New Threats, New Defense: The Future of National Security

On July 15 The Hill hosted New Threats, New Defense: The Future of National Security, an event exploring America’s new baseline for its foreign policy and national security needs. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo headlined the virtual program in a live interview with Bob Cusack, The Hill’s editor-in-chief.

Whether one looks at global trends with the cold steely eyes of realism or believes in self-interested engagement, America’s social contract with the rest of the world has shifted. With that its foreign policy and national security infrastructure needs have evolved as well.  

The Hill convened the nation’s leading thinkers, futurists, scientists, strategists, policy practitioners and leaders through a focused discussion on what programs and assets make sense for the future. Which have diminishing utility? What fields of new national security work need to be invented or reinvented today? What does America do to try and reorder the international system? Or does it withdraw from it? 

This forum worked to contribute the key principles for hard-edged thinking and investment in American security for the next century.

 

Wednesday, July 15^th

Beginning at 11:00 AM Eastern/8:00 AM Pacific 

 

AGENDA (ALL TIMES EASTERN; SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Session One: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The Global Chessboard

 

11:00 AM HEADLINER INTERVIEW

Michael R. Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State 

In conversation with Bob Cusack, Editor-in-Chief, The Hill 

Introductory Remarks: James Finkelstein, Chairman, The Hill

 

11:20 AM

Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, Chair, Global Politics and Security Concentration & Professor in the Practice of International Affairs, Georgetown University 

In conversation with Steve Clemons, Editor-at-Large, The Hill 

 

11:35 AM

Richard Haass, President, Council on Foregn Relations 

In conversation with Steve Clemons, Editor-at-Large, The Hill 

 

11:50 AM

Danielle Pletka, Senior Fellow, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute 

In conversation with Steve Clemons, Editor-at-Large, The Hill 

 

 

12:00 PM SESSION ONE CONCLUDES

 

Session Two: 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM

Defining Frames and Priorities

 

1:15 PM

Dr. Peter Highnam, Acting Director, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)  

In conversation with Steve Clemons, Editor-at-Large, The Hill 

 

1:30 PM

Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), Chairman, House Committee on Armed Services 

In conversation with Steve Clemons, Editor-at-Large, The Hill 

 

1:45 PM

Derek Chollet, Executive Vice President and Senior Advisor for Security and Defense Policy, German Marshall Fund 

In conversation with Steve Clemons, Editor-at-Large, The Hill 

 

2:00 PM

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), House Committee on Armed Services 

In conversation with Steve Clemons, Editor-at-Large, The Hill 

 

2:15 PM

Jon B. Alterman, Senior Vice President, Brzezinski Chair and Middle East Program Director, CSIS 

In conversation with Steve Clemons, Editor-at-Large, The Hill 

 

2:30 PM

Robert Lightfoot, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Lockheed Martin Space 

In conversation with Steve Clemons, Editor-at-Large, The Hill

 

2:45 PM SESSION TWO CONCLUDES

 

SPEAKERS

• Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
• Jon B. Alterman, Senior Vice President, Brzezinski Chair and Middle East Program Director, CSIS 
• Derek Chollet, Executive Vice President and Senior Advisor for Security and Defense Policy, German Marshall Fund 
• Richard N. Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations 
• Dr. Peter Highnam, Acting Director, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) 
• Robert Lightfoot, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Lockheed Martin Space 
• Danielle Pletka, Senior Fellow, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute 
• Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, Chair, Global Politics and Security Concentration and Professor in the Practice of International Affairs, Georgetown University
• Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), House Committee on Armed Services
• Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), Chairman, House Committee on Armed Services 

More speakers to be announced.

 

MODERATORS

• Steve Clemons, Editor-At-Large, The Hill
• Bob Cusack, Editor-in-Chief, The Hill

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