Dr. Oriana Mastro is an Assistant Professor at SSP and her research focuses on Chinese military and security policy, Asia-Pacific security issues, war termination, and coercive diplomacy.
What are you working on right now?
A book about China’s challenge to US primacy in the Indo-Pacific.
What is your favorite thing about SSP?
The people in their passion for security studies! Everyone is really collegial and it’s a great place to hang out and debate issues.
If you could tell your grad school self one thing, what would it be?
Don’t worry, it’ll all work out.
If you could teach any course at all, what would that be?
A course I already teach on the Chinese military. It’s my favorite.
What is your favorite thing to do in DC?
I’m one of those people that loves everything about DC. I love going out for dinner and drinks and meeting new people and talking about what they do. I also like other things that aren’t possible only in DC like going to the theater, CrossFit, walking my dog, eating and drinking around town with my husband and son.
What would your advice be to SSP students be hoping to start a career in your field?
Pursue what you’re passionate about and make sure you’re the best at it.