role: Interns

Christopher Dietrich is a master’s student at the Institute of Science Tokyo and a current member of the National Defense Industrial Association. His research interests include the development of technology suitable for training and battlefield conditions as well as the application of modeling, simulation, and wargaming to near-future conflicts. His personal interests include history and geopolitics related to the Asia-Pacific region, American Japanese equipment interoperability, supply chains, and Japanese Home Island Defense.

Ms Hirniak is a young Analyst in International Relations, a graduate student at the International University of Japan, and alumna of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv with a degree in Sociology.

As a native of Ukraine, she has experience in qualitative and quantitative research, international conflict analysis, and humanitarian diplomacy. She collaborates with several initiatives and organizations, including Helping to Leave, Truth Media, and Scruples Research.

Ms Hirniak currently works at the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan (Tokyo), in the Cultural Department and the Economic Section.

Mark is a current Masters Student at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), studying for a MSc Strategic Studies degree. His research interests consist of Japanese and Philippine defense/foreign policies.

Prior to his Masters, Mark has conducted freelance work researching on Islamist extremism in the Philippines in 2021. From 2020 to 2021, he interned at the Counterterrorism Analyst Intern as a PACOM (Pacific Command) specialist, where he conducted research on Japanese defense, foreign and social issues for security briefings and reports. He also collaborated on working on writing reports in other parts of the Indo-Pacific, including South and Southeast Asia.

Jonas Matenia is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Coding & Software Engineering at XU Exponential University in Potsdam, Germany. During his studies, he also completed a semester abroad in Kofu, Japan, where he deepened his understanding of both Japanese culture and the technological landscape.
With a strong interest in Artificial Intelligence, Jonas plans to focus his Bachelor’s thesis on automation on the battlefield, particularly the use of FPV drones. This interest is rooted in his 1.5 years of service in the Bundeswehr as a rifleman (OR-3) in the mechanized infantry, where he gained practical experience and developed a keen interrest in understanding military operations.
Additionally, Jonas interned at the Bundeswehr Centre of Military History and Social Sciences, where he contributed to the S6 department of military staff. This experience further solidified his interest in the intersection of technology and defense.

Having gained insights into both Europe and Japan, Jonas is particularly interested in fostering connections between these parties.
After completing his Bachelor’s degree, Jonas plans to return to military service before pursuing a Master’s degree in AI and autonomous systems.