Pathways in Public Service: How an experience with terrorism ultimately led Nishank Motwani MC/MPA 2023 to HKS

At ASPI USA, Nishank focuses on three foreign and defense policy areas: U.S.-Australia bilateral relations, minilaterals and multilateral security agreements such as AUKUS and the Quad, and deterrence against China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. He leads a team of analysts and interns pursuing policy-oriented research and organizes roundtable discussions and conferences to engage with government, private industry, and nongovernmental academics. 

Nishank particularly enjoyed former Massachusetts Governor Professor Deval Patrick’s course MLD-326: Principles and Politics When Running for Office.  

“The course combined a deep practical and philosophical methodology which served as an opportunity to understand a central question that HKS asks its students, ‘What is your why?’ Governor Patrick’s command of the class made me think about what had been driving me to work in my field—a field that involved significant safety risks. His mentorship reminded me of what I had gained from being open to accidental discoveries.” 

During his time at HKS, Nishank organized and moderated panel discussions on security, foreign policy, and defense relating to Afghanistan, terrorism, Russia’s war against Ukraine, and Indian foreign policy and competition with China. He also worked at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs under the late Secretary Ash Carter on policy research regarding the regulation of big technology.

“I applied to HKS because I needed time to reflect on almost two decades of work and the deep loss I experienced after Afghanistan collapsed. I needed the time and space to heal, challenge myself, and think about how I could best mitigate conflict, diagnose problems, and advocate for victims of armed conflict.”

Nishank worked at ATR immediately preceding the Afghan government’s collapse. He went from working with a team of talented researchers on issues of governance, security, health, education, and infrastructure to focusing on the team’s safety and helping with their evacuations out of the country. 

“This was some of the hardest work I’ve done because of how challenging it was to give hope at a time of absolute despair and fear.”

Nishank was in Kabul when then 2019 presidential election results were announced five months later, with both the incumbent and his rival declaring victory.

“This plunged the country into a political crisis. The disputed election results severely damaged the legitimacy of the Afghan government, which was a political self-goal given the ongoing Taliban insurgency.”

Nishank finished his PhD in three and a half years at the top of his class.

Inspired to continue learning, Nishank enrolled in a PhD program. In the same year, he visited Afghanistan for the first time.

“I never would have thought that I would dedicate the next decade of my career working on and in Afghanistan, bouncing between Australia and Kabul in various roles. The most exciting part of my work was covering two presidential elections and working as an independent election observer. My work in Afghanistan and the region exemplifies the application of policy-oriented research for better governance, security, and conflict outcomes.”

Nishank fell in love with the field of strategic studies and the role of armed forces in international relations.

“When the attacks occurred, I wanted to immerse myself in understanding the causes and consequences of armed conflict, the psychology and pathways to radicalization, and bigger questions on strategic competition.”

Shortly after the attacks, Nishank applied to the Australian National University’s (ANU) Strategic and Defense Studies Centre in Canberra to undertake a double master’s program.