Samantha Olson is a research assistant for the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Her research focuses on counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, and how militaries adapt to cope with irregular and asymmetric threats. Her work has been published in Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Small Wars & Insurgencies, and the Canadian Military Journal.
Outside of CNAS, Olson serves as a research fellow for the Counter Extremism Project, where she focuses primarily on accelerationism, neofascism, and digital extremist networks.
She holds an MA in security studies from Georgetown University and a BA in honors history from the University of Victoria.
Recent Publications & News
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Commentary
National Security Human Capital
The Melting Fortress: The United States, Canada, and the Race Against Time in the ArcticBy Andrew Spafford & Samantha Olson
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Commentary
National Security Human Capital
How DOD missed its opportunity to counter extremism in the ranksBy Samantha Olson
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