<p>What's unique about USC IR is that although it may not be as strong overall as say, other powerhouses like Georgetown, there's arguably no place better to study IR that's focused on the Pacific Rim and Asia. USC also has one of the leading scholars, if not THE leading scholar, on Africa-related IR in Gerald Bender.</p>
<p>I remember back in February, President Bush appointed a triple USC-IR alumnus to Assistant to the President and Deputy Nat'l Security Advisor: <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/01/20050131-4.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/01/20050131-4.html</a></p>