What is the Jamestown Foundation?

The Jamestown Foundation is a non-partisan defense policy think tank based in Washington, D.C., United States. A think tank is an organization that performs research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, technology, and culture.

When was the Jamestown Foundation established?

The Jamestown Foundation was formed in 1984, making it 41 years old as of the information provided.

Where is the Jamestown Foundation headquartered?

The headquarters of the Jamestown Foundation is located in Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States.

Who founded the Jamestown Foundation?

The Jamestown Foundation was founded by William W. Geimer, an American lawyer.

What is the primary mission of the Jamestown Foundation?

The stated mission of the Jamestown Foundation is to inform and educate policy makers about events and trends that it regards as being of current strategic importance to the United States.

What are the main geographical and thematic areas of focus for Jamestown Foundation publications?

Jamestown Foundation publications primarily focus on China, Russia, Eurasia, and global terrorism. These regions and topics represent key areas of international relations and security concerns.

What type of organization is the Jamestown Foundation classified as?

The Jamestown Foundation is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization, which is a specific type of non-profit organization in the United States that is exempt from federal income tax.

What was the initial purpose of the Jamestown Foundation when it was founded?

The Jamestown Foundation was initially founded in 1984 as a platform to support Soviet defectors, particularly after Arkady Shevchenko's defection in 1978. Its goal was to provide a means for these individuals to share their insights.

Which high-ranking Soviet official's defection played a significant role in the foundation's establishment?

Arkady Shevchenko, who was the highest-ranking Soviet official ever to defect from his position as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations in 1978, played a significant role in the foundation's establishment.

Who was William Geimer, and what was his role in the Jamestown Foundation's early days?

William Geimer was an American lawyer who worked closely with Arkady Shevchenko and established the Jamestown Foundation. He created the foundation as a vehicle to promote the writings of Shevchenko and other defectors.

Which other prominent defector's writings did the foundation help promote in its early years?

In addition to Arkady Shevchenko, the Jamestown Foundation also helped promote the writings of Ion Pacepa, a former top Romanian intelligence officer. Both defectors published bestselling books with the foundation's assistance.

How did the Central Intelligence Agency contribute to the formation of the Jamestown Foundation?

Central Intelligence Agency Director William J. Casey helped back the formation of the Jamestown Foundation. He agreed with the foundation's concerns that the U.S. intelligence community was not providing sufficient funding for Soviet bloc defectors.

Beyond supporting defectors, whom else did the Jamestown Foundation initially aid in disseminating ideas in the West?

The Jamestown Foundation, initially dedicated to supporting Soviet dissidents, also aided defecting intellectuals from the Eastern Bloc in disseminating their ideas in the West. The Eastern Bloc referred to the former communist states of Central and Eastern Europe during the Cold War.

Who is the current president of the Jamestown Foundation, and when did he assume the role?

Peter Mattis was named the president of the Jamestown Foundation in September 2023. The president is the chief executive officer of the organization.

Who did Peter Mattis succeed as president of the Jamestown Foundation?

Peter Mattis succeeded Glen E. Howard, who had held the position of president for 20 years prior to Mattis's appointment.

Can you name a former National Security Advisor who served on Jamestown's board of directors?

Zbigniew Brzezinski, who served as National Security Advisor to U.S. President Jimmy Carter, was a past member of the Jamestown Foundation's board of directors. The National Security Advisor is a senior aide to the President of the United States on national security issues.

Who is Michael Carpenter, and what are his notable affiliations and past government roles mentioned in relation to the Jamestown Foundation?

Michael Carpenter is a current board member of the Jamestown Foundation and serves as the managing director of the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement. His past government roles include Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, foreign policy advisor to Joe Biden when he was vice president under Barack Obama, and Director for Russia on the National Security Council.

What is significant about Michael G. Vickers' past role and his connection to the book 'Charlie Wilson's War'?

Michael G. Vickers, a current board member, previously served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. His role at the Central Intelligence Agency during the Soviet–Afghan War was famously featured in George Crile's 2003 book, 'Charlie Wilson's War,' which chronicled the CIA's covert operation to arm Afghan mujahideen.

Name at least three other current board members of the Jamestown Foundation as of 2021.

As of 2021, other current board members of the Jamestown Foundation include General Michael V. Hayden, Bruce Hoffman, Matthew Bryza, Robert Spalding, Michelle Van Cleave, Arthur Waldron, and Timothy J. Keating.

Which board member was an architect of US-China strategy during the Donald Trump administration?

Robert Spalding, a current board member of the Jamestown Foundation, acted as an architect of US-China strategy while serving on the National Security Council during the Donald Trump administration.

Who is Vladimir Socor in relation to the Jamestown Foundation?

Vladimir Socor is listed as one of the fellows of the Jamestown Foundation. Fellows are typically experts or scholars associated with a think tank, contributing research and analysis.

What is notable about Michael Scheuer's association with the Jamestown Foundation?

Michael Scheuer was a fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, but he claims to have been fired for criticizing the United States' relationship with Israel. This highlights potential ideological differences or sensitivities within the organization's network.

Who is Thomas Kent, and what was his previous role before being a Jamestown fellow?

Thomas Kent is a fellow at the Jamestown Foundation and previously served as the president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a U.S. government-funded broadcasting organization that provides news and information to countries where press freedom is limited.

What are the four main publications of the Jamestown Foundation as of 2023?

As of 2023, the four main publications of the Jamestown Foundation are 'China Brief,' 'Eurasia Daily Monitor,' 'Terrorism Monitor,' and 'Militant Leadership Monitor.' These publications offer in-depth analysis on their respective topics.

List some of the previous publications issued by the Jamestown Foundation.

Previous publications issued by the Jamestown Foundation include 'Eurasia Security Trends,' 'Fortnight in Review,' 'North Korea Review,' 'Russia and Eurasia Review,' 'Russia's Week,' 'Spotlight on Terror,' 'North Caucasus Weekly' (formerly 'Chechnya Weekly'), 'Recent From Turkey,' and 'Terrorism Focus.'

What was 'Prism: A Monthly on the Post-Soviet States'?

'Prism: A Monthly on the Post-Soviet States' was a publication issued by the Jamestown Foundation from 1995 to 1997, focusing on the countries that emerged after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

What unique art collection did the Jamestown Foundation host?

The Jamestown Foundation hosted Russian artist Nikolai Getman's collection of paintings depicting Gulag camps. The Gulag was the system of forced labor camps in the Soviet Union.

Who was Nikolai Getman, and why was he imprisoned by the Soviet regime?

Nikolai Getman was a Russian artist who was imprisoned for eight years by the Soviet regime. His imprisonment was a result of participating in anti-Soviet propaganda, specifically due to a caricature of Joseph Stalin drawn by one of his friends on a cigarette box.

What was the subject of Nikolai Getman's secret artistic work after his release?

After surviving his imprisonment, Nikolai Getman secretly labored for four decades to create a visual record of the Gulag system through his paintings, documenting the harsh realities of the Soviet labor camps.

To which organization was the Nikolai Getman collection transferred, and when?

The Nikolai Getman collection of Gulag paintings was transferred by the Jamestown Foundation to The Heritage Foundation in September 2009. The Heritage Foundation is another prominent conservative American think tank.

How did the Russian government react to the Jamestown Foundation in 2007?

In 2007, the Russian government criticized the Jamestown Foundation, stating that the think tank was spreading anti-Russian propaganda by hosting a debate on violence in the Russian republic of Ingushetia.

What specific accusations did the Russian Foreign Ministry make against the Jamestown Foundation in 2007?

The Russian Foreign Ministry accused the Jamestown Foundation's organizers of repeatedly resorting to deliberately spreading slander about the situation in Chechnya and other North Caucasus republics, using supporters of terrorists and pseudo-experts, and giving speakers 'carte blanche' to spread extremist propaganda and incite ethnic and inter-religious discord.

How did Glen Howard, then-president of the Jamestown Foundation, respond to Russia's 2007 criticism?

Glen Howard, the Jamestown Foundation's president at the time, responded to Russia's 2007 criticism by stating that Russia was 'intimidated by the power of the free word' and that their actions went 'against the state manipulation of the media in Russia.'

What was the U.S. State Department's view of the Jamestown Foundation's work in 2011?

In 2011, the U.S. State Department held a positive view of the Jamestown Foundation's work, with Ambassador Daniel Benjamin praising its research and analysis of terrorism issues.

Which U.S. official praised Jamestown's research at its Fifth Annual Terrorism Conference?

Ambassador Daniel Benjamin, who was the State Department Counterterrorism Coordinator for the Obama administration, gave the keynote address at Jamestown's Fifth Annual Terrorism Conference and praised the foundation's research and analysis of terrorism issues.

What criticism did the Right Web project (now Militarist Monitor) level against the Jamestown Foundation?

The Right Web project, which is now known as the Militarist Monitor project and is based at the Institute for Policy Studies, criticized the Jamestown Foundation for alleged links to the CIA and for advancing a right-wing, neoconservative agenda. Neoconservatism is a political movement advocating an assertive foreign policy and the promotion of democracy abroad.

What action did the Prosecutor-General of Russia take against the Jamestown Foundation in 2020?

In 2020, the Prosecutor-General of Russia declared the Jamestown Foundation an 'undesirable organisation.' This designation is part of Russian law used to restrict foreign organizations deemed a threat to national security.

What were the reasons cited by the Prosecutor-General of Russia for designating the Jamestown Foundation as an 'undesirable organisation' in 2020?

The Prosecutor-General of Russia stated that the Jamestown Foundation's publications sought to fan separatism in some Russian regions and posed a security threat to the country. Separatism is the advocacy or practice of separation of a certain group of people from a larger body on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or gender.

What potential consequence could the 'undesirable organisation' designation have for the Jamestown Foundation in Russia?

The designation of the Jamestown Foundation as an 'undesirable organisation' by the Prosecutor-General of Russia could result in the organization being banned in Russia under the Russian foreign agent law, severely restricting its operations and influence within the country.

Who is Willy Wo-Lap Lam, and what is his area of expertise as a Jamestown fellow?

Willy Wo-Lap Lam is a fellow at the Jamestown Foundation and is recognized as a Hong Kong–based China specialist, providing expertise on Chinese affairs.

Who is Jacob Zenn, and what is his area of expertise as a Jamestown fellow?

Jacob Zenn is a fellow at the Jamestown Foundation and is a leading expert on Boko Haram, an Islamist extremist group based in northeastern Nigeria.

Who is Stephen Ulph, and what is his area of expertise as a Jamestown fellow?

Stephen Ulph is a fellow at the Jamestown Foundation and is a leading expert on Jihadist ideology, which refers to the religious and political ideology behind various Islamist militant movements.

What is the Tax ID number for the Jamestown Foundation?

The Tax ID number for the Jamestown Foundation is 36-3266722. This is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to business entities operating in the United States for tax purposes.

What is the official website of the Jamestown Foundation?

The official website of the Jamestown Foundation is jamestown.org.

What is the significance of the 'Eurasia Daily Monitor' in relation to the Jamestown Foundation?

'Eurasia Daily Monitor' is one of the Jamestown Foundation's main publications as of 2023, indicating its ongoing focus on providing daily analysis and information regarding the Eurasia region.

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The Foundation

Identity and Structure

The Jamestown Foundation is a Washington, D.C.-based non-partisan defense policy think tank. Established as a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates with a mission to inform and educate policymakers on critical global events and trends deemed strategically important to the United States.^[1]

Genesis and Purpose

Founded in 1984 by American lawyer William Geimer, the Foundation's inception was closely tied to the defection of Arkady Shevchenko, the highest-ranking Soviet official to defect at the time. Initially, it served as a platform to support Soviet defectors and disseminate their insights, including those of former top Romanian intelligence officer Ion Pacepa, whose bestselling books were published with the Foundation's assistance.^[2]^[3]^[4]

Early Backing

The formation of the Jamestown Foundation received support from Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William J. Casey. Casey concurred with the Foundation's assertion that the U.S. intelligence community had not adequately funded Soviet bloc defectors. Beyond defectors, the Foundation also extended its aid to intellectuals from the Eastern Bloc, facilitating the dissemination of their ideas in the West.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Core Mission

Strategic Focus Areas

The Jamestown Foundation's analytical endeavors are primarily concentrated on regions and issues of significant strategic importance to the United States. Its core focus areas include:

China: In-depth analysis of China's domestic and international policies.
Russia: Examination of Russian political, economic, and military developments.
Eurasia: Comprehensive coverage of the broader Eurasian region.
Global Terrorism: Research and analysis of terrorist organizations and counterterrorism strategies.

Through these focused efforts, the Foundation aims to provide nuanced insights into complex geopolitical landscapes.^[1]

Informing Policy

At the heart of the Jamestown Foundation's mission is the commitment to inform and educate policymakers. By producing rigorous research and analysis, the Foundation seeks to equip decision-makers with the knowledge necessary to navigate evolving global challenges. This objective underscores its role as a critical resource in the defense policy discourse.

Leadership & Expertise

Presidential Tenure

As of September 2023, Peter Mattis assumed the role of President of the Jamestown Foundation. He succeeded Glen E. Howard, who had led the organization for two decades, shaping its research agenda and strategic direction during a period of significant global change.^[15]

Distinguished Board

The Foundation's Board of Directors has historically included and continues to feature highly influential figures in U.S. foreign policy and national security. Notable past members include Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter.^[8]

Current board members include:

Michael Carpenter: Managing Director of the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, with prior roles in the Pentagon and White House as a foreign policy advisor to Joe Biden and Director for Russia on the National Security Council.^[9]
Michael G. Vickers: Former Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, known for his role at the CIA during the Soviet–Afghan War, as chronicled in George Crile's book Charlie Wilson's War.^[10]
General Michael V. Hayden: A distinguished military and intelligence leader.
Bruce Hoffman: A renowned expert on terrorism.
Matthew Bryza: A former diplomat and policy expert.
Robert Spalding: Architect of US-China strategy during the Donald Trump administration's National Security Council.^[11]
Michelle Van Cleave: An expert in national security.
Arthur Waldron: A prominent historian and China specialist.
Timothy J. Keating: A former admiral.

Expert Fellows

The Jamestown Foundation's intellectual output is significantly shaped by its cadre of expert fellows, who contribute specialized knowledge across its focus areas. These scholars and analysts bring deep academic and practical experience to their research.

Notable fellows include:

Vladimir Socor: Specializing in Eurasian affairs.
Janusz Bugajski: An expert on Eastern Europe.
Paul Goble: Focusing on Russia and post-Soviet states.
Michael Scheuer: Known for his work on intelligence and terrorism (though he claims to have been fired for criticizing the U.S.-Israel relationship).^[13]
Thomas Kent: Former president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Willy Wo-Lap Lam: A Hong Kong-based China specialist.
Jacob Zenn: A leading expert on Boko Haram.
Stephen Ulph: A leading expert on Jihadist ideology.^[14]

Publications & Research

Flagship Publications

The Jamestown Foundation produces several key publications that serve as primary vehicles for its research and analysis. These monitors and briefs provide timely insights into geopolitical developments:

China Brief: Offers in-depth analysis on China's internal dynamics and external relations.^[16]
Eurasia Daily Monitor: Provides daily updates and analysis on political, economic, and security issues across Eurasia.^[17]
Terrorism Monitor: Focuses on global terrorism trends, groups, and counterterrorism efforts.
Militant Leadership Monitor: Profiles and analyzes key figures within militant organizations.^[18]

Archival & Occasional Works

Beyond its regular publications, the Foundation has a history of producing a diverse range of analytical content, including specialized reports and books that delve deeper into specific topics.

Previous publications include:

Eurasia Security Trends
Fortnight in Review
North Korea Review
Russia and Eurasia Review
Russia's Week
Spotlight on Terror
North Caucasus Weekly (formerly Chechnya Weekly)^[19]
Recent From Turkey^[20]
Terrorism Focus
Prism: A Monthly on the Post-Soviet States (issued from 1995 to 1997)^[23]

The Foundation also publishes occasional reports and books, contributing to a broader understanding of complex geopolitical issues.^[21]^[22]

The Getman Collection

Visualizing the Gulag

The Jamestown Foundation once hosted a significant collection of paintings by Russian artist Nikolai Getman. Getman, who endured eight years of imprisonment under the Soviet regime for alleged "anti-Soviet propaganda" (stemming from a caricature of Joseph Stalin drawn by a friend), secretly dedicated four decades to creating a visual record of the harrowing Gulag system.^[24] His art provides a unique and powerful historical testimony to the Soviet era.

Collection's New Home

In September 2009, the Nikolai Getman collection was transferred from the Jamestown Foundation to The Heritage Foundation, where it continues to serve as a poignant reminder of historical injustices and the resilience of the human spirit.^[25]

Reception & Critiques

Russian Government Accusations

The Jamestown Foundation has faced significant criticism from the Russian government. In 2007, Russia's Foreign Ministry accused the think tank of "deliberately spreading slander about the situation in Chechnya and other republics of the Russian North Caucasus" and allowing "extremist propaganda" by hosting a debate on violence in Ingushetia.^[26] In 2020, the Prosecutor-General of Russia escalated these accusations, stating that the Foundation's publications aimed to "fan separatism in some Russian regions" and posed a "security threat," leading to its designation as an "undesirable organization" under Russian law.^[28]

Jamestown's Defense

In response to the Russian government's criticisms, then-Jamestown Foundation president Glen Howard asserted that Russia was "intimidated by the power of the free word." He suggested that such reactions were indicative of a state that opposed independent analysis and free expression, contrasting it with Russia's own state manipulation of media.^[26]

Diverse U.S. Perspectives

Within the United States, the Foundation has received varied reception. In 2011, Ambassador Daniel Benjamin, the U.S. State Department's Counterterrorism Coordinator during the Obama administration, delivered a keynote address at Jamestown's Fifth Annual Terrorism Conference, commending the Foundation for its valuable research and analysis on terrorism issues.^[27] Conversely, the Right Web project (now "Militarist Monitor"), based at the Institute for Policy Studies, has criticized the Jamestown Foundation for alleged links to the CIA and for promoting a right-wing, neoconservative agenda.^[5]^[6]

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References

"Prism: A Monthly on the Post-Soviet States" on Amazon

A full list of references for this article are available at the Jamestown Foundation Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional policy or intelligence advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional geopolitical analysis, strategic consultation, or intelligence assessments. Always refer to official government reports, academic journals, and consult with qualified experts in international relations, defense, and intelligence for specific policy decisions or in-depth understanding. Never disregard professional analysis because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

The Jamestown Foundation

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The Foundation 🏛️

📍 Identity and Structure

📜 Genesis and Purpose

🤝 Early Backing

Core Mission 🎯

🌍 Strategic Focus Areas

💡 Informing Policy

Leadership & Expertise 👥

💼 Presidential Tenure

🏛️ Distinguished Board

🎓 Expert Fellows

Publications & Research 📚

📰 Flagship Publications

📖 Archival & Occasional Works

The Getman Collection 🎨

🖼️ Visualizing the Gulag

➡️ Collection's New Home

Reception & Critiques 🗣️

🇷🇺 Russian Government Accusations

📢 Jamestown's Defense

🇺🇸 Diverse U.S. Perspectives

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

The Foundation

Identity and Structure

Genesis and Purpose

Early Backing

Core Mission

Strategic Focus Areas

Informing Policy

Leadership & Expertise

Presidential Tenure

Distinguished Board

Expert Fellows

Publications & Research

Flagship Publications

Archival & Occasional Works

The Getman Collection

Visualizing the Gulag

Collection's New Home

Reception & Critiques

Russian Government Accusations

Jamestown's Defense

Diverse U.S. Perspectives

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice