By Larry Provost
Thirty-five years ago, John Lenczowski, former Reagan National Security Council Director of Eastern European and Soviet Affairs, pursued his vision to establish a pragmatic academic institution in the Institute of World Politics (IWP). The institute’s mission statement emphasizes its role as an independent graduate school focused on national security, intelligence, and international affairs, aiming to cultivate leaders with expertise in international realities and ethical statecraft rooted in American political principles and Western moral traditions.
Lenczowski founded IWP after observing a gap in preparation among government employees working in strategic environments, particularly within the U.S. State Department and intelligence agencies, where 95% of intelligence officers lacked formal training in their field. The institute trains students in statecraft through areas such as strategic deception, ideological warfare, foreign influence operations, public diplomacy, and political warfare. Its academic programs include the first master’s degree in strategic intelligence outside U.S. government institutions and the first professional doctorate in national security.
Lenczowski emphasized that national security must remain the highest public policy priority, as without peace and stability, society’s functions—commerce, governance, and more—cannot operate effectively. Economics is taught not as theory but as strategy, with topics like trade, aid, defense industrial infrastructure, technology security, and financial policy framed as tools of national security.
IWP places significant emphasis on counterintelligence, a field Lenczowski noted is often misunderstood. He highlighted the need for quality control in intelligence collection and countering foreign covert influence operations. Despite challenges in its early years, IWP has distinguished itself by producing national security professionals, even as some graduates enter nations with opposing values, such as China and Russia.
Lenczowski raised concerns about U.S. vulnerabilities, including China’s monopoly on rare earth materials, its vast shipbuilding capacity, and the erosion of American maritime presence. He criticized the lack of focus on economic warfare, sanctions, and countermeasures against mercantilist practices, while also accusing Chinese influence over U.S. media and political figures.
Public diplomacy, Lenczowski argued, is as critical as traditional diplomacy, citing Cold War-era examples where it inspired dissent behind the Iron Curtain. He questioned the effectiveness of philanthropy in advancing foreign policy. IWP’s graduates have secured roles in intelligence agencies, the Department of Defense, and other national security sectors, with high job placement rates.
After 35 years, IWP remains committed to its founding principles, despite broader trends in academia. John Lenczowski now serves as president emeritus, with Ambassador Aldona Wos leading the institution. The institute’s mission endures, emphasizing integrity and focus on national security.
