Stephen Walt is an American political scientist known for his work in international relations. He is a professor at Harvard University and has contributed significantly to the field through his writings on realism, security studies, and foreign policy. Walt is also recognized for his critiques of U.S. foreign policy and his advocacy for a more restrained approach to international engagement. Walt gained prominence with his book, The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy, co-authored with John Mearsheimer, which sparked considerable debate about the influence of interest groups on American foreign policy. His academic work often emphasizes the importance of power dynamics and the role of state interests in global politics.