Join IAW
How to participate in International Affairs Watch
IAW is an independent geopolitical analysis platform built by a network of volunteer analysts. This page explains the three concrete ways to get involved: join as a regional analyst, submit a piece of research for publication, or support the project as a company or institution.
How IAW works
The entire team is volunteer-based. IAW is in the process of NGO registration; until that closes, we cannot offer financial compensation, and we make that explicit from the first conversation.
Our editorial standard is non-negotiable: methodological rigor, verifiable sources, analytical and non-partisan tone. If you meet that bar, we offer something scarce: a platform with real reach where you sign your own work.
- Access to the internal monitoring console and CSI databases.
- Editorial mentoring and training in OSINT and conflict severity methodologies.
- Publication under your byline, DOI when applicable, and public attribution in the analyst network.
Path 1
Join as a volunteer analyst
We're looking for analysts who can sustainably cover a region or a thematic axis. No degree required, but rigor, availability and willingness to learn the IAW method are.
Open regions and axes
These are the areas where editorial demand is highest right now. If your expertise is a different region (say Central Asia or the South Pacific), write to us anyway—we evaluate case by case.
- Sub-Saharan Africa (Sahel, Horn of Africa, Great Lakes)
- Middle East and North Africa (Levant, Gulf, Maghreb)
- Eurasia (Russia, Caucasus, Central Asia)
- Asia-Pacific (ASEAN, Indo-Pacific, Korean Peninsula)
- Latin America (Andes, Southern Cone, Caribbean, Central America)
- Cross-cutting axes (terrorism, organized crime, energy, cybersecurity)
Who we're looking for
Advanced students, graduates or self-taught analysts with a solid background in International Relations, Political Science, Journalism, History or Data Science. Fluent reading in English. Actual availability of 4–6 hours per week.
What we ask in concrete terms
- At least one published editorial piece per month (brief, analysis or follow-up note).
- Attendance at the bi-weekly regional team meetings.
- Compliance with the source-checking and verification checklist before each publication.
How to apply
Send us an email with: (1) your region or axis of interest, (2) a sample of your own analytical writing, (3) short CV or LinkedIn, (4) estimated weekly availability.
Apply by email →Path 2
Submit your research for publication
If you already have a finished or advanced piece of research and want to publish it on IAW without joining the staff, you can send it to us. We review it editorially and, if it meets our criteria, we edit and publish it under your byline.
What we evaluate
- Geopolitical relevance and timeliness of the topic.
- Methodological rigor: primary sources, Chicago author-date citation, traceable claims.
- Analytical, non-partisan tone, no sensationalism.
- Originality: we do not accept texts already published elsewhere without prior agreement.
- Length: between 1,500 and 6,000 words depending on format (short analysis, paper, expert commentary).
How the process works
- You send a 200–400 word abstract + outline + 2–3 key sources.
- The editorial committee responds within 15 days with one of three answers: proceed, adjust framing, or not a fit with our editorial line.
- If we proceed, you're assigned an editor and a date. Editing covers source verification, style and methodological consistency.
- Publication under your byline, with author bio, copyright retained by the author and CC BY-NC 4.0 license for IAW.
What we don't do
We do not publish promotional content, partisan positions or AI-written pieces without disclosure. Nor do we guarantee publication: the editorial decision is final and based on the criteria above.
Send my proposal →Path 3
Companies, sponsors and donations
IAW is in the process of NGO registration. Once complete, we will open formal channels for donations and sponsorship. In the meantime, we already hold exploratory conversations with organizations interested in supporting the project.
Forms of institutional support
Editorial sponsors
Funding of thematic reports (for example a policy paper on energy in the Sahel) with explicit attribution and no interference in the content. Editorial firewall guaranteed.
Institutional donations
One-time or recurring contributions earmarked for infrastructure, analyst grants or development of the Conflict Severity Index. Once the NGO is registered, we issue formal receipts.
Partnerships with think tanks and universities
Co-publication of papers, CSI data exchange, joint workshops and student access to the monitoring console.
Pro bono services
Law firms, design agencies, hosting providers or analytics tools that want to contribute their services. We list them publicly as partners.
Transparency
We publish every funding source above USD 500 annually. No sponsor has editorial veto power. No contribution alters our analytical line.
Talk to the institutional team →Want to see the team before reaching out?
You can review who already collaborates, their areas of expertise and how authorship is credited.
See the IAW analyst network →Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in the region I want to cover?
No. A good portion of the team covers regions from abroad. What we require is sustained reading of local sources (ideally in their original language) and an academic or journalistic contact network for validation.
Can I participate as an undergraduate?
Yes, if you can show prior analytical writing. Many academic internships at IAW are recognized as professional practice credits.
How long does a response to my editorial proposal take?
Up to 15 business days for the initial abstract. If we proceed, the full editing and publication cycle usually takes 4 to 8 weeks depending on format.
Do you accept anonymous or pseudonymous contributions?
Only in cases justified by personal risk to the author (e.g. journalists in restrictive contexts). Requires prior approval by the editorial committee.
What about the rights to my work?
You retain copyright. IAW publishes under Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0. You may republish your piece elsewhere after 30 days, with attribution.
If your case doesn't fit any of these three paths, write to us directly →