Max Makovsky

About

Member of the Pepperdine University Master of Middle East Policy Studies (MMEPS) inaugural cohort.

Aspiring foreign policy professional with demonstrated interest in geopolitics, national security, and energy policy, regionally focused on the Middle East and Transatlantic. Passionate about aerospace innovation, maritime security, and nuclear energy. Seasonal member of the Beaver Creek Aerial Transport Team.

Experience

  1. September 2026 to present

    Ara Partners

    Government Relations Intern, Washington, DC

    • September to November 2026

      Palantir Technologies

      American Tech Fellow, Catalyst, Remote

      • Selected for the American Tech Fellowship, Palantir's twelve week virtual program run with Ontologize, training fellows on Foundry and AIP and closing with a capstone that builds an end to end operational workflow.
    • January to June 2026

      Velocity Government Relations

      Fellow, Washington, DC

      • Attended events and Congressional hearings and wrote concise briefings for clients.
      • Produced written reports on policy, industry updates and relevant technological advancements.
      • Responsible for a section of the weekly newsletter covering developments among adversaries.
    • September to December 2025

      The American Enterprise Institute

      Critical Threats, Iran Intern, Washington, DC

      • Conducted research on Iranian domestic and international politics.
      • Monitored Iranian and international media to inform the Critical Threats Project.
      • Received OSINT training and attended intensive educational sessions with fellow AEI interns.
    • March to August 2025

      NATO Communications and Information Agency

      Operations Support Intern, Mons, BelgiumNATO Secret clearance

      • Contributed to the planning and execution of NATO exercises, reporting directly to the acting branch head (OF-4) of Operations and Exercises at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.
      • Supported OPEX with project management, administrative tasks and internal communications.
      • Attended multinational interoperability CIS exercises, planning conferences and training sessions.
      • Conducted a formal review of OPEX standard operating procedure and assisted with development and deployment of the OPEX event management tool through a transitional period of internal realignment.
    • August to December 2024

      Senator John W. Hickenlooper

      Intern, Denver, CO

      • Answered constituent calls and discussed policy positions.
      • Staffed events around the state.
      • Conducted and presented research to inform policy issues.
    • August to December 2024

      The Hudson Institute

      Editorial Intern, Washington, DC

      • Contributed to the Hudson Institute editorial and public affairs teams.
      • Edited policy reports, conducted research and performed administrative tasks.
      • Tracked media reports involving institutional fellows.
    • February to April 2024

      U.S. Department of State

      Student Internship Program, Washington, DCInterim Secret clearance

      • Contributed to the Political and Political-Military team at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Pakistan Desk.
      • Communicated between SCA/P, other State bureaus and additional government agencies.
      • Managed office calendars, conducted research, drafted write-ups and attended high-level meetings.
      • Engaged in formal and informal diplomatic discussions and built relationships with foreign diplomats.
    • May to August 2023

      Global Livingston Institute

      Research Assistant Intern, Entusi, Uganda

      • Researched on site in Uganda for one month and completed the internship remotely.
      • Conducted field research on offsetting carbon emissions through community-based development programs including reforestation and water filtration.
      • Interviewed local community and government leaders to gauge resident sentiment and inform ongoing and future projects.

    Education

    • August 2025 to April 2027

      Pepperdine University School of Public Policy

      Master of Arts, Middle East Policy Studies, Washington, DC

    • August 2020 to May 2024

      Muhlenberg College

      Bachelor of Arts, International Studies, Allentown, PA · Sigma Iota Rho Honors

    Languages: Hebrew (B2), French (A2)

    Also

    • Hertog Foundation Security Studies and Humanities Fellowship, Washington, DC, 2024
    • Smithsonian Institution Leadership for Change Internship, Boulder, CO, 2023
    • Grungras Consultancy International Law Research Internship, Tel Aviv, 2022