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Thursday January 8, 2009

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Ian Livingston - General Victor E. Renuart speaks at Brookings.

Save to My Portfolio The Impact of Tomorrow’s Security Challenges on U.S. Northern Command

Friday, October 24, 2008
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Washington, DC

The 21st Century Defense Initiative at Brookings hosted Gen. Victor E. Renuart, commander of the North American Aerospace Command and U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), for a discussion of the impact of today's security challenges on the mission and structure of NORTHCOM. Read More

National Security, Foreign Policy, Defense, Defense Strategy, U.S. Military

past event


Reuters/Erin Siegal - U.S. soldiers listen to a briefing in a simulated war environment at Fort Hunter Liggett, California.

Save to My Portfolio Balancing the Force: Considerations of Size, Structure and Risk

Wednesday, October 22, 2008
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Washington, DC

On October 22, the 21st Century Defense Initiative held a lunch and discussion with Nelson Ford, undersecretary of the Army. He offered his perspective on the challenges of resourcing the current mission of his service and how the Army’s current structure and size affects the U.S. ability to meet future security needs. Read More

U.S. Military, U.S. Department of Defense, Defense, Defense Strategy

past event


Reuters/Jason Reed - U.S. Army General Petraeus shakes hands with Committee Chairman Skelton at end of a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington

Save to My Portfolio "Game Changers" and the Military: Exploring Innovation and Leadership

Thursday, July 31, 2008
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Washington, DC

Brookings’ 21st Century Defense Initiative and the U.S. Army War College hosted Rep. Ike Skelton, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, for a discussion on fostering innovative leaders within the U.S. military. Often referred to as “game changers,” these individuals are essential as the military faces a continually changing global environment. Rep. Skelton speech focused on the deep challenges the military faces in how to foster, train, integrate and retain these unique leaders. Read More

Defense Strategy, U.S. Military, Revolution in Military Affairs, Defense, National Security

past event


Ian Livingston - Michael Fullilove (l) converses with the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP

Save to My Portfolio Australia's Defense and Foreign Policy Priorities

Tuesday, July 15, 2008
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Washington, DC

On July 15, the 21st Century Defense Initiative at Brookings and Lowy Institute for International Policy hosted the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, the Australian minister for defense. Minister Fitzgibbon outlined the new government’s priorities and discussed the role of the U.S.-Australia alliance in shaping peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region. Read More

Defense, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Foreign Policy

past event


Reuters - General Ward, commander of U.S. Africa Command, meets with Ugandan troops in Jinja, Uganda

Save to My Portfolio AFRICOM: The Road Ahead for United States Africa Command

Tuesday, May 27, 2008
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Washington, DC

On May 27, Brookings’s 21st Century Defense Initiative hosted Vice Admiral Robert T. Moeller, deputy to the commander for military operations, United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), for a discussion on the aims, status and future mission for AFRICOM as it approaches its first anniversary this fall. Read More

Africa, Defense, U.S. Military, Defense Strategy

Research and Commentary

Save to My Portfolio U.S. Overseas Military Presence in the 21st Century

Michael E. O'Hanlon, June 2008

The next American president will inherit an overseas military base realignment process guided by an effort known as the Global Posture Review. As Michael O'Hanlon argues, a successful outcome will depend on the next U.S. administration refining the current plan—and redefining the broader national security policy context in which base realignment will be viewed. Read More

Research and Commentary

Save to My Portfolio A Look at the Pentagon’s Five Step Plan For Making Iron Man Real

Peter W. Singer, May 02, 2008

As the movie Iron Man debuts in theaters, Peter Singer writes that the superhuman strengths enabled to the star character, through use of a suit, are "no mere fiction." Instead, Singer details how this vision of technology overcoming the weaknesses of the human body has led the Pentagon to invest billions of dollars into creating a military of supersoldiers. Read More

Past Event

Save to My Portfolio 9/11, Katrina, and the Future of Interagency Disaster Response

Tuesday, May 29, 2007
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Washington, DC

The 21st Century Defense Initiative hosted Admiral Thad W. Allen for a discussion of how the U.S. Coast Guard can contribute to enhanced unity of interagency responses to disasters. Read More

Past Event

Save to My Portfolio From the Middle East to the Pacific: The Military's Shifting Focus

Wednesday, September 05, 2007
1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Washington, DC

Moving beyond Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pacific Rim with emerging Asian powers presents vexing diplomatic and strategic challenges to U.S. influence. In his new book, Robert D. Kaplan examines how the U. S. military is gradually shifting from an operational focus on the Middle East to one on China and the Pacific. Read More

About Us

The 21st Century Defense Initiative produces cutting-edge research, analysis, and outreach that address some of the most critical issues facing leaders shaping defense policy in the coming century. The initiative focuses on three core issues: the future of war, the future of U.S. defense needs and priorities, and the future of the U.S. defense system

Recent Research and Commentary

Terrorism Sunni and Shi ’a Terrorism: Differences that Matter

Thomas F. Lynch III, December 29, 2008

Defense Budget The 4 Percent Defense Spending Chimera

Michael E. O'Hanlon, November 11, 2008

Private Military Contractors Militares privados: beneficios vs política publica

Peter W. Singer, September 2008

U.S. Military How The Real World Ended “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”

Peter W. Singer, August 2008

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Spotlight

ExpertDarrell M. West

Darrell M. West is the vice president and director of Governance Studies at Brookings. His studies include campaigns and elections, political advertising, mass media, public opinion, technology policy and electronic government.

ExpertMark B. McClellan

A medical doctor and economist, Mark McClellan works on promoting high-quality, innovative and affordable health care. Once commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. McClellan now directs the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform.

Policy CenterEngelberg Center for Health Care Reform

The Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform provides practical solutions to achieve high-quality, innovative, affordable health care with particular emphasis on identifying opportunities on the national, state and local levels.

ExpertMauricio Cárdenas

Mauricio Cárdenas is a senior fellow and director of the Latin American Initiative. Formerly minister of Economic Development and Transportation, and director of National Planning of Colombia, his research focuses on international and development economics. He is also the president of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association (LACEA).

ExpertMartin S. Indyk

Ambassador to Israel and assistant secretary of state for near east affairs during the Clinton Administration, Martin Indyk directs the Saban Center for Middle East Policy. He currently focuses on the Clinton administration’s diplomacy and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

ExpertJulia B. Isaacs

Julia Isaacs focuses on public investments in children and how children are affected by national budgetary policies. A former federal budget analyst, she also researches the economic mobility of children and families across the income spectrum.

ExpertSuzanne Maloney

Suzanne Maloney studies Iran, the political economy of the Persian Gulf and Middle East energy policy. A former U.S. State Department policy advisor, she has also counseled private companies on Middle East issues.

TopicEducation

The economic and political well-being of any democracy requires a well-educated citizenry. Brookings’s work has extended beyond the K-12 bookends to include pre-school interventions and issues in higher education. Experts are tackling fundamental issues on the role of education in the national and global economy.

ProgramGovernance Studies

Governance Studies explores political institutions of the United States and other democracies to assess how they govern, how their practices compare and how citizens and public servants can advance sound governance.

Research ProjectThe Hamilton Project

The Hamilton Project produces research and policy proposals on how to create a growing economy that benefits more Americans. Their agenda also focuses on enhancing individual economic security and effective public investments. 

Research ProjectLatin America Initiative

The Latin America Initiative provides high-quality, in-depth, and independent research across a range of economic and political issues, and offers policy recommendations aimed at U.S. and Latin American policymakers.

TOPICThe Presidential Transition

During the 77 days from the election to the Inauguration, Brookings experts will offer 12 "Memos to the President" on top policy priorities across the spectrum of domestic and global challenges, plus additional advice on transitioning from campaigning to governing.

ExpertEswar Prasad

Eswar Prasad, the Tolani Senior Professor of Trade Policy at Cornell University, is a senior fellow in Global Economy and Development. He was previously head of the Financial Studies Division and the China Division at the IMF.

ExpertHugh B. Price

Former president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League, Hugh Price is an expert on education, civil rights, equal opportunity and criminal justice. His 40-year career spans journalism, philanthropy, the law, and social advocacy.

ExpertSarah A. Binder

Sarah Binder is an expert on Congress and legislative politics.  She is completing a project on the politics of advice and consent, and is at work on the politics of how Congress responds to financial crises.

ExpertAlice M. Rivlin

Alice Rivlin, the first director of the Congressional Budget Office, is an expert on urban issues as well as fiscal, monetary and social policy. She directs the Greater Washington Research project. 

ExpertRebecca Blank

Rebecca Blank is an expert on the interaction between the macroeconomy, government anti-poverty programs, and the behavior and well being of low-income families. She has just been named the Robert S. Kerr senior fellow at Brookings.