Dr. Shane McNeil is a national security scholar and practitioner specializing in strategy, counterintelligence, and the philosophical foundations of American statecraft. He completed his Doctor of Statecraft and National Security at the Institute of World Politics in February 2026, where his research focused on strategic competition, counterintelligence as a warfighting function, and the defense of the “Idea of America” in an era of great-power rivalry.

At SRPI, Dr. McNeil leads strategic research initiatives, mentors graduate and undergraduate researchers, hosts the Common Ground podcast, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Sentinel Journal. His work emphasizes whole-of-society approaches to counterintelligence, strategic competition with China, and the preservation of American legitimacy and moral leadership in global affairs.

Dr. McNeil previously served in senior counterintelligence and policy roles within the defense and intelligence community, including as Counterintelligence Policy Advisor on the Joint Staff. During his government service, he contributed to the development of national counterintelligence strategy, authored foundational policy guidance, and helped integrate counterintelligence into joint operational planning. His career also included operational assignments overseas and leadership positions in counterintelligence instruction, policy reform, and strategic planning.

Dr. McNeil is also an active lecturer and public speaker on counterintelligence, data privacy, national security strategy, and applied statecraft. He has delivered guest lectures at universities and professional forums, translating complex strategic concepts into practical insights for academic, private sector, and policy audiences.

He holds a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from the University of North Dakota and a Graduate Certificate in Executive Public Policy from Liberty University. His academic and professional publications appear in outlets including the American Intelligence Journal, the Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, and other national security forums.

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Lamia Zia, an academic and researcher, has over a decade of extensive experience in international and digital communication. Currently, she is an affiliate member of the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM) and a lecturer in the Communication Department at the University of Maryland.

Lamia’s research also includes the role of emerging technologies in national security, public diplomacy, digital communication, social media, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
Lamia has also served as a senior fellow at Texas Tech University’s Institute of Peace and Conflict, where she examined how iconic visuals influence peace and conflict narratives in South Asia. A strong advocate for women’s roles in governance, she co-authored a study linking women’s parliamentary representation in Pakistan to major legislative reforms.

A global traveler, Lamia’s experiences in London, Scotland, Japan, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Canada, Germany, Pakistan, Dubai, and the USA have profoundly influenced her professional journey and worldview. She is committed to bridging the gap between academic theories and practical applications in national security and communication. She is particularly focused on the evolving role of digital media in global politics and national security, leveraging her extensive background in digital communication to enrich her academic contributions.

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Carla Renner is an M.A. candidate at The Institute of World Politics, pursuing a degree in Strategic Intelligence Studies. With over eight years of experience in international healthcare and global network management under her belt, she brings extensive research experience and strategic analysis to national security topics. Carla specializes in trans-Atlantic affairs, counterintelligence threats, and Asia-Pacific relations.

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Ms. Mathews is a Project Manager on the International Research, Data, and Technology Security Team at CRDF Global and a Master’s candidate in Statecraft and National Security Affairs at the Institute of World Politics. She leads international capacity-building programs to counter threats posed by the misuse of emerging technologies and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. With a background in emergency response, she brings a strategic approach to security challenges, combining research, policy, and operational planning to safeguard U.S. national security interests.

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