Karishma R. Mehta is a policy analyst and intelligence researcher with over ten years of experience conducting strategic research on national security, terrorism, and complex policy challenges. She holds a Master of Science in Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy from American University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Discrete Mathematics from the University of Essex, combining rigorous analytical training with deep subject matter expertise in security threats and extremism.
At RAND Corporation, Karishma supported Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security initiatives, producing intelligence assessments on terrorism, cyber threats, and global influence operations. Her research employs mixed-methods approaches blending quantitative analysis with qualitative investigation, and she has published extensively on homeland security programs, border security, maritime safety, and strategic risks. To support client engagement and policy planning, she has designed and facilitated workshops and panels that convene stakeholders around complex analytical topics, translating research findings into interactive strategic discussions.
Karishma’s analytical work spans counterterrorism, defense policy, and international security. Her publications include analyses of U.S. foreign policy, Iran’s political dynamics, and terrorism risk assessment frameworks, demonstrating her ability to tackle multifaceted geopolitical issues with analytical depth.
Her unique skill set bridges technical rigor and operational excellence. She has developed standardized process mapping and quality assurance procedures that streamline workflows and improve organizational effectiveness. These process optimization capabilities, combined with her facility for creating structured analytical frameworks, enable her to enhance both research quality and operational efficiency.
Earlier in her career, Karishma served as an Intelligence Analyst in GDIT’s Counterterrorism and Criminal Exploitation Unit, where she investigated visa fraud and security threats using open-source intelligence methods and public records analysis. Her mathematical background provides strong foundations for analytical thinking, pattern recognition, and data-driven decision-making.
Fluent in Hindi and conversational in Gujarati, French, and Russian, Karishma brings cross-cultural awareness and multilingual capabilities to her work. She is committed to leveraging her analytical expertise, process optimization skills, and facilitation experience to address complex challenges at the intersection of security, policy, and strategic intelligence.