Edwin Lax completed his internship as a research intern at the Strategic Studies Department at TRENDS Research and Advisory in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He is a guest lecturer in Middle East Security and Islamic Law at LUMSA University in Rome, Italy. Mr. Lax is currently serving as a Human Resources and Policy Specialist for the United States Air Force Air Combat Command. He is earning his bachelor’s degree in Political and International Sciences at LUMSA University and plans to pursue graduate school in the United States with the United States Air Force. With experience in Europe, North America, and the Middle East, his expertise is in policy-oriented qualitative research and advisory focusing on the Middle East. Mr. Lax has participated in several activities of international relevance, such as being a political advisor at the Joint Stars 2023 NATO Military Exercise, working closely with the Italian Defense General Staff, and being a speaker at the PRIN policy research project (Research of National Relevance) financed by the Italian government, where he presented his research findings on the integration of Islamic law to contrast Islamic extremism and add a new policy strategy to insurgency warfare. His current research focuses on AI, Islamic extremism, defense policy, military strategy, and Middle East security.