Ms. Ainsley Burkes joined the NWC as a research intern in Spring 2025. She is a freshman at American University, pursuing a degree in Political Science with a minor in Korean language.
Ainsley is a three-time alumnus of the National Security Language Initiative, a U.S. Department of State Educational and Cultural Affairs program, which gave her the opportunity to spend a year in Seoul, South Korea. During this time, she immersed herself in Korean culture and language, achieving a Professional Working Proficiency rating through the ACTFL assessment.
Her research interests include North and South Korean relations, national defense, nuclear nonproliferation, and grand strategy. She has previously conducted research on Chinese involvement in South Sudan following the removal of President Al-Bashir, as well as on the U.S.-R.O.K. Alliance, exploring joint practices in global defense, policy, and economics.
Outside of academics, Ainsley enjoys participating in language exchange programs, exploring the sights of Washington, D.C., reading, and photography.