Brian Perlstein is a junior at Columbia College from Marlboro, New Jersey. As a history major with a specialization in 20th century U.S. history, his research interests include international security, peacemaking, and democratization. As a Laidlaw Scholar, Brian conducts archival research in Columbia’s Rare Book and Manuscript Library while working for the Ambedkar Initiative. He also serves as an editor for both the Columbia Political Review and the Columbia Undergraduate Law Review.