Chairman Risch Thanks Foreign Relations Committee Spring 2026 Interns

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today thanked committee interns for their work during the spring term.

“This spring, I was pleased to welcome interns to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,” said Senator Risch. “At a time of heightened global instability – from strategic competition with China and Russia to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Europe – these interns had the unique opportunity to observe how the U.S. Senate advances American leadership abroad. I’m grateful for their hard work and wish them continued success in their next chapter.”

The SFRC interns this spring were:

Jared Abel
St. George, Utah

Jared is a recent graduate of Brigham Young University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a focus on international strategy and diplomacy. During his internship, he worked on the Eurasia and Africa portfolios. This fall, he will begin a master’s degree in international relations at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, where he plans to study Eastern European security. Following his graduate studies, Jared plans to join the U.S. Foreign Service.

Benjamin Tracy

Germantown, Tennessee

Benjamin is a graduate student in the National Security and Intelligence Program at the Texas A&M Bush School of Government and Public Service. Benjamin previously worked in Japan for five years, where he developed a strong interest in Indo-Pacific affairs. His academic and professional interests include national security, defense policy, and regional dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. He aspires to be an intelligence analyst.

Thea Porter

Brattleboro, Vermont

Thea is a recent graduate of the George Washington University’s Elliott School, where she focused on international affairs and studied Arabic. As an intern, Thea strengthened her expertise in Middle East and defense policy while also gaining invaluable experience working on African regional issues and international human rights law. This summer, she will intern at the Department of War, where she hopes to continue building a career in foreign policy and defense.

Darek Silva

New York City, New York

Darek Silva is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science at Skidmore College and is currently studying at American University. During his internship, he covered the Western Hemisphere, the Middle East, and Indo-Pacific, with a focus on political-military affairs. He plans to pursue a career in national security, great power competition, and legal work.

Click here to learn more about the SFRC internship program.

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