“The contemporary world is characterized by global upheaval resulting from differences in culture, values, history, and evolution. International studies need to focus on the confluence of these trends, permitting the development of a grand strategy. The Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins SAIS will develop a multi-disciplinary approach to world order with special emphasis on historical and cultural evolution.” - Henry A. Kissinger
The Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs generates and applies rigorous historical thinking to the most vexing global challenges and acts as a bridge between the world of ideas and the world of action, bringing together leading thinkers and policymakers.
Through the research and writing of our distinguished faculty, fellows, and scholars
Through innovative classes and curricula, the center seeks to revitalize the practice of diplomatic and military history and to examine the global order
Through public and private programming which engages current leaders and new voices in their fields
We bring together distinguished scholars and practitioners in foreign policy and international security
Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor, Director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs
Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Distinguished Professor of Historical Studies, Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs
The Kissinger Center Papers is a project of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs and the America in the World Consortium, with the support of the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP). Edited by Professors Hal Brands and Frank Gavin, these papers explore the future of war and conflict - its causes and consequences - and how it will be similar to or vary from the past.
Read the Papers
The Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins University is pleased to announce the upcoming Kissinger Summer Academy, a week-long seminar that delves into the role of nuclear weapons in American grand strategy. This intensive program is specifically designed for exceptional undergraduate students and recent graduates. Taking place from July 10th to 14th, 2023, at the renowned Johns Hopkins SAIS campus in Washington, DC, the Kissinger Summer Academy offers a unique opportunity to explore the historical significance of nuclear weapons and their impact on contemporary geopolitical rivalries. During this immersive seminar, participants will engage in dynamic discussions and debates led by renowned experts and scholars in the field of international relations. They will revisit key debates from the Cold War era, examine the complexities of non-proliferation efforts, and analyze the strategic choices that American leaders must confront in today's ever-evolving global landscape. The Kissinger Summer Academy aims to equip emerging thought-leaders and policymakers with a comprehensive understanding of nuclear strategy, providing them with the tools to shape the future of global nuclear policy. By exploring the historical context and current challenges, participants will gain valuable insights into the choices and considerations that define American grand strategy in relation to nuclear weapons.
The "Failure of the Post-Cold War Order" event, organized by the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins SAIS and the University of Mainz, brought together experts and scholars to examine the causes and consequences of the Post-Cold War Order's failure. Through panel discussions and presentations, participants explored alternative approaches and lessons for present and future international politics. The event featured insightful sessions, including discussions on Western institutions, Russia's role, European aspirations, the Asian perspective, and the United States' unipolar moment. The conference aimed to shed light on the history of the Post-Cold War Order and offer valuable insights for navigating international affairs in the future.
Explore our latest scholarship
Professor Hal Brands edited The New Makers of Modern Strategy, is the next generation of the definitive work on strategy and the key figures who have shaped the theory and practice of war and statecraft throughout the centuries. Featuring new entries by world-class scholars, this new edition provides global, comparative perspectives on strategic thought from antiquity to today, surveying both classical and current themes of strategy while devoting greater attention to the Cold War and post-9/11 eras.
Professor Brands is joined by Professor Beckley of Tufts University in a "provocative and urgent" analysis of the U.S - China relationship and rivalry.
In her newest book, Professor Mary Elise Sarotte explores the profound impact of NATO expansion on US-Russia relations since the Cold War, revealing missed opportunities and drawing on newly declassified documents and over 100 interviews.
In this Wall Street Journal article, Professor M.E. Sarotte examines current relations between NATO and Russia--and possible paths forward--based on an understanding of their relationship since the Cold War.
In this Foreign Affairs article, Professor Hal Brands and Professor John Lewis Gaddis argue that we can learn from history to navigate the new Sino-American cold war.
Our programs and projects examine crucial topics in history, strategy, and statecraft
The center’s flagship project which draws from Dr. Henry A. Kissinger’s extraordinary contributions to understanding both world order and how the United States should craft grand strategies in response to a changing international system.
A project that creates a cohort of scholar-practitioners who understand the problems and perspectives of the world of academia and practice and can successfully pursue careers in both.
An initiative that connects scholars who research national security with leading practitioners, showcases female talent in the field, and builds a vertical and horizontal network across the policy-academic gap.
A project to bring leading international experts together to better understand and make recommendations on how to confront the threat of nuclear weapons.
The Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs was made possible by the extraordinary leadership of Johns Hopkins University alumnus and former board chair Michael R. Bloomberg and by generous gifts from individual donors, corporations, and private foundations.
