SANNIA ABDULLAH CLOSE (Ph.D.)
Hello!
Thank you for stopping by. I am [pronounced as] SAAN-EEA. I'm an author, podcaster, informed citizen, and a wife.
I LOVE road trips; if it was possible to drive to the moon, I would drive to the moon instead of flying. I am a curious soul, always eager to learn and embrace new challenges. My passion for continuous growth drives me to explore diverse fields and expand my knowledge.
Three lessons of my life: 1) Life is the law of exchange; we get what we give! 3) What we resist, Persists! 3) Faith is not about everything turning out okay; it's about being okay no matter how things turn out.
Academic Profile
Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family' —Kofi Annan
I bring over twelve years of experience studying military strategy, armed conflicts, and crisis behaviors, with a specific focus on how states can learn to avoid military confrontation. My ongoing book manuscript explores strategies to prevent a nuclear holocaust, contributing to scholarly debates on global security.
I began my academic career in January 2011 as a faculty member at the Department of Defense and Strategic Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan. This role provided invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth, from teaching to mentoring future leaders. After relocating to the U.S., I focused on research through prestigious fellowships, and my work has been published in several peer-reviewed academic journals.
My research has reached a broad range of audiences, from academic settings to high-level government institutions such as the USAFA and the Pentagon. Over the years, I participated in multiple Track-II dialogues and war-gaming exercises, gaining critical experience in decision-making, escalation control, and crisis management.
Fellowships and Research Centers
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Cooperative Monitoring Center, Sandia National Labs: Visiting Fellow (2016-2017, 2018-2019)
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Nonproliferation Fellow, CNS Monterey, CA
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Stanton Nuclear Postdoctoral Fellow, CISAC, Stanford University
These fellowships have deepened my expertise in nuclear security and nonproliferation, allowing me to engage with top professionals and institutions in the field.
In addition to my academic work, I host the podcast 'Women with Ambition,' where I interview inspiring women to share their journeys. The podcast is available on Apple, Google, and Spotify, and aims to highlight the achievements of women across various industries.
In addition to publishing, I am passionate about exploring digital platforms and leveraging AI to integrate interdisciplinary approaches, driving innovative solutions to everyday challenges.