Redefining national security: Why and how

From climate change to public health to migration, global trends formerly considered separate from national security are increasingly understood to shape American security interests at home and abroad. Drawing connections to U.S. national security has also become a key means to attract attention and resources to otherwise marginalized foreign policy issues. Yet, as some see a need to expand the traditional definition of national security, others see dangers in widening this framework too far. These considerations underline the need to more deeply reflect on how national security is defined.

On May 11, Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security and the Foreign Policy program at Brookings co-hosted a discussion of the conceptual and practical questions facing those who seek to better define American national security interests. Speakers included Heather Hurlburt, Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, Grace Choi, Tausi Suedi, Mireya Solis, and Elizabeth Ferris. Following the discussions, panelists took questions from the audience.