Will Castanier graduated with high honors from Michigan State University’s James Madison College, where he earned a B.A. in International Relations and Arabic with a minor in Muslim Studies. His undergraduate studies centered on Gulf security, and his senior thesis examined Saudi Arabia’s divergent policies in Syria and Yemen, analyzing the kingdom’s strategic decision-making process.
Through the MAAS program, Will hopes to continue studying the Gulf with a focus on U.S. foreign policy, regional interventionism, and political economy. Prior to joining CCAS, Will served as a research assistant intern at Gulf International Forum and as a legislative intern in the Michigan Senate. Outside of the classroom and office, Will enjoys spending time outdoors, following MSU sports, reading, and listening to Pink Floyd.