At Florida International University (FIU), the intersection of academic research and national security is driving real-world intelligence solutions. Earlier in the day, FIU’s Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy hosted USGIF’s Spatial Edge Miami, where Director of Research and Operations Bruce Vitor emphasized the critical role of data fusion in tackling challenges across the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility. Building on that momentum, 3GIMBALS and FIU convened a follow-on event focused on strategic competition and unclassified intelligence research, showcasing how student-driven projects are directly supporting intelligence operations in the region.
The Value of Unclassified Intelligence Research
Unlike classified intelligence products that are restricted to specific users, the unclassified nature of FIU’s student-led research makes it uniquely valuable. These open-source tools allow for greater collaboration with foreign partners, regional governments, and interagency teams that do not have access to classified systems. The ability to share information broadly without security restrictions enhances coordination between the United States and its allies, helping to build a more comprehensive understanding of emerging security challenges.
Tracking China’s Growing Influence
The event featured a range of student-developed dashboards, each designed to provide a clearer picture of geopolitical and security dynamics in Latin America. Among them, the China Activities Dashboard stood out for its ability to track infrastructure projects, economic partnerships, and political engagements funded by Chinese entities. As Beijing deepens its influence across Latin America, policymakers and security professionals require precise, data-backed insights. The FIU students behind this dashboard created a tool that organizes and visualizes critical data, helping decision-makers assess where and how Chinese investments are reshaping the region.
Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Another significant contribution came in the form of the Critical Minerals Dashboard, an analytical platform mapping key mining sites across Latin America and the Caribbean. Beyond simple location tracking, the dashboard offers a deeper look into ownership structures, particularly China’s expanding control over lithium, cobalt, and rare earth element extraction. With these minerals becoming increasingly vital for defense, technology, and energy sectors, understanding supply chain vulnerabilities is no longer optional. The students’ work presents policymakers with a clear, data-driven assessment of mineral resource distribution and the geopolitical leverage that foreign ownership may create. Because this dashboard is unclassified, it serves as an accessible resource for international partners and industry stakeholders seeking to understand global supply chain risks.
Maritime Security and Illegal Fishing
Illicit economic activity was another focus of FIU’s student researchers. Their Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Dashboard provides intelligence analysts and other key stakeholders with a dynamic tool to monitor unlawful maritime operations. Overfishing and unauthorized exploitation of regional waters affect not only economic security but also environmental sustainability and territorial sovereignty. By integrating geospatial intelligence with policy research, FIU students built an application that allows decision-makers to detect patterns, identify high-risk areas, and respond proactively. The unclassified nature of this dashboard makes it an especially valuable resource for regional maritime enforcement agencies and international organizations working to combat illegal fishing operations.
Migration and Transnational Security Research
Beyond dashboard development, students presented independent research on regional security challenges. One particularly compelling study examined the increasing migration of Chinese nationals through Panama, Mexico, and ultimately to the United States. The research highlighted how established smuggling routes, particularly through the treacherous Darien Gap, have facilitated this movement. It explored the broader geopolitical and economic factors influencing these migration flows and their implications for U.S. border security. For analysts tracking transnational migration patterns, this research adds an essential layer of context, illustrating how economic influence and migration trends are becoming increasingly intertwined. Because this research is unclassified, it can be used to inform policymakers across multiple agencies, as well as foreign partners working on migration security.
Bridging Academia and National Security
What made this event especially significant was the way it bridged academia and operational intelligence work. The projects on display were not theoretical exercises meant to sit in research archives. They were working tools, immediately relevant to intelligence professionals, and built by students who understand that their work must be both rigorous and applicable. Each dashboard and research initiative demonstrated a commitment to actionable information, the kind that can shape policy and guide security responses in real time. Because these products do not require clearance or classified system access, they serve as a crucial bridge between government, academia, and international partners who might otherwise be excluded from critical security discussions.
For 3GIMBALS, supporting this type of initiative is about fostering a pipeline of talent that is not merely preparing for intelligence careers but actively contributing to them. The work being done at FIU’s Security Research Hub is proof that academic research, when properly structured and applied, can provide invaluable support to national security operations. These students are proving that intelligence is not just about data collection—it’s about synthesis, application, and strategic foresight. Their contributions are already influencing how information is gathered, analyzed, and utilized, making it clear that the future of national security is in capable hands. By creating tools that are both operationally relevant and widely shareable, FIU students are demonstrating how open-source analysis can complement traditional intelligence efforts and enhance cooperation across the national security community.
