Marie-Louise “Marlies” Westermann is a Research Associate for the Reimagining US Grand Strategy Program at the Stimson Center. Her research examines US defense policy in the Indo-Pacific, with an emphasis on military logistics, naval strategy, and defense acquisition.

Prior to joining Stimson, Marlies was a 2024 National Security Innovation Network X-Force Fellow at US European Command where she analyzed defense procurement processes within US security assistance initiatives.

Marlies earned a Master of International Affairs from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, where she focused her studies on military and strategic affairs. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Texas A&M University.