Welcome - Institute for Regional and International Security (IRIS)
The mission of the Institute for Regional and International Security (IRIS) is to deliver advanced education and research to promote the security of the United States and its allies, and enhance the effectiveness of the U.S. Navy. IRIS brings an outstanding faculty of political scientists, historians, and economists together with students from all branches of the U.S. military, defense-related civilian agencies, and international officers in an engaging learning environment designed to deepen knowledge of regional and security affairs, while fostering critical thinking, intellectual independence, and a global perspective.
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Jan 13, 2026 to Jan 15, 2026
Jan 18, 2026 to Jan 21, 2026
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The Institute for Regional and International Security (IRIS) offers fully accredited programs leading to the Master of Arts in Security Studies, as well as a Ph.D. program in Security Studies. In addition to specializing in traditional security domains such as nuclear proliferation, arms control, maritime strategy, interstate wars, insurgency, terrorism and homeland security, IRIS conducts cutting edge research and education in the areas of cyber warfare, space politics, and energy security.
The Institute for Regional and International Security (IRIS) provides top-level education from some of the best scholars in the country.
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Leadership
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The IRIS faculty are leading experts in their field, and working on issues relevant to DoD.
Regional Studies
Security Studies
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Regional Studies
Security Studies
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With the rise of China and the return of Russia to near-peer military status with the United States, the topic of renewed Great Power Competition (GPC) has moved to the forefront of U.S. defense concerns. In 2019, in response to a request from N3/N5, the Institute for Regional and International Security (IRIS) created a first-of-its-kind GPC overview course to educate NPS students and interested faculty and staff about critical challenges posed by China and Russia.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR, DR. MARIA RASMUSSEN
The Institute for Regional and International Security (IRIS) offers fully accredited programs leading to the Master of Arts in Security Studies, as well as a Ph.D. program in Security Studies. In addition to specializing in traditional security domains such as nuclear proliferation, arms control, maritime strategy, interstate wars, insurgency, terrorism and homeland security, IRIS conducts cutting edge research and education in the areas of cyber warfare, space politics, and energy and climate security.
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Latest Books
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Wars of Ambition: The United States, Iran, and the Struggle for the Middle East
A gripping narrative history of one of the most complex and important conflicts in the world—the battle to dominate the Middle East regional order, from 2003 to the present..
The Challenges of Nuclear Security: US and Indian Perspectives
This Open Access volume assembles experts from the United States and India to examine six issues essential to the safety and security of nuclear facilities, technologies, and materials: insider threats, organizational culture, emergency response, physical protection, control of radioactive sources, ..
The COVID-19 Intelligence Failure: Why Warning Was Not Enough
In his new book, The COVID-19 Intelligence Failure: Why Warning Was Not Enough, Erik Dahl looks at what went wrong in the coronavirus pandemic—how was it possible for the U.S...