The Institute of World Politics

06/04/2026

Congratulations to Cadet Nicholas A. DiNonno, recipient of the 2026 United States Military Academy Institute of World Politics Award for Excellence in Cyber Statecraft!

This award is presented annually to an outstanding West Point graduate who has demonstrated superior excellence and initiative in cyber statecraft studies.

The award was presented by IWP CIO Dean Lane during the West Point Superintendent’s Award Convocation in May.

Learn more: https://www.iwp.edu/press-releases/2026/05/28/iwp-presents-award-for-excellence-in-cyber-statecraft-at-west-point-convocation/

06/01/2026

Captain Chris Glass was formally invested as the fourth President of IWP during the Institute’s recent Commencement ceremony.

Chairman Mario Kranjac charged President Glass with upholding IWP’s mission and Charter, while Founder Dr. John Lenczowski presented him with the IWP mace, symbolizing authority over the affairs of the Institute.

Ambassador Aldona Wos, IWP’s third President and now President Emerita, presented President Glass with the chains of office and the seal of The Institute of World Politics.

Congratulations to President Glass as he begins this new chapter of leadership at IWP.

05/29/2026

IWP Alumnus Spotlight: Grant Turner (’25) currently works at the Stimson Center, where he contributes to research and expert convenings on issues including counter-WMD technologies and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Grant says IWP’s practitioner faculty and emphasis on policy-oriented writing helped prepare him for the demands of think tank work and national security research.

“At IWP, the professors’ focus and passion are educating the students. They are there to continue their service,” Grant said.

Read his story here: https://www.iwp.edu/students-alumni/alumni/2026/05/22/grant-turner-25-impacting-international-affairs/

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