will continue to focus on the extraordinary developments on the global stage and bring keen insights to the world's most pressing issues. précisprécis Spotlight: Mihaela Papa Mihaela Papa, the Center's director of research and a principal research scientist at MIT, describes her role at CIS, her areas of expertise, and the Center's ongoing ambition to address the world’s most pressing challenges in new and creative ways. précisprécis Interview: Dafna Rand A career diplomat, global policymaker, and scholar, Dafna Rand held senior roles in the U.S. State Department prior to joining CIS as its Robert E. Wilhelm Fellow. She describes her path to MIT, her current research, and the importance of bridging the policy world with academia. précisGlobal Seed Funds Catalyze Research in 20+ Countries Launched in 2008, GSF has expanded exponentially and spent $30 million on high-impact research. Available to MIT faculty and principal investigators, the next GSF cycle opens mid-September. précisSSP Launches Center for Nuclear Security Policy Under the leadership of Vipin Narang, the $45 million gift from the Stanton Foundation expands the Security Studies Program's work on global nuclear security. précisA Brave New Post-FCPA World? A significant shift is underway as President Trump seeks to reconfigure the international business playing field by pausing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. John Githongo, the 2024-2025 Robert E. Wilhelm Fellow and leading expert on anti-corruption, weighs in. précisIs Intelligence on Nuclear Breakout Trustworthy? No matter what the intelligence says about a potential nuclear breakout, the global nonproliferation architecture is harmed by preventive attacks. précisMIT Without Borders MIT undergraduates gain global experience and new insights through MISTI, while helping to find solutions for some of the world’s biggest challenges. précisBriefings This section covers topics from climate policy and China’s military readiness to the future of the Amazon. It also highlights new global collaborations, graduate student research abroad, a Ukraine-focused hackathon, individuals from our research community, and MIT's enduring relationship with Japan. précisBooks In Print It was a banner year for book releases on a range of global topics. Recently published books are featured here. précisActivities The CIS community engages with MIT and the world through a diverse set of programming. Learn about our recent activities and opportunities to participate. précisEnd Notes End Notes celebrates the professional accomplishments, media appearances, and publications from the CIS community.
précisDirector's Message America has changed dramatically since this time last year. Nonetheless, CIS will continue to focus on the extraordinary developments on the global stage and bring keen insights to the world's most pressing issues.
précisprécis Spotlight: Mihaela Papa Mihaela Papa, the Center's director of research and a principal research scientist at MIT, describes her role at CIS, her areas of expertise, and the Center's ongoing ambition to address the world’s most pressing challenges in new and creative ways.
précisprécis Interview: Dafna Rand A career diplomat, global policymaker, and scholar, Dafna Rand held senior roles in the U.S. State Department prior to joining CIS as its Robert E. Wilhelm Fellow. She describes her path to MIT, her current research, and the importance of bridging the policy world with academia.
précisGlobal Seed Funds Catalyze Research in 20+ Countries Launched in 2008, GSF has expanded exponentially and spent $30 million on high-impact research. Available to MIT faculty and principal investigators, the next GSF cycle opens mid-September.
précisSSP Launches Center for Nuclear Security Policy Under the leadership of Vipin Narang, the $45 million gift from the Stanton Foundation expands the Security Studies Program's work on global nuclear security.
précisA Brave New Post-FCPA World? A significant shift is underway as President Trump seeks to reconfigure the international business playing field by pausing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. John Githongo, the 2024-2025 Robert E. Wilhelm Fellow and leading expert on anti-corruption, weighs in.
précisIs Intelligence on Nuclear Breakout Trustworthy? No matter what the intelligence says about a potential nuclear breakout, the global nonproliferation architecture is harmed by preventive attacks.
précisMIT Without Borders MIT undergraduates gain global experience and new insights through MISTI, while helping to find solutions for some of the world’s biggest challenges.
précisBriefings This section covers topics from climate policy and China’s military readiness to the future of the Amazon. It also highlights new global collaborations, graduate student research abroad, a Ukraine-focused hackathon, individuals from our research community, and MIT's enduring relationship with Japan.
précisBooks In Print It was a banner year for book releases on a range of global topics. Recently published books are featured here.
précisActivities The CIS community engages with MIT and the world through a diverse set of programming. Learn about our recent activities and opportunities to participate.
précisEnd Notes End Notes celebrates the professional accomplishments, media appearances, and publications from the CIS community.
