I created the International Security Lab (ISL) in 2019. The ISL has three main objectives: (1) to foster research collaboration with graduate students; (2) to build research skills; and (3) to provide a forum to share ideas and seek feedback. 

The lab focuses on the following research topics:

• Diplomacy and deterrence.
• Military technology, ranging from drones to nuclear weapons.
• Alliances.
• Leadership and foreign policy decision making.

Select papers produced in the lab:

• Lee, Kyungsuk, James D. Kim, Hwalmin Jin, and Matthew Fuhrmann. 2023. "Nuclear Weapons and Low-Level Military Conflict," International Studies Quarterly 66 (5).
• Alley, Joshua and Matthew Fuhrmann. 2021. "Budget Breaker? The Financial Cost of U.S. Military Alliances," Security Studies, 30 (5): 661-690.
• "Socialization, Self-Selection, and the Life Experiences of World Leaders: Why Business Experience Influences Defense Spending," with James D. Kim. Revise and resubmit, Journal of Politics.​
• "Risky Business? Leaders, Business Experience, and Economic Sanctions," with Bryan R. Early and Lauren Bondarenko.