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About the Center

Welcome Letter

Welcome to the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Part of the world’s leading school for the study of international affairs, our Center is home to extraordinary scholars and seasoned practitioners in foreign policy and international security.

Our mission is to generate and apply rigorous historical thinking to the most vexing global challenges. We do so in our teaching, by creating innovative new curricula, and in our research and writing. The Kissinger Center also acts as a bridge between the world of ideas and the world of action, bringing together leading thinkers and policymakers.

We passionately believe that a deep understanding of the past – its trends, rhythms, its lessons – can provide powerful insights into the pressing threats and opportunities we face today.

Francis J. Gavin

Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and Inaugural Director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs 
 


The Center 


Established in October 2016 with the largest combined gift in the history of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs is home to a distinguished faculty of scholars and practitioners working to address some of today’s most complex global challenges.
 
The return of great power politics and emerging new threats – from climate change to artificial intelligence and cyberwarfare – are reshaping international relations. The Kissinger Center aims to deepen our understanding of this changing strategic landscape through an historically-informed, interdisciplinary approach to the study of international affairs. This approach honors the legacy of Henry Kissinger, whose diplomatic achievements and erudition have inspired multiple generations of foreign policy professionals. Located in the heart of Washington, DC, the Kissinger Center is uniquely positioned to build on Johns Hopkins SAIS’ more than 75 years of excellence in scholarship and public engagement to prepare tomorrow’s global leaders.