Hello.

I'm Jason. I research cyber forces, NATO, transatlantic security, and emerging strategic challenges for the U.S.

I am a Post-Doctoral Fellow with the Foreign Policy Institute of Johns Hopkins SAIS. I am a former USIP-Minerva Peace & Security Scholar with the U.S. Institute of Peace. Prior to my PhD, I was a licensed Fraud Operations Analyst at E*TRADE, where I identified and resolved cases of financial fraud based on technical data and client behavioral patterns.​

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Research expertise: cyber conflict; NATO and transatlantic security; military innovation and implementation; U.S. security and foreign policy; Estonian and Baltic security.​

Research

My research focuses on research focuses on the development of cyber forces across NATO member countries, the transatlantic gap in military innovation, and emerging strategic challenges for NATO and its members.

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Areas of expertise: cyber conflict; NATO and transatlantic security; military innovation and implementation; U.S. security and foreign policy; Estonian and Baltic security.

Current Projects

The Diffusion of Cyber Forces:

Military Innovation and the Dynamic Implementation of Cyber Force Structure

Book Project

Estonia's Road to Cyber Command

Working Paper

Assessing Cyber Forces, 2000-2018:

A Typology for Force Structure

Working Paper

An Introduction to The Dataset on Cyber Force Structures (DCFS)

Working Paper

Experience

2020 - Present

POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW

Johns Hopkins University

School of Advanced International Studies

Washington, D.C.

2019 - 2020

USIP-MINERVA

PEACE & SECURITY SCHOLAR

United States  Institute of Peace

Washington, D.C.

2018

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Qualitative Data Repository

Syracuse, NY

2015 - 2019

GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

2013 - 2015

FRAUD OPERATIONS ANALYST/

FINANCIAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE

E*TRADE Financial Corporation

Alpharetta, GA

Research focuses on the development of cyber forces across NATO member countries, the transatlantic gap in military innovation, and emerging strategic challenges for NATO and its members.

Predoctoral Fellow jointly funded by the U.S. Department of Defense Minerva Initiative and the U.S. Institute of Peace. Produced policy-relevant research related to international security and peacebuilding.

Managed, cataloged, and curated primary research data provided by clients. Redacted PII according to industry standards for human subjects research. Supported new initiatives for client outreach and acquisition.

Contributed to curriculum development, instruction, and performance assessment. Managed discussions and debates for classes ranging from 25 to 300 students. Enabled the achievement of learning outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds.

Identified and resolved financial fraud cases based on technical compromise data and
customer behavioral patterns. Mitigated risk and losses by providing remediation measures for high-value exposures. Gained practical experience with cybersecurity principles and developed financial regulatory expertise.

As an FSR, I provided financial expertise and support for existing and prospective bank and
brokerage clients as a Series 7 and Series 63 licensed broker. Assisted in the training and transitioning of new hires to the FSR role. Refined critical listening and problem-solving skills through proactive client engagement.

Education

Ph.D.     /   Syracuse University

Political Science

Concentrations: International Relations, Public Admin. & Policy

2020

M.A.     /   Virginia Tech

Political Science

Concentration: International Relations

2013

B.A.     /   The College of William & Mary

Government

2011

Contact

Foreign Policy Institute

Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW

Rome Building, Suite 734

Washington, DC 20036

jablessi [at] syr [dot] edu     /      @JasonABlessing     /     Phone upon request

Skillset