The New School University

Alumnus, International Affairs

Thesis Title: Desecuritizing Identity in Protracted Social Conflict: The Case of Cyprus

About

Matthew Schwartz is a Programs Associate at the Center on Global Counterterrorism Cooperation in New York. He received a Master of Arts in International Affairs from The New School University's Graduate Program in International Affairs. There, he specialized in conflict and security analysis, particularly in the field of counter-terrorism.

While pursuing his graduate studies, Matt served as a Political Affairs Intern with the United Nations Security Council's 1267 Al-Qaida/Taliban Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team. There he conducted independent research and analysis regarding the level of threat posed by, and key personalities and groups affiliated with, Al-Qaida and the Taliban. A number of items addressed in his research were included in reports submitted to the Security Council.

Before resigning to pursue his graduate studies, Matthew spent two years as a congressional staffer under Congressman John J. Hall of the US House of Representatives. There he represented Hon. Hall in the 19th Congressional District of New York, conducted constituent casework, served as liaison to US Air Force, Army, Naval and Merchant Marine Academies, and coordinated Hon. Hall's academy nominations process.

Matt completed his undergraduate studies at the University at Albany where he double majored in International Politics and Global History. While at Albany, he was selected to partake in the Honors Program in Middle East Studies at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.  There he also worked as a research intern in the Middle East Unit at the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace.

His main research interests include:
- terrorism and counter-terrorism
- radicalization and counter-radicalization
- conflict resolution and negotiation
- identity politics and social-psychological theory
- media and propaganda
- insurgency and violent political conflict
- securitization theory
- critical and post-colonial theory
- peacebuilding and development
- Middle East and Islamic studies
- critical security studies
- international relations and foreign policy

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