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Christopher Michael Faulkner

PhD Candidate in Security Studies and Minerva-USIP Peace and Security Scholar, University of Central Florida
I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Security Studies Program in the Department of Political Science at the University of Central Florida and a 2018-2019 Minerva-Jennings Randolph Peace and Security Scholar at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). I successfully defended my dissertation in May 2019 and will join the faculty at Centre College beginning August 2019 as a Visiting Assistant Professor in International Studies.

My dissertation research examines the determinants and dynamics of rebel groups' recruitment of child soldiers as well as the consequences for states that employ children in their national military or paramilitary units. In my research I utilize a mixed-methods approach including case-studies, semi-structured interviews, and statistical modeling.

In addition to my research on child soldiering and civilian victimization in conflict, my interests include private military/security companies and civil war, terrorism and counterterrorism effectiveness, and civil-military relations/democratization. To date, my research has been published or is forthcoming in outlets such as African Security, Africa Spectrum, Civil Wars, Democratization, Small Wars & Insurgencies, and Third World Quarterly.

I hold a BA (2008) in Political Science, a MPA with a concentration on public management (2010), a MA and Graduate Certificate in International Conflict Management and Resolution with a focus on International Security (2013) from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and a Graduate Certificate in Intelligence and National Security (2018) from the University of Central Florida.

Wagner Group setback in Mali challenges Moscow’s strategy in Africa and the region’s faith in Russian mercenaries

Aug 09, 2024 19:21 pm UTC| Business

While Russias army is bogged down in Ukraine, its mercenaries are faring no better in Africa. In late July 2024, mercenaries from the the Wagner Group, a Moscow-aligned private military company, accompanied the Malian...

Economy

UK Economy Posts Surprise June Growth as World Cup and Hot Weather Lift Activity

Britains economy recorded stronger-than-expected growth in June 2026, supported by easing concerns over the Iran war, the mens soccer World Cup and hot weather, according to official figures released Thursday. UK gross...

US Dollar Holds Firm as Fed Outlook and Iran Tensions Keep Markets on Edge

The U.S. dollar remained steady on Thursday as investors assessed the Federal Reserves interest rate outlook following U.S. inflation data that matched expectations. Meanwhile, elevated oil prices and renewed U.S.-Iran...

European Stocks Rise as U.S. Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears

European stocks moved higher on Thursday as investors welcomed an in-line U.S. inflation report that reduced expectations for another Federal Reserve interest rate hike in September. The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 Index...

Japan Government Backs Earlier BOJ Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Build

Japans government is reportedly supportive of an earlier interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BOJ), with policymakers potentially moving as soon as September or October as inflationary pressures intensify. Bloomberg...

Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm After U.S. Inflation Data

Most Asian currencies traded in a narrow range on Thursday as investors assessed the Federal Reserves interest rate outlook following U.S. inflation data that largely matched market expectations. The U.S. Dollar Index was...

Politics

Iran Eyes New Development Bank Membership as BRICS Pushes Local Currency Trade

Iran is expected to join the New Development Bank (NDB), the multilateral lender established by BRICS nations, as Tehran seeks stronger financial ties with emerging economies and alternative channels outside the U.S....

Nigel Farage Faces Count Binface in Clacton Election Test

Voters in Clacton headed to the polls on Thursday in an unusual local English election that pits Reform UK leader Nigel Farage against more than 30 challengers, including comedian Count Binface. The election comes after...

Putin Visits Japan-Claimed Iturup Island, Drawing Strong Protest From Tokyo

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, a disputed island claimed by Japan, on Thursday, prompting a strong protest from Tokyo as tensions remain elevated across Northeast Asia. Iturup, known as Etorofu in Japan,...

Meloni Loses Ground Among Young Italian Voters Ahead of 2027 Election

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is losing support among young voters, potentially creating a major challenge for her right-wing coalition ahead of Italys 2027 national election. Polling by Youtrend shows Melonis...

US, Colombia Weigh Joint Strikes on Armed Groups in Expanded Anti-Drug Campaign

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has raised the possibility of joint U.S.-Colombia military strikes against armed groups as Washington expands its counter-narcotics campaign across Latin America. Speaking Wednesday at...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion Could Delay Launch Operations Until 2028

Blue Origin is facing a significant setback after a dramatic explosion involving its New Glenn rocket severely damaged a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, repairs to the...

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

Technology

Google Pushes Gemini AI Overhaul as Sergey Brin Targets Model Supremacy

Google co-founder Sergey Brin has stepped up efforts to accelerate development of the companys Gemini AI models as Alphabet battles OpenAI and Anthropic for leadership in artificial intelligence. Brin has reportedly urged...

Lenovo Revenue Surges 43% as AI Demand Drives Record First-Quarter Growth

Lenovo Group reported record first-quarter revenue as booming demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure and AI-enabled devices fueled strong growth across its major businesses, pushing its Hong Kong-listed shares...

Cisco Forecasts Strong Fiscal 2027 Growth as AI Networking Demand Surges

Cisco Systems has issued a stronger-than-expected fiscal 2027 outlook, fueled by rising demand for networking equipment and artificial intelligence infrastructure from hyperscale customers. The networking technology giant...

Super Micro Stock Jumps 19% as AI Server Demand Drives Strong 2027 Outlook

Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ: SMCI) shares surged about 19% on Wednesday after the AI server maker issued fiscal 2027 guidance that significantly exceeded Wall Street expectations, easing concerns following its softer...

SpaceX Shares Surge as Wall Street Backs AI Growth Potential

SpaceX shares jumped 11% after Morgan Stanley highlighted the companys growing artificial intelligence business, fueling investor optimism around its expanding enterprise software strategy and upcoming Grok 4.7 AI model....