The overarching themes of the International Politics program ask the central questions of International Relations:

• Traditional and new issues in the field of international security, including terrorism, failed states, human security, and insurgency/counterinsurgency.
• Major changes taking place in global governance, and how they impact issues such as climate change, development aid, and ethnic conflict.
• The role of international law in managing international relations.
• Evaluating the performance of major global organizations.
• Human rights and gender dimensions of conflict and post-war transition.
• Causes and consequences of corruption, and efforts to combat it.
• The response of states and international organizations to trafficking, migration, and refugees.
• Security relations and institutions in different global regions.
• Emerging methods of understanding and combating cybercrime.
• Understanding the impact of globalization on global issues and politics.