[1] About My Leadership Style and Philosophy

 

I started projects with and for multiple diverse teams and stakeholders since I was in my twenties, effectively producing a collective series of books, a project on magazine articles and open source intelligence reports. I have successfully supervised and led multiple teams with diverse skill sets and capabilities, coordinating their efforts to produce comprehensive reports that drive significant impact. Through fostering teamwork and leveraging collective expertise, we consistently delivered high-quality outputs that have informed critical decision-making processes and influenced media narratives. By aligning team objectives with organizational goals, I ensured that each project not only met expectations but also provided valuable insights for stakeholders.

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I create opportunities by assembling the right team for each purpose, selecting members based on availability, expertise, experience, and attitude. Every team is unique and cannot be reduced to mere numbers or placeholders. As a result, I encourage team members to explore open problems from their own unique perspectives and areas of expertise, granting them as much freedom and trust as possible. At the same time, I provide ongoing support throughout the analytical project, ensuring they are never left to navigate challenges alone.

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[2] List of Projects - Teamwork - Working Progress

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[2.5] Code Name: 2025, A Rouge Space Odyssey  - China, Russia and Iran in Space - Team of 3 [Virginia, 2024]

 

Understanding the Relationship between China, Russia and Iran and the space race.

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Outer space is the new frontier of the geopolitical competition between major powers including the United States, Europe, and China, Russia, Iran and DPRK. Although not without precedents in the Cold War, the current space race has a different nature, where the private sector in both China and United States is leading the competition. Moreover, the numbers of actors has grown steadily, including countries from all over the world. However, the main question of the project is based on understanding what is the current alignment, and if there is one, between China, Russia and Iran. Are they cooperating and to what extent? These and other research questions will be explored during the project.

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Outcomes: Private Report.

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[2.4] Code Name: Saint George's Cross - Team of 3 [Virginia, 2024]

 

Understanding the Relationship between China and Russia in future conflicts in East Asia.

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The project intends to investigate the current evolution and possible involvement of Russia into an open war in the East Asian theatre alongside China. The Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine currently challenges European security. Since the start of the war in February 2022, Russia has strengthened its ties with China in multiple critical areas, including economic exchange, emerging technologies, satellite and geospatial. However, are they converging in other areas? What could they be, and how can they act together? The project will consider these and other open questions of international security.

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Outcomes: Private Report.

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[2.3] Code Name: The Guardians of Iranian - Team of 3 [Virginia, 2024]

 

With Victoria Jones, Katie Fricke, and Taylor Hankins

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State Reverse Engineering, Drones, Intelligence, and Emerging Technologies - The Strategic Impact of the Russia-Iran Intelligence and Technology Alliance

The evolving relationship between Russia and Iran, driven by military cooperation, particularly in the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), reflects a significant shift in global partnership, complicating the traditional East-West power dynamic. Iran's supply of drones like the Shahed-136 and FPV to Russia has played a crucial role in the Ukraine conflict, overwhelming air defenses and changing battlefield strategies, while enhancing both nations' military capabilities. With the war now raging in the Middle East, the experience gained on the Ukrainian battlefield is coming back into Iran’s proxies. The partnership in UAS design and deployment between Russia and Iran exemplifies their growing military alignment, with similar collaborations extending to conflicts like Yemen, showcasing the broader implications for Middle Eastern and European security. Despite this collaboration, friction points remain between the two countries, limiting the full realization of a strategic partnership. Still, the report suggests that the relationship is likely to deepen, though constrained by geopolitical and internal challenges.

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[2.2] Code Name: God of War - Team of 2 [Virginia, 2024]

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With Brett Evans, Ryder Finn

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Analysis of Russia’s Past Artillery Strategy and Current Production for its War in Ukraine

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For Russia, artillery is not just a military tool but a potent symbol of political power and will. Artillery is considered a strategic weapon, both for its destructive capability and its role in showcasing Russia’s political resolve. The study focuses on Russia's extensive use of artillery in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an area that has yet to receive a detailed and systematic analysis. Understanding Russia’s artillery use requires a deep dive into the historical evolution of Russian artillery doctrine and technology, particularly in eastern Ukraine. A purely historical study is not enough—like Clausewitz’s view of war as a chameleon, understanding the unchanging essence of war requires recognizing the unique characteristics of today’s conflict. The research combines historical insights with modern conflict analysis to fully grasp the reasons behind Russia's continued reliance on artillery in warfare.

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Outcomes:

 

Pili, G., Evans, B., Finn, R., 'Russia’s God of War - The Political and Military Power of Artillery', Royal United Service Institute, London (UK), 02.2025, [LINK]

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These media credited, re-used or republished the analysis: Buriness Insider (USA) and Yahoo!News, Formiche​ (ITA).

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[2.1] Code Name: Seaward Sentinels - Team of 3 [Virginia, 2024]

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The Future of Naval Warfare: How Ukraine’s Sea Drones Change the Game

 

By relying on civilian production and an array of active development models, Ukrainian USV use has structured itself according to guerilla tactics. The use of placing many models of USV in development as they are actively tested in warfare offers a scattergun approach to drone design and testing. Current USV successes by Ukraine in defending itself against the Russian Federation’s illegal full-scale invasion offer insights for NATO allies as to how future naval warfare could be conducted. 

 

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