Army Strategy Conference to define First Principles for 21st Century Defense
#StratConf
A new kind of conference this week will give a fresh look at the fundamentals of defense in the 21st Century. The Army Strategy Conference is a two-and-half day virtual conference for worldwide participation, 7-9 April. Listen/watch at your desktop -- www.carlisle.army.mil. Participate by Twitter #StratConf.
In light of anticipated security conditions, and defense demands, what are the most relevant first principles for the next decade's defense strategy and planning? That's the question that will engage experts at the Carlisle conference and virtual participants worldwide. See who else is participating at the conference site [http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/conf/
Global Q&A sessions follow expert discussions from leading national voices about -- the new 'Great Game' of security competition, Asia-Pacific style; and the Gray Zone of Russia's and Iran's hybrid playbook and challenges that "nibble at the margins of U.S. interests without giving us 'causa belli' and present gray problems that the Defense Department is not best suited for," according to research professor Nate Freier who planned the event and its cast of expertise.
This is the strategy conference for anyone in the U.S. Armed Forces, exploring the worldwide impact of 'Forever War,' the forecasting challenges of 'Gray Swans, Black Swans, and Future Regret', and trends in international security.
With 25 years of experience in shaping the annual Army Strategy Conference, its planners know how to put the right people in the room -- and now, Army personnel worldwide can join the room and the conversation virtually. Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert O. Work; Assistant Secretary of Defense Robert Scher; Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Christine Wormuth; National Intelligence Council Chairman Dr. Gregory Treverton; British Minister Steve McCarthy are among the experts to add a policy focus and anchor discussions during the annual Strategy Conference at Carlisle.
There's a transition within the Defense world away from large-scale conflicts as new challenges emerge and demand some element of response, said conference planner and research professor Nate Freier. Our intent is to identify the principles to guide strategy and choices in order to cover down on necessary large-scale defense requirements and address others by exception.
DoD is in the midst of an historic transformation in its priorities, missions, and capabilities. Moving from thirteen years of persistent war abroad, DoD wrestles with new challenges and new opportunities. Uncertainty defines the decision space for senior leadership, yet they still face unavoidable near- to mid-term choices that will inevitably shape the department's long-term focus. Among these choices are, identifying and prioritizing for analysis major trends in international security, mapping DoD's internal and external challenges, defining the nature and impact of emerging security competitors, and, finally, recognizing potential sources of disruptive surprise.
The conference begins Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. with a panel of Army War College students, the Carlisle Scholars, who will define the "Hard choices: Defense strategy and risk management" -- and closes Friday, with a 12:45 p.m. senior adviser roundtable on "Key principles for Defense planning' with strategist Dr. Peter Singer, USAF Academy Scholar/ retired USAF Lt. Gen. Christopher Miller, NESA director/retired Lt. Gen. Terry Wolf, W.C. Gregson president/retired Marine Lt. Gen. Wallace Gregson, and Distinguished Fellow Franklin Kramer of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security. See the complete Conference Agenda.
SSI publications will follow, but the strength of the conference will be the expertise and diversity of voices in the conversation.
Freier is a research professor with The War College's Strategic Studies Institute, SSI, which has a deep and rich reputation for producing high-quality, independent studies. SSI manages the CSA's Key Strategic Issues List.
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