International Visitor Leadership Program
AIES Research Fellow Ulf Steindl as participant
International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)
Jul 04, 2025 / USA / European Security and Defence / Global Affairs
AIES Research Fellow Ulf Steindl had the honor of participating in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) “U.S. Foreign Policy – Global Challenges Facing NATO”. Nominated by the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, he joined 12 young experts and leaders from across Europe for an intensive three-week program exploring transatlantic security, strategic policy, and local perspectives.
From June 6 to 21, 2025, the delegation visited Washington D.C., Atlanta (Georgia), Lincoln (Nebraska), Kansas City (Missouri), and Albuquerque (New Mexico), engaging with a wide range of institutions including federal and state government bodies, think tanks, universities, NGOs, and local enterprises.
Centered on the future of the transatlantic alliance, the program addressed a wide spectrum of topics: geostrategy, NATO military cooperation, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), and the increasing interconnection between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific theatres. Additional discussions covered diplomacy, trade, supply chain resilience, and local policy priorities.
In Washington D.C., the group exchanged views on transatlantic relations with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the U.S. Department of State, and military representatives at the Pentagon, complemented by in-depth policy discussions with several prominent think tanks. At U.S. Strategic Command in Omaha, participants explored nuclear deterrence strategy and its adaptation in the current global environment. This was complemented by detailed briefings on force posture and NATO doctrine development at the U.S. Army’s General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and a discussion with the Nebraska National Guard on international partnerships and the State Partnership Program.
Visits to leading institutions—including the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) in Omaha, the Carter Center in Atlanta, and IBM’s public sector division in Washington— deepened perspectives on innovation, cyber security, public-private cooperation, democracy and diplomacy. The program also highlighted domestic dimensions of U.S. foreign policy. Meetings with state and municipal governments in Nebraska, Missouri, and New Mexico provided insights into industrial policy, trade, and supply chain management, while also addressing region-specific concerns such as agriculture, water governance, and demographic shifts.
Beyond institutional engagement, the program fostered meaningful exchanges with American civil society. Ulf Steindl presented to high school students participating in the Atlanta Institute for Diplomatic Leadership’s summer course, joined community dialogues in Belen (New Mexico) and Lincoln (Nebraska), and experienced home hospitality in Georgia—offering a unique window into American civic life and public sentiment.
Ulf Steindl extends his sincere appreciation to the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, CRDF Global, the Georgia Council for International Visitors, and the Global Ties chapters in Nebraska, Kansas City, and Albuquerque for their outstanding organization and support in making this program a truly insightful and enriching experience.
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