About Us

Mission

The Jamestown Foundation’s mission is to inform policymakers and the broader community about events and trends in societies that are critical to the United States and its partners. Jamestown provides objective analysis and context, drawing upon indigenous and primary sources.

Programs

The Jamestown Foundation’s main publications are China Brief, Eurasia Daily Monitor and Terrorism Monitor. Click on the map below to explore them.

About Us

 

Origins

Founded in 1984 by William Geimer, The Jamestown Foundation made a direct contribution to the downfall of Communism through its dissemination of information about the closed totalitarian societies of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.

William Geimer worked with Arkady Shevchenko, the highest-ranking Soviet official ever to defect when he left his position as undersecretary general of the United Nations. Shevchenko’s memoir “Breaking With Moscow” revealed the details of Soviet superpower diplomacy, arms control strategy and tactics in the Third World, at the height of the Cold War. Through its work with Shevchenko, Jamestown rapidly became the leading source of information about the inner workings of the captive nations of the former Communist Bloc. In addition to Shevchenko, Jamestown assisted the former top Romanian intelligence officer Ion Pacepa in writing his memoirs. Jamestown ensured that both men published their insights and experience in what became bestselling books. Even today, several decades later, some credit Pacepa’s revelations about Ceausescu’s regime in his bestselling book Red Horizons with the fall of that government and the freeing of Romania.

The Jamestown Foundation has emerged as a leading provider of information about Eurasia. Our research and analysis on conflict and instability in Eurasia enabled Jamestown to become one of the most reliable sources of information on the post-Soviet space, the Caucasus and Central Asia as well as China. Furthermore, since 9/11, Jamestown has utilized its network of indigenous experts in more than 50 different countries to conduct research and analysis on terrorism and the growth of al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda offshoots throughout the globe.

By drawing on our ever-growing global network of experts, Jamestown has become a vital source of unfiltered, open-source information about major conflict zones around the world—from the Black Sea to Siberia, from the Persian Gulf to Latin America and the Pacific. Our core of intellectual talent includes former high-ranking government officials and military officers, political scientists, journalists, scholars and economists. Their insight contributes significantly to policymakers engaged in addressing today’s newly emerging global threats in the post 9/11 world.

 

Nikolai Getman: The Gulag Collection

In 1946, an artist named Nikolai Getman was imprisoned in the Soviet Union’s GULAG, a system of forced labor camps across Siberia and the interior of the USSR. Upon his release in 1954, Getman commenced a public career as a politically correct painter. Secretly, however, for more than four decades, Getman labored at creating a visual record of the GULAG, which vividly depicts all aspects of the horrendous life (and death) so many innocent millions experienced during that infamous era. Getman’s collection is unique because it is the only visual record known to exist of this tragic phenomenon. In early 1997, The Jamestown Foundation learned of The Gulag Collection and that Getman was desperate to get the painting transported to the West; he feared that upon his death they would be destroyed. With the financial support of Jim Kimsey, The Jamestown Foundation brought the paintings to the United States, where in 1997 they were put on display in the U.S. Congress. The Collection remained with Jamestown until 2009, when it was permanently transferred to the Heritage Foundation, where it resides today (heritage.org).

 

Donor Privacy & Confidentiality Policy

Effective Date: January 2023

At The Jamestown Foundation, we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of our donors’ personal information. This Donor Privacy and Confidentiality Policy outlines our commitment to protecting donor data and privacy and describes how we collect, use, store, and share donor information. By interacting with our organization and providing your personal information, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

  1. Information Collection: We collect personal information from donors when they engage in activities such as making donations, signing up for our publications, newsletters, or participating in events. The information we collect may include:
    • Name, address, email address, and phone number
    • Donation history and contribution details
    • Payment information (credit card details, bank account numbers, etc.)
    • Communication preferences
  1. Use of Information: We use the collected donor information for the following purposes:
    • Processing donations and providing donation acknowledgements
    • Communicating with donors about our activities, events, and campaigns
    • Sending newsletters and other relevant updates
    • Conducting donor surveys and feedback requests
    • Internal record-keeping and analysis
  1. Data Security: We take reasonable measures to protect donor data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. We use industry-standard security practices to safeguard the information we collect, including encryption, secure networks, and access controls. However, please note that no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data.
  2. Third-Party Disclosure: We do not sell, trade, or rent donor information to third parties. However, we may share certain data with trusted service providers who assist us in carrying out our activities, such as payment processors or email service providers. These service providers are contractually obligated to maintain the confidentiality and security of the data and can only use it for the purposes specified by us.
  3. Donor Rights: Donors have the right to:
    • Access their personal information held by us
    • Request corrections or updates to their information
    • Opt-out of receiving future communications
    • Request the deletion of their personal information, subject to legal obligations

To exercise these rights or for any questions regarding this policy, donors can contact us using the provided contact information.

8. Data Retention: We retain donor data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law. When donor information is no longer needed, we securely dispose of or anonymize it to prevent unauthorized access.

9. Policy Updates: We may update this Donor Privacy and Confidentiality Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We encourage donors to review this policy periodically for any updates. The revised policy will be effective immediately upon posting on our website.

 

Scott LaFoy

Scott LaFoy is a Master’s Candidate at Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program and analyst. His main focus is asymmetric military capabilities, particularly ballistic missiles, nuclear... MORE

Michael Laha

Michael Laha is a consultant at Sinolytics, a European research-based consultancy focused on China. Previously, he was an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation German Chancellor Fellow... MORE

Christina Lai

Christina Lai is a junior research fellow in the Institute of Political Science at Academia Sinica, Taiwan. She is also an adjunct lecturer in Global... MORE

I-chung Lai

I-Chung Lai, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Mackay Medicine College of Nursing and Management.

Eric Y.H. Lai

Eric Y.H. Lai, PhD is a Research Fellow at the Center for Asian Law of Georgetown University Law Center, Washington D.C. He received PhD in... MORE

Yi-Ren Lai

Yi-Ren Lai is an active Captain and Counterintelligence Officer in the Ministry of National Defense, Taiwan. He received his MA in China military affairs studies... MORE

Kanchan Lakshman

Kanchan Lakshman is a Research Fellow for the Institute for Conflict Management, New Delhi.

Willy Wo-Lap Lam

Dr. Willy Wo-Lap Lam is a Senior Fellow at The Jamestown Foundation, and a regular contributor to China Brief. He is an Adjunct Professor at... MORE

Jozef Lang

Józef Lang is a Central Asia analyst at the Center for Eastern Studies (OSW, Polish: rodek Studiów Wschodnich) in Warsaw, Poland. Graduated from Warsaw University... MORE

Jennifer Lang

Jennifer Lang is a freelance consultant with a background in counterterrorism, defense and security analysis. She recently spent a year covering the jihadist threat to... MORE

Paulina Lang

Paulina Lang is an expert on Ukrainian affairs at Jagielloński Klub Centre for Analyses (https://cakj.pl/), an independent think tank based in Poland.

Yuri Lapaiev

Yuri Lapaiev is currently the editor-in-chief of Tyzhden (The Ukrainian Week) magazine. He graduated from the Ivan Kozhedub Air Force University in Kharkiv, with an... MORE

Mathias Lund Larsen

Mathias Lund Larsen is senior research consultant at the International Institute of Green Finance at the Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing and dual... MORE

Christian Nils Larson

Christian Nils Larson is a Partner at The AML/CFT Group. He holds an MA in Central Eurasian Studies from Indiana University and a certificate in... MORE

Marlene Laruelle

Marlene Laruelle is Research Professor of International Affairs and Associate Director of the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at the Elliott School... MORE

Lorand Laskai

Lorand Laskai is a Research Associate at the Council on Foreign Relations. Follow him on Twitter @lorandlaskai.

Michael Lauber

Michael Lauber is CEO of the Liechtenstein Bankers' Association. From 2001 to 2004, he served as the Director of Liechenstein's Financial Intelligence Unit.

Roderick Lee

Roderick Lee is the Director of Research at the Air University’s China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI), where he oversees research on Chinese military aerospace forces... MORE

Jeongseok Lee

Jeongseok Lee is a Ph.D. candidate in Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and a student affiliate in the Princeton-Harvard China and the World... MORE

Seong-hyon Lee

Sunny Seong-hyon Lee, PhD, is the Pantech Fellow in Korean Studies at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Reseach Center, Stanford University. He is also a... MORE

Itamar Lee

Itamar Y. Lee is a Visiting Fellow of the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), New Delhi, India. He is the author of “Dragon’s... MORE

John Lee

John Lee is a visiting fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) and Managing Director of Sydney-based research company L21. Dr. Lee is the... MORE

Namju Lee

Dr. Namju Lee is a visiting scholar at Harvard University’s Fairbank Center for East Asian Research and an associate professor in the department of Chinese... MORE

Jordan Lee

Jordan Lee is a research assistant at The Brookings Institution.

Melissa Lefkowitz

Melissa Lefkowitz is a program officer at the U.S.-Asia Law Institute at the NYU School of Law. Her current work focuses on public interest law... MORE

Vladimir Legenko

Vladimir Legenko is a Ukrainian masters degree student currently studying private international law at the Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of... MORE

Arkadiusz Legieć

Arkadiusz Legieć is a freelance researcher. His area of analysis is the post-Soviet region, terrorism (particularly the phenomenon of foreign fighters) and contemporary politics in... MORE

James Leibold

James Leibold is an Associate Professor and Head of Department at La Trobe University in Melbourne Australia, and an expert on ethnic policy and ethnic... MORE

Leeshai Lemish

Leeshai Lemish has been writing about Falun Gong since 2001, and is currently conducting research with Ethan Gutmann for an upcoming book on the subject.

Edward Lemon

Edward Lemon is the DMGS-Kennan Institute Fellow, Daniel Morgan Graduate School in Washington DC. His research examines security, Islam, migration and politics in Tajikistan and... MORE

Greg Levesque

Greg Levesque is the CEO and co-founder of Strider, a technology company delivering tools that help enterprises enhance their long-term competitiveness, including the ability to... MORE

Matthew Levitt

Matthew Levitt, a former FBI counterterrorism analyst, is a senior fellow and Director of Terrorism Studies at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Philip I. Levy

Dr. Philip I. Levy is a Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. From 2003 to 2005, he was Senior Economist for Trade for the... MORE

Joanna I. Lewis

Dr. Joanna Lewis is the Senior International Fellow at the Pew Center on Global Climate Change and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University's Walsh School... MORE

Mingjiang Li

Li Mingjiang, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Nan Li

Dr. Nan Li is a visiting senior fellow at the East Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore. He is the editor of Chinese... MORE

Cheng Li

Cheng Li is a senior fellow and director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution.

Jianmin Li

Li Jianmin is a professor at the Institute of Population and Development in the School of Economics at Nankai University

Gary Li

Gary Li is an Associate Consultant at APCO Worldwide. He previously worked as an East Asia security analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies... MORE

Shaomin Li

Shaomin Li is a Professor of International Business at Old Dominion University Strome College of Business.

Brynjar Lia

Dr. Brynjar Lia is a research professor at the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI) and the author of a forthcoming biography on Abu Mus'ab al-Suri... MORE

Diana Liang

Diana Liang is a research assistant at the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution. She has worked previously at Albright Stonebridge and the... MORE

Yen-fan Liao

Liao (Kitsch) Yen-Fan is a Taipei-based analyst for the Cyber Security firm Team T5, specializing in cyber security, air power and the Taiwanese military. He... MORE

Holmes Liao

Holmes Liao has over 30 years of professional experience in U.S. aerospace industries. He previously served as an adjunct distinguished lecturer at Taiwan's War College.

Ivan Lidarev

Ivan Lidarev is a Ph.D. student at King’s College London (KCL) and an advisor to Bulgaria’s National Assembly. Ivan’s research, published in The Diplomat and... MORE

David Liebenberg

David Liebenberg is a China analyst at CNA’s Center for Naval Analyses. He is one of the co-authors of Behind the Periscope: Leadership in China’s... MORE

Matthew A. Light

Dr. Matthew A. Light is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He conducted field research on the... MORE

Robyn Lim

Robyn Lim is Professor of International Relations at Nanzan University, Nagoya, Japan, and the author of "The Geopolitics of East Asia".

Joseph Y. Lin

Joseph Y. Lin currently studies at the Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies of Tamkang University in Taipei, Taiwan. He has held executive... MORE

David Lin

David Lin is the Senior Director for Future Technology Platforms at the Special Competitive Studies Project. David joined SCSP after more than a decade serving... MORE

Reginald Y. Lin

Reginald Y. Lin is an associate fellow from Foundation of Asia-Pacific Peace Studies (FAPS) in Taiwan, who focuses on CCP personnel promotion.

Leo Lin

Leo Lin is a doctoral student at the University of Southern Mississippi. His work focuses on Indo-Pacific security and Chinese grand strategy.

Ying Yu Lin

Dr. Ying Yu Lin is an Assistant Professor at Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies Tamkang University in New Taipei City, Taiwan and... MORE

Christina Lin

Christina Y. Lin, Ph.D. is research consultant for IHS Jane’s and former director for China affairs in policy planning at the U.S. Department of Defense.... MORE

Cheng-yi Lin

Cheng-yi Lin, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Center for Asia-Pacific Area Studies (CAPAS), and Research Fellow at the Institute of European and American... MORE

Chong-pin Lin

Dr. Chong-Pin Lin is the President of the Foundation on International and Cross-Strait Studies and a professor in the Graduate Institute of International Affairs and... MORE

Joseph E. Lin

Mr. Joseph E. Lin is the former Associate Editor of China Brief at The Jamestown Foundation. He is the co-founder of the Johns Hopkins University... MORE

Lin Fei-fan (林飛帆)

Fei-fan Lin (林飛帆) is a board member of New Frontier Foundation, an official think tank of Taiwan’s governing Democratic Progressive Party. He was also the... MORE

Toby Lincoln

Toby Lincoln is a researcher in corporate social responsibility and reputations management. He received a Masters in Chinese Studies from the School of Oriental and... MORE

Yawei Liu

Yawei Liu is director of the China Program and has been a member of numerous Carter Center missions to monitor Chinese village, township, and county... MORE

Zining Liu

Liu Zining is a graduate student specializing in North American studies at the China Foreign Studies University, and Dr. Wenran Jiang’s research assistant.

Xingzhu Liu

Dr. Xingzhu Liu (M.D., Ph.D., MPH) is a principal scientist with Abt Associates Inc. and has more than 20 years of experience in health economics... MORE

Fu-kuo Liu

Fu-Kuo Liu, Ph.D., is a Research Fellow, Institute of International Relations, National Chengchi University. He was 2006-2007 visiting fellow at the Center for Northeast Asian... MORE

David Livingston

David Livingston is a research fellow in the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Energy and Climate Program, where he provides support for a portfolio of... MORE

Scott Livingston

Scott Livingston is an attorney specializing in Chinese data privacy and technology law. He previously served as an analyst and China Team Lead within the... MORE

David C. Logan

David C. Logan is a graduate student at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. His writing has been published... MORE

Christine Loh

Christine Loh is the CEO of Civic Exchange, an independent non-profit think tank, which has worked with numerous surveying experts to track public opinion throughout... MORE

I-cheng Loh

I-cheng Loh served as director of the Chinese Information Service in New York from 1963 to 1979. After ambassadorial stints in Guatemala and South Africa,... MORE

Darius Longarino

Darius Longarino is a Research Scholar in Law at Yale Law School and a Senior Fellow of the Paul Tsai China Center. Prior to joining... MORE

Tom Lord

Tom Lord is a researcher focused on political violence and “street militancy.” He is also a co-founder of militantwire.com. He can be found on Twitter... MORE

Ben Lowsen

Ben Lowsen is China Strategist for the U.S. Air Force's Checkmate office. He is a retired U.S. Army officer who has served previously as Assistant... MORE

Lu Li-Shih

Lu Li-Shih is a former instructor at the Taiwanese Naval Academy and a former captain of the Ching Chiang-class patrol corvette. He received master degrees... MORE

Matthew Luce

Matthew Luce is a Mandarin linguist-analyst at SAIC. He has worked and traveled extensively in China, and his research focuses on Chinese technology development and... MORE

Aron Lund

Aron Lund is a Swedish journalist and editorialist specialized in Middle Eastern and North African affairs, with an MA in Arabic and Oriental Studies from... MORE

Ahmad Lutfi

Ahmad Lutfi is a political and terrorism analyst, and a Middle East specialist based in Ottawa, Canada. His background and life in China, Europe, the... MORE

Pavel Luzin

Dr. Pavel Luzin is a visiting scholar at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. He is also a regular contributor at The... MORE

Daniel C. Lynch

Daniel C. Lynch is Assistant Professor of International Relations at the University of Southern California. He is the author of Taiwan's Self-Conscious Nation-Building Project and... MORE

Matthew Lyons

Mr. Lyons has spent several years as a counterterrorism analyst advising the American government.