Linkedin X-twitter
An Alternative Assessment of President Trump’s Strategy in Venezuela
Read More
Transnational Crime Project (OPI-TCP)
Explore Here
Data Privacy & Governance Hub Project
Explore Here
Mauro Lubrano: A Deep Dive into Anti-technology Extremism
Listen Now
An Unwinnable Claim, A Strategic Opportunity: Japan, Dokdo, and the China Challenge
Read More

Promoting Evidence-based Policy and Good Governance

thumbs b c 2a917d9fe60cf766f1a2f84738eec45d

Defense & Security, Americas, Transnational Crime Project

Apr 28 , 2026

Policy Brief

An Alternative Assessment of President Trump’s Strategy in Venezuela

Editor’s Note: This policy brief is Part V of an Orion Policy Institute (OPI) Transnational Crime Project (OPI-TCP) series. While unprecedented and unexpected, it increasingly appears that the United States’ capture of Nicolas Maduro in January 2026 was more than an isolated regional event. Instead, it was a broader strategic

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2733545871 scaled

Cyber Security & Info Technologies, Terrorism & Extremism

Apr 27 , 2026

Podcast

Mauro Lubrano: A Deep Dive into Anti-technology Extremism

This episode of Orion Talks, hosted by Marta Furlan, features Dr. Mauro Lubrano examining the rise of anti-technology extremism. He begins by distinguishing it from anti-technology activism, emphasizing that conflating the two risks discrediting legitimate concerns and may even contribute to further radicalization. The discussion situates recent attacks on tech

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

japan s korea

Defense & Security, Indo – Pacific, South Asia

Apr 23 , 2026

Op-Ed

An Unwinnable Claim, A Strategic Opportunity: Japan, Dokdo, and the China Challenge

Japan and South Korea share a difficult history that complicates their bilateral relationship. This is a problem since an effective Japan-Korea alliance would be a bulwark against China’s regional ambitions and allow the U.S. to redirect resources to other parts of the world. The long-discussed U.S. pivot to Asia, announced

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2735113483 scaled

Defense & Security, Indo – Pacific, Middle East, South Asia

Apr 13 , 2026

Op-Ed

Iran War from the Perspectives of China and Russia

Operation Epic Fury is the 2026 U.S.-led military campaign against Iran. The operation marks one of the most significant escalations in Middle Eastern conflict in the post–Cold War era and stretches beyond the issues between Iran versus the U.S.-Israel sides. As of 2026, the most powerful countries are the United

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 1324150637 scaled

Transnational Crime, Americas, Transnational Crime Project

Apr 9 , 2026

Policy Brief

Examining the Crime-Terror Convergence in Venezuela

Editor’s Note: This policy brief is Part IV of an Orion Policy Institute (OPI) Transnational Crime Project (OPI-TCP) series and culminating report examining Venezuela’s transnational criminal networks, their regional security implications, and the evolving U.S. policy response. Introduction Venezuela, ranked seventh globally for the highest homicide rate, is characterized by

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

china iran war

Defense & Security, Indo – Pacific, Middle East, South Asia

Apr 6 , 2026

Policy Brief

China and the War In Iran, High Risk for Marginal Opportunities

China has worked to build a diplomatic position in the Middle East, cultivating an image as a non-interventionist power that can be everyone’s friend and no one’s enemy. However, when the drums of war began to sound over the Strait of Hormuz, China found itself exposed to a conflict it

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2461841135 scaled

Defense & Security, Americas

Apr 4 , 2026

Podcast

Kerry Chavez: Drones, Non-State Actors, and the Changing Nature of Warfare

In this episode of Orion Talks, hosted by Suat Cubukcu, we are joined by Dr. Kerry Chávez to explore how drones are reshaping modern warfare and homeland security. As commercial drone technology becomes more accessible, the barriers to air power are rapidly eroding, enabling non-state actors and even lone individuals

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 1753604456 scaled

Defense & Security, Terrorism & Extremism

Apr 1 , 2026

Op-Ed

What Works in Counterterrorism and What Doesn’t?

Terrorism and counterterrorism have been significant concerns after terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, in the United States. The concerns have valid reasons. Currently, the U.S. State Department lists approximately 70 Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) as of early 2026 [1]. In addition to domestic violent extremist groups, the FTOs pose

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

Latest Research

shutterstock 2288254685 scaled

Defense & Security, Americas

Feb 12 , 2026

Policy Brief

A Moment of Strategic Choice: U.S. Policy in a Post-Maduro Hemisphere

,

The capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026 marks a strategic inflection point for the United States and the first real stress test of the 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS) in the Western Hemisphere. More than the apprehension of a leader, Maduro’s removal forces Washington to reconcile competing strategic

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

venezuelan soldiers

Crime & Justice, Transnational Crime, Americas

Feb 4 , 2026

Policy Brief

Venezuela’s Hybrid Criminal Networks and U.S. Regional Strategy

Editor’s Note: This policy brief is Part I of an Orion Policy Institute (OPI) Transnational Crime Project (OPI-TCP) series and culminating report examining Venezuela’s transnational criminal networks, their regional security implications, and the evolving U.S. policy response. For years, U.S. policy toward Venezuela has fluctuated between sanctions, diplomacy, and public

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2637992583 scaled

Democracy & Human Rights, Africa

Jan 27 , 2026

Research

Women and the Path for Peace in Africa: DR Congo

,

This research article draws on in-depth interviews with Dr. Susanne Alldén, who is a senior lecturer in Peace and Development Studies at Linnaeus University in Sweden and has extensive field experience in conflict-affected regions, particularly in central and western Africa. She has also led and managed stabilization, peacebuilding, and gender

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2572533271 scaled

Cyber Security & Info Technologies

Jan 17 , 2026

Policy Brief

Post-Quantum Cryptography: An Urgent Need for AI Infrastructure

,

Post-quantum cryptography is typically framed as a problem in quantum computing. It is something to address once fault-tolerant machines arrive. So, this framing is still incomplete. Every scaled AI system today depends on encrypted data pipelines, protected model weights, and secure inference infrastructure. The cryptographic standards protecting that infrastructure are

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

shutterstock 2464035511 scaled

Defense & Security, Africa

Jan 13 , 2026

Policy Brief

Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland: Strategic Logic and Regional Implications

Rather than an isolated diplomatic gesture, Israel’s decision to formally recognise the Republic of Somaliland constitutes a deliberate strategic intervention in the Horn of Africa. By extending recognition to a de facto sovereign entity that is not officially recognised, Israel has challenged long-standing international norms governing statehood, territorial integrity, and

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

china us flags copy

Defense & Security, Indo – Pacific, South Asia

Jan 7 , 2026

Policy Brief

Why China May Be Emboldened by America’s 2025 National Security Strategy

China is rapidly increasing its economic and military strength and asserting itself more aggressively on the world stage. Until President Xi Jinping assumed power in 2012, China was careful to downplay its ambition and growing international power. Now, the country is a near-peer competitor of the United States military in

READ MORE : {{post_title}}

About Orion Policy

Research

Our comprehensive research spans critical sectors, offering detailed insights and actionable recommendations. Explore how we address pressing national and global issues to drive effective governance and informed decision-making.
gap1

Experts

Our team consists of a diverse group of professionals who bring a wealth of expertise in global security, governance, and development. With a deep commitment to policy solutions, our experts work to address the complex challenges of our time, ensuring that our insights drive impactful change.
expert

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote good governance, advance human rights, and improve policy through high-quality research. We seek to generate practical and sustainable solutions based on multi-disciplinary, diverse, and in-depth scientific research and analysis.
WhatsApp Gorsel 2024 08 26 saat 19.39.45 1770d575

Subscribe to the Orion Policy Brief

Get a daily newsletter with our best research on top issues.

Support Our Work

Invest in promoting policy and good governance
Donate