On March 16, the 21st Century Defense Initiative at Brookings hosted its second annual Military and Federal Fellow Research Symposium, featuring the independent research produced by the members of each military service, and key federal agencies, who spent the last year serving at think tanks and universities across the nation. Organized by the fellows themselves, it was intended to provide a platform for building greater awareness of the cutting-edge work that America’s military and governmental leaders are producing on key policy issues.
The theme of this symposium was “Defense Challenges and Future Opportunities.” After a brief introduction by Peter Singer, director, 21st Century Defense Initiative, panel discussions focused on the fellows’ research findings in the areas of emerging governance, regional insecurity, Department of Defense efforts to harness cyberspace, alliance and regional partnerships, and new challenges in the maritime domain. Major General Lori Robinson, director of Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, and former Brookings federal executive fellow, gave the lunchtime address.
After each panel, the speakers took audience questions.
Agenda
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March 16
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9:30 AM -- Welcome
Peter W. Singer Former Brookings Expert, Strategist and Senior Fellow - New America -
11:05 AM -- Panel 2: Department of Defense Efforts to Harness Cyberspace
Allan A. Friedman Former Brookings Expert, Director of Cybersecurity Initiatives, National Telecommunications and Information Administration - U.S. Department of CommerceLtCol Jerry Carter (USMC) National Security Fellow, Harvard UniversityCOL David Hathaway (USAF) Federal Executive Fellow, The Brookings InstitutionBruce MacKay Defense Intelligence Agency Chair -
9:40 AM -- Panel 1: Regional Insecurity and Emerging Governance
Ted Piccone Nonresident Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology @piccone_tedCOL Timothy McKernan (USA) Secretary of Defense Corporate FellowLtCol Christopher Naler (USMC) Federal Executive Fellow, The Brookings InstitutionLawrence Vasquez Federal Executive Fellow -
12:30 PM -- Lunchtime Keynote
Lori Robinson Nonresident Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology -
1:20 PM -- Panel 3: The Changing Maritime Environment
CDR Josh Himes (USN) Navy Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies -
2:45 PM -- Panel 4: The U.S. and Regional Partners
Julie Boland Federal Executive Fellow, The Brookings InstitutionLtCol Butch Bracknell (USMC) Marine Corps Fellow, The Atlantic Council
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