Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

How does a career in foreign policy begin?

Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) recently sat down with Steven A. Cook, Middle East expert and SAIS alum, to explore his career.

For Cook, an early interest in global affairs became a career dedicated to understanding the Middle East and informing foreign policy.

After earning his master's degree at Johns Hopkins SAIS, Cook built a career that spans research, fieldwork, writing, and policy engagement—becoming a leading voice on the Middle East at CFR.

His experience is an example of how a SAIS education equips graduates with the knowledge, analytical skills, and global perspectives for success in their career.

Read more about Cook's professional journey in his CFR article: https://bit.ly/4b51PWV

For three SAIS students, the NATO Summit was an opportunity to contribute to international policy conversations.

Through the Seeing is Believing project, Nathalia Chiesa (MAIR ’27), Aurora Cumani (MAIR ’26), and Nina Shelanski (MAIR ’27) had the opportunity to build on their study of international security challenges, actively engaging with the leaders and institutions working to address them.

From presenting recommendations to exchanging perspectives with NATO officials and security experts, the experience demonstrated the power of SAIS’ experiential learning opportunities.

Swipe to learn from Professor Edward P. Joseph and SAIS students, Nathalia, Aurora, and Nina about the impact of this opportunity.

📷 Photo credit: Leonhard Simon / Munich Security Conference

The most memorable learning experiences often happen beyond the classroom.

This month, three SAIS students brought their policy recommendations to one of the world’s most significant security forums through the Seeing is Believing project.

Led by SAIS Adjunct Professor and FPI Senior Fellow Edward P. Joseph, Seeing is Believing brings together SAIS students and Western Balkans emerging leaders to develop actionable recommendations on regional and global security challenges.

During the NATO Summit Dialogues in Ankara, Türkiye, Nathalia Chiesa (MAIR ’27), Aurora Cumani (MAIR ’26), and Nina Shelanski (MAIR ’27) presented their recommendations, including the 2026 Recommendations Report, and engaged directly with senior officials and experts, including NATO Special Representative Ambassador Kevin Hamilton, NATO Deputy Secretary-General Radmila Šekerinska, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General James Jones, and Dr. Tobias Bunde of the Munich Security Conference.

📷 Photo credit: Leonhard Simon / Munich Security Conference

In the latest 📥 In the News newsletter, SAIS faculty and experts weigh in on the future of North American trade, rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the diplomatic and military decisions shaping what's next, and more.

https://bit.ly/4of4zq3

"In the nearly three years since we opened the doors to our Hopkins Bloomberg Center, our 118 Nexus awardees have been instrumental to realizing its founding aspirations as a hub for interdisciplinary convenings, groundbreaking cross-divisional research, and exemplary teaching," said Ron Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University.

"We are thrilled to welcome another round of Nexus awardees at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center," added Cybele Bjorklund, executive director of the . "The work of our faculty continues to strengthen our mission of connecting evidence-based research with policy in Washington, D.C., to fuel discovery and dialogue."

Read the full list of award recipients: https://bit.ly/4e9bXjb

→ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗔𝗜

→ 𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗘: 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖-𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗘-𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣

→ 𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗦 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟

→ 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠

→ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗘: 𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗦, 𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗦, 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗬

→ 𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟, 𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟, 𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗖, 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗗𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗦𝗬𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗬

→ 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗡𝗘𝗧𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘, 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛𝗬, 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟𝗦

→ 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗜 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

→ 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡'𝗦 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗡𝗢𝗡-𝗣𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘

“The world needs you now,” said SAIS commencement speaker Wolf Blitzer during the school’s 82nd commencement ceremony in Washington, DC. “Take advantage of everything you have learned here and go out and make some positive change around the world.”

Last week, more than 600 graduates crossed the stage as the SAIS Class of 2026, celebrated by faculty, family, friends, and the global SAIS community. Reflecting on the education and experiences that shaped his own career, Blitzer encouraged graduates to pursue their ambitions with courage and conviction: “When the odds say no, say yes, and go for it.”

Swipe through for a look back at some of the unforgettable moments from Commencement 2026. 🎓

Read more about the 2026 ceremony: https://bit.ly/4u5vXYW

This week, in celebration of the class of 2026, Mr. Wolf Blitzer, distinguished journalist, CNN anchor, and member of the Class of 1972, will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree, Johns Hopkins University's highest recognition.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4tVF3rn

Wolf Blitzer, Distinguished Journalist, CNN Anchor, and Member of the Class of 1972, to Deliver Johns Hopkins SAIS Commencement Address on May 20 Wolf Blitzer, distinguished journalist, CNN anchor, and member of the Class of 1972, will deliver the commencement address during the 2026 graduation ceremony for the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, D.C., on May 20, 2026.

One field, six regional teams, and an afternoon full of SAIS spirit ⚽🌍

The annual SAIS World Cup brought together students from across the community for friendly competition and connection, with Africa taking home the championship after an exciting final against US/Canada.