How My Global Risk Degree Supports My Work at the Forge Group

Nicholas A. Meyer

When I entered the Master of Arts in Global Risk (online) program at Johns Hopkins SAIS, I was looking for more than just advanced theory; I wanted a well-rounded and practical curriculum for real-world, globally focused decision-making. In my work with Forge Group LLC, supporting the Office of the Undersecretary of War for Policy (OUSW(P)), I have had the opportunity to apply these lessons every single day.

My primary role involves developing and coordinating policy guidance for critical US security cooperation authorities and advising on policy aspects of international arms sales/transfers. In this environment, every draft memorandum, every resource allocation plan, and every policy recommendation is inherently a calculated, risk-based decision.

The global risk curriculum — particularly its deep dives into region-specific geopolitical analysis, policy implications, and theoretical risk frameworks — has given me the necessary foundation for this role. Most importantly, it trained me to think beyond immediate data points and anticipate the second- and third-order effects of policy choices. This is a crucial skill when dealing with today’s complex and radically uncertain global security environment.
An example of this in practice is my work advising on the Department’s implementation of reform efforts for foreign defense sales. Applying the risk principles I learned at Johns Hopkins SAIS extends far beyond technical design; it requires managing stakeholder expectations and fostering a shared belief in the long-term vision of defense planning. In many ways, it’s about building trust as a risk mitigation strategy — one that not only withstands unanticipated shocks but can even potentially capitalize on disorder.

Ultimately, the greatest value of the MA in Global Risk (online) lies in a risk principle I often reference: policy must be strategically sound, but its real strength comes from a robust narrative that endures and thrives amid the fluctuations of an ever-changing global security environment. In this sense, the degree does more than teach you to model risk; it teaches you to manage and shape the political, economic, and strategic considerations underpinning that risk.

For anyone looking to operate at the intersection of policy and security, the SAIS master’s in global risk provides the tools to navigate complex geopolitical systems with sustainable, effective policy choices.