MVDSI Research Associate Albulena Halili Attends U.S. International Visitor Leadership Program

As part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), Dr. Halili participated in “U.S. Foreign Policy – Global Challenges II,” held from 26 September to 10 October 2026. The program brought together professionals from different countries to gain a deeper understanding of U.S. foreign policy priorities, decision-making processes, and approaches to addressing contemporary global challenges.

The programme opened in the U.S. capital, where meetings at the Department of State’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, the Pentagon, the Hudson Institute and the House Foreign Affairs Committee offered an insight into how foreign policy is shaped at the federal level. Discussions covered NATO burden-sharing, U.S.–China competition, artificial intelligence, transatlantic relations, and U.S. policy towards the Western Balkans.

The visit to Iowa City revealed a different face of U.S. foreign policy: how international engagement is experienced locally, by congressional offices, regional businesses and communities. A highlight was the panel discussion with students at the University of Iowa’s Department of Political Science, where Dr. Halili spoke about the challenges facing North Macedonia and the Western Balkans, from internal challenges, bilateral disputes and a stalled EU accession process to Russian and Chinese influence in the region.

The programme concluded in Colorado Springs, where discussions focused on international security and emerging global challenges. At NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, participants learned about the unique binational U.S.–Canadian defence model and emerging challenges in the Arctic, while meetings with Catalyst Campus, at the National Cybersecurity Center and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) explored space security, the protection of critical infrastructure, artificial intelligence and polarisation in public discourse.

The exchange with fellow participants was another valuable aspect of the programme. Discussions with academics from European universities, journalists, think-tankers, and officials provided broader perspectives on the issues discussed and opened up opportunities for future collaboration in joint research, teaching, and academic mobility.

Dr. Halili’s participation builds on her research and teaching in international security, diplomacy, democratic resilience, countering adversarial influences, and Western Balkan geopolitics.

The knowledge, insights and international connections gained through this prestigious programme will enrich MVDSI’s research and academic activities, bringing new perspectives on global security challenges, U.S. foreign policy and international diplomacy, while opening opportunities for future academic and research collaboration.