IUS Political Science and International Relations Department Welcomes Professor Eric Leonard for Lecture on U.S. Foreign Policy

On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) Department, Faculty of Business and Administration, International University of Sarajevo (IUS) hosted a guest lecture by Professor Eric K. Leonard, Professor of Political Science and Henkel Family Chair in International Affairs at Shenandoah University, United States of America. The event was held in collaboration with the IUS Balkan Studies Center (BSC).

In his lecture titled “US Foreign Policy: Continuities and Changes,” Professor Leonard examined the historical context of U.S. foreign policy and explained how changing political leadership influences the execution of foreign policy priorities. He emphasized that while some strategic principles have remained stable over time, the personality, ideology, and leadership style of U.S. presidents significantly shape policy outcomes.

Professor Leonard framed his analysis through the main theories of International Relations (IR) - including realism, liberalism, and constructivism - providing students with a deeper understanding of the theoretical foundations behind U.S. actions on the global stage. He also discussed contemporary challenges, including great power competition, global security dynamics, and the evolving role of the United States in international affairs.

The lecture generated great interest among students, who actively participated in a rich Q&A session.