The Institute of World Politics

05/28/2026

Members of the IWP Class of 2026 are already making an impact across the national security community, serving with the military, the Department of War, the Department of State, the Intelligence Community, and in government relations roles.

Their work reflects IWP’s mission of preparing principled leaders to advance American security interests at home and abroad.

Read more about IWP Commencement here: https://www.iwp.edu/students-alumni/alumni/2026/05/18/iwp-celebrates-class-of-2026-and-presidential-investiture-of-chris-glass/

05/28/2026

IWP Alumnus Spotlight: James Gabele (’08) helped grow CyanGate from a five-person startup into a global provider of digital asset management solutions serving Fortune 500 companies and institutions such as the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Today, as CyanGate’s Sales Operations Manager, James oversees international operations and works with clients including Fox, Paramount, PBS, Kohler, Kroger, and Hearst magazines.

James credits his IWP education in diplomacy, strategic communications, and statecraft with shaping the leadership and negotiation skills he applies daily in international business.

Read his story here: https://www.iwp.edu/students-alumni/2026/05/05/james-gabele-08-driving-global-growth-through-digital-asset-management/

05/27/2026

As each IWP graduate crosses the stage to receive their diploma, a few words are shared about their time at IWP, giving classmates, faculty, family, and friends a glimpse into their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and future plans.

This year, graduates highlighted:

* Charitable work and volunteer service
* Study abroad experiences with IWP in Budapest and Oxford
* Research and papers on topics including counterterrorism, covert action, public diplomacy, psychological warfare, and intelligence challenges

Congratulations, graduates!

05/27/2026

Earlier this month, IWP was pleased to host former CIA senior operations officer Sean M. Wiswesser for a book lecture on “Tradecraft and Dirty Tricks: Inside Putin’s Secret Intelligence War.”

Drawing on nearly three decades of experience across intelligence, foreign service, and defense institutions, Wiswesser discussed the structure and operations of the SVR, GRU, and FSB, as well as the evolving role of intelligence services in the Russo-Ukraine War.

Watch the full lecture here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJfe9n88gVg

05/26/2026

IWP was pleased to welcome two groups of students from the U.S. Army War College on May 14 as part of the annual USAWC National Security Staff Ride.

During their visit, students attended seminars led by IWP faculty and a doctoral graduate on key national security and international affairs topics, including the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, developments in Latin America, and Chinese naval power.

IWP is honored to continue its longstanding relationship with the U.S. Army War College and contribute to the education of future strategic leaders serving across the U.S. government and allied institutions.

Read more here: https://www.iwp.edu/press-releases/2026/05/20/u-s-army-war-college-students-visit-iwp-during-national-security-staff-ride/

05/25/2026

“As we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation.”

- President Ronald Reagan, Memorial Day Remarks at Arlington National Cemetery, 1982

05/22/2026

IWP is pleased to announce the appointment of Mario Kranjac as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Mr. Kranjac was appointed Chairman on May 14th, following two years of service as Vice Chairman and four years on the Board of Trustees. He is a partner at Kranjac Tripodi & Partners LLP and served as mayor of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, from 2016 to 2024.

“We are delighted and honored that Mario has assumed the Chairmanship of IWP,” said Dr. John Lenczowski, IWP Founder. “He is a proven leader whose judgment, integrity, moral compass, and staunch commitment to IWP’s mission and Charter make him exceptionally well-suited for this role.”

Mr. Kranjac succeeds John Lovewell, who served as Chairman for the past seven years and has been a member of the IWP Board of Trustees for approximately 20 years. IWP remains deeply grateful to Mr. Lovewell for his extraordinary service and longstanding support of the Institute.

Read more here: https://www.iwp.edu/press-releases/2026/05/22/mario-kranjac-appointed-chairman-of-iwp/

On May 14th, IWP Trustee Mario Kranjac was appointed Chairman of The Institute of World Politics, following two years of service as Vice Chairman and four

05/21/2026

Congratulations to our Valedictorian, Jasper Clyatt, of the Class of 2026!

In his valedictory remarks, Jasper described the importance of IWP’s core curriculum in building “a shared intellectual and moral language” among students from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

He also reflected on the relationship between ethics and statecraft:

“...Preserving the moral and cultural foundations of our civilization is not a constraint on effective statecraft—rather, it is effective statecraft.

“When we compromise our principles for convenience or tactical gain, we concede something not easily recovered on the battlefield or at the negotiating table. What we must do instead, and what IWP has equipped us to do, is adapt to reality without sacrificing decency; to hold the line between what power can accomplish and what our principles demand.”

He encouraged graduates to remain “realistically driven but morally grounded” as they enter careers in national security and international affairs.

05/21/2026

Now available from IWP: “Adam Smith and the Founders at 250,” Episode 01 of the Foundations of Freedom series.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/CLjI1rEkVz4

In this opening episode, Dr. Anne Rathbone Bradley sits down with Dr. Samuel Gregg for a timely discussion on Adam Smith, the American Founders, and the enduring relationship between economic liberty and political freedom.

The conversation reflects on the importance of 1776 as a year of two revolutions: America’s Declaration of Independence and the publication of Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations.” Together, Dr. Bradley and Dr. Gregg explore how the Founders viewed commerce, property, virtue, civil society, decentralized institutions, and limited government as essential supports for a free republic.

Dr. Gregg,President and Friedrich Hayek Chair in Economics and Economic History at the American Institute for Economic Research, is the author of numerous books and essays on political economy, classical liberalism, natural law, economic policy, and Western civilization. His insights help frame why Smith’s ideas still matter for America’s 250th anniversary and for the future of ordered liberty.

Watch the full episode now.

#1776

05/20/2026

One of our Ph.D. students, Jennifer Alexander, attended the 5th Annual Transatlantic Bridge Awards ceremony at the EU Ambassador's residence, celebrating U.S.-EU relations.

IWP students continue to engage in international partnerships that support United States allies and strengthen relations.

05/20/2026

IWP is launching the first episode of its new “Foundations of Freedom” series on Thursday, May 21st.

Episode 01, “Adam Smith and the Founders at 250,” features Dr. Anne Rathbone Bradley in conversation with Dr. Samuel Gregg on the significance of 1776, the year of the Declaration of Independence and Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations.”

Dr. Bradley and Dr. Gregg examine how the American Founders understood economic liberty as essential to political liberty, and why private property, rule of law, free markets, virtue, and civil society remain central to the American experiment in self-government.

Dr. Gregg, President and Friedrich Hayek Chair in Economics and Economic History at the American Institute for Economic Research, brings deep expertise in political economy, classical liberalism, natural law, economic policy, and Western civilization.

Watch for the release this Thursday, May 21st.

#1776