Liam Sigler (’24): Intelligence Analyst

In this interview with IWP, Liam Sigler (’24) describes his experience in IWP’s online M.A. in Statecraft and Strategy, including his participation in in-person wargames and the IWP-Oxford Study Abroad Program. He also shares how IWP Career Services helped him land his first job in the national security field, and how he is now serving the United States as an Intelligence Analyst with BAE.

Please tell us a little about yourself and your background. How did you become interested in international affairs?

Since I was a kid, I’ve always been interested in history—model soldiers, documentaries, pop-up encyclopedias, you name it. I like figuring out how complicated things work, especially when they affect everyday people, and that applies to nothing better than international affairs and geopolitics.

My undergraduate degree at Christendom College really deepened my appreciation for how the many lived experiences of the world’s cultures affect the United States as the leading superpower. From college onwards, I’ve been fascinated by the human element within the political machine.

What attracted you to IWP?

IWP was recommended to me by a few professors during my collegiate years, who said that it was a special place to come to understand how geopolitics, especially in Washington, actually works.

This is in large part due to the varied practical experiences of the many former government staff who comprise the faculty of IWP. The curriculum places a great emphasis on politics as informed by history and subjects critical theories to rigorous scrutiny.

I wanted to refine my own political ideas by learning from the best in Washington who have actually made real achievements.

What was it like at IWP? How did you find the online program?

From your first class at IWP, you come to an immediate understanding that this is a place that expects its students to have a solid grasp on a variety of subjects, ranging from philosophy to history, before they make any sweeping ideological proclamations. IWP is concerned with uncovering the truth and teleology of politics rather than lobbying for a rigid worldview.

The online program was probably one of the best of its kind because the professors got the maximum possible value from the environment. There was an insistence on giving well-fleshed-out arguments in the weekly discussion questions, and some highly motivated professors would spur the conversation further by participating in the dialogue themselves. Faculty were keen to make sure that every student was included and not just another cell on a zoom screen display. Emphasis was placed on sparking genuine debate among the participants instead of merely recapping the message of the reading.

What have been the most interesting things you have learned at IWP?

IWP has taught me many invaluable insights into Washington and the geopolitical landscape, but two things in particular come to mind.

The first is how much the Executive branch has evolved from presidency to presidency, particularly in regard to policymaking. Some presidents, such as Eisenhower, have placed an emphasis on deliberative exercises and strategy meetings with staff. Others, like Nixon, desired to have as little red tape and delegation as possible. Nixon used unconventional channels such as the CIA to communicate with foreign heads of state and bestowed much of the power in his cabinet to a single person, Secretary of State/National Security Advisor Dr. Kissinger, rather than diffused amongst the many policy making committees. In a way, the presidency is what the president himself makes it to be.

Another crucial truth I have learned from IWP is how uncertain the world of intelligence really is. Faulty data, technological failures, and personal biases can all erode the process that is, ultimately, well-reasoned guesswork. Nevertheless, intelligence still represents the nervous system of the government, and it can be improved if steps are taken to shorten the kill chain of synthesizing and producing analysis, grounding analysts in an awareness of their own failings and circular reasoning, and investing in research and development so that the government is never too far behind the private sector.

You participated in some in-person activities at IWP, even though you were in the online program. Please tell us what this was like.

The Rising Tides simulation was an amazing opportunity to take part in a real-life policy exercise set in a hypothetical Chinese invasion of Taiwan, where strategic thinking and collaboration collided with foreign agendas and the pressures of time.

Representing Japan, our team had to navigate sufficiently deterring Chinese aggression, if not against Taiwan, at least to the point where it threatened our own sovereignty. Likewise, it was our objective to engage with the United States and strengthen the Indo-Pacific alliances that oppose China without getting dragged into a major war.

The Japanese team achieved almost all of its goals by determining what objectives of other countries aligned with our own, offering compromises where we could, and by striking a measured tone in all press releases and official statements that calmed the situation as much as possible.

My studies in Oxford were some of my favorite during my time at IWP. I was deeply impressed by the academic rigor, professors were incredibly active in developing the research and analytical skills of their students, and the libraries were always full of hyper-attentive students who obviously understood the importance of their work.

Visiting Oxford and contrasting it with what we might call a “modern university” is striking; the grounds are immaculate, and the structures are composed of a million different artistic and exquisitely crafted details that dwarf the box-like office-style buildings that comprise most of the modern architecture on college campuses.

The most visible and grounded example of the excellence of Oxford was the “formals.” These formal dinners featured an introductory table blessing, several ordered courses, and required student and faculty robes. While it could easily come across as pretentious, I found it to be an impressive and unifying experience; the dinner brought the Oxford community together and emphasized the importance of their companionship and partnership in achieving higher knowledge.

How did your career get started in the national security/intelligence world?

I got my start in national security and the intelligence world in great part due to IWP Career Services.

It can be difficult to find opportunities on many of the more common job sites, but Derrick Dortch is very helpful in providing weekly career postings. One of those jobs so happened to be in declassification analysis, working for QualX LLC. It is very likely I would not have discovered them if not for the newsletter. QualX sponsored my clearance and was, therefore, a major part of my career trajectory in government work.

Please tell us about your current professional work.

I am currently an intelligence analyst working for BAE on behalf of a government client. Like all intelligence analysts, it is my job to synthesize information from a variety of sources, confirm the extent to which it is verifiable, and produce an actionable product for the benefit of the security and wellbeing of the United States. My current role focuses on threat intelligence from dangers foreign and domestic.

Has your IWP education been helpful in your professional work?

IWP has been invaluable in my professional work. The rigorous coursework has given me not just a great insight into the historical underpinnings of intelligence and the development of the U.S. intelligence community, but also the common intelligence pitfalls that undermine the goal of intelligence, which is the uncovering of the truth and acting upon it for the betterment of the nation. IWP’s academic rigor has also made me comfortable both in writing long assessments and giving presentations, each important components of my current occupation.

What do you find to be the most rewarding about your work?

I primarily find my work to be rewarding because it is ultimately in the service of the United States and the American people.

Although I play a small part in the overall safety and security of the United States, I hope to keep our government better informed of potential threats and dangers that impact everyday fellow citizens. Even during difficult days where problems seem overwhelming and progress limited, the goal of defending the homeland and the dedication of my team around me keeps me motivated.

What advice would you give new IWP students?

Be self-motivated and really dig into your research. IWP has a treasure trove of information in its libraries, but also online. As a fully online student, there are a host of different scholarly databases and online libraries that we have access to that can add significant substance to your papers and projects.

Also, don’t be afraid to speak your mind in seminars. If you’re factually wrong about something, the professors will be sure to assist you in correcting your mistakes. Debate and discussion will only help to refine and hone your own ideas.