The University of Vermont’s Master of Public Administration program will host a timely and thought-provoking lecture, “Searching for Monsters to Destroy: Foreign Policy in a Multipolar World,” on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in Lafayette Hall L111.

The event, made possible through the leadership of Dr. Christina Barsky, Director of the MPA program, will feature Dr. Paul Lenze, who will explore the shifting dynamics of U.S. foreign policy and global power in the 21st century.

Since 2001, in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, U.S. military and diplomatic efforts in the Middle East have reshaped the global balance of power. While the U.S. focused on conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, emerging powers such as Russia and China expanded their influence, challenging the American-led liberal international order. Dr. Lenze’s talk will examine the political, economic, and security implications of these shifts, as well as the rise of regionalism, state capitalism, and new forms of warfare.

As the world transitions toward a multipolar system, understanding the intersections of history, economics, and culture becomes increasingly vital to navigating global challenges.

The event is free and open to the public, and all are welcome to attend.