We are excited to host the Honorable Robert M. Gates, former Secretary of Defense and Director of Central Intelligence, for a keynote conversation with Will Inboden, Executive Vice President and Provost of the University of Texas at Austin. We are also featuring General (Ret.) Vince Brooks, U.S. Army, General (Ret.) Peter W. Chiarelli, U.S. Army, General (Ret.) Robert Neller, U.S. Marine Corps, and General (Ret.) Tod Wolters, U.S. Air Force, for a keynote panel, and renowned defense expert Kori Schake for a conversation with Bobby Chesney, Dean of the University of Texas School of Law. Join us from 9:15 am – 4:00 pm at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. Doors open at 9:00 am.
In an era of renewed great power competition, the tools of influence extend far beyond the battlefield. This conference will explore how diplomacy, economic statecraft, intelligence, emerging technologies, and historical lessons inform the United States’ ability to shape the global environment without overreliance on military force. As current and future leaders confront rising global challenges, these tools are more critical than ever to protecting American interests and sustaining leadership. Through a series of focused panels, a keynote address from Robert Gates, and a keynote conversation with senior military leaders, we will examine how all instruments of national power must be integrated into a comprehensive strategy to sustain American leadership and counter rival powers. The event will bring together senior policymakers, scholars, military leaders, and practitioners to chart a path forward for U.S. national security in the 21st century.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and does not guarantee admission. Parking is available for a fee at Manor and Brazos garages. Complimentary lunch will be available.
AGENDA
9:00 am • Doors open
Coffee / Tea / Light breakfast available
9:15 am – 9:30 am • Welcome Remarks
9:30 am – 10:30 am • Keynote Conversation: “The Return of Strategic Competition”
- The Honorable Robert M. Gates, Former Secretary of Defense and Director of Central Intelligence
- Moderator: Will Inboden, Provost and Executive Vice President of the University of Texas at Austin
10:30 am – 11:30 am • Panel One: A Conversation on National Security Strategy
- Bobby Chesney, Dean of the University of Texas School of Law
- Kori Schake, Senior Fellow and Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute; Former Member of the National Security Council and the Department of State Policy Planning Staff
11:30 am – 12:30 pm • Keynote Panel: “Commanding Beyond Combat: Military Leadership in the Struggle for Global Influence”
- General (Ret.) Vince Brooks, U.S. Army, Former Commander, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea; Distinguished National Security Fellow, Clements Center for National Security and Strauss Center for International Security and Law
- General (Ret.) Peter W. Chiarelli, U.S. Army, President of the Robert M. Gates Global Policy Center
- General (Ret.) Robert Neller, U.S. Marine Corps, 37th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps; Distinguished National Security Fellow, Clements Center for National Security and Strauss Center for International Security and Law
- General (Ret.) Tod Wolters, U.S. Air Force, Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of U.S. European Command
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm • Lunch
Buffet lunch provided for participants and registered guests
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm • Panel Two: Intelligence and Technology
- Alexandra Sukalo, Assistant Professor of National Security Affairs at the LBJ School of Public Affairs; Senior National Security Fellow at the Clements Center for National Security
- Kelly Magsamen, Former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs
- Paul Pope, Senior Fellow at the Intelligence Studies Project
- Moderator: Adam Klein, Director of the Strauss Center for International Security and Law
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm • Panel Three: Diplomacy and Economic Statecraft
- Himamauli Das, Senior Managing Director and Counsel; K2 Integrity; Former Director, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (Acting)
- Simone Ledeen, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East
- Ambassador (Ret.) David C. Litt, Executive Director Emeritus, Institute for Defense & Business, Chapel Hill, NC; Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates
- Moderator: Michael Anderson, Professor of Instruction and Director, International Relations and Global Studies, The University of Texas at Austin
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm • Panel Four: Information, Development and Humanitarian Assistance
- Michael Greene, Senior Foreign Service Officer with USAID (Retired)
- Mark Pomar, Senior National Security Fellow, Clements Center for National Security; Former Director of the USSR Division at the Voice of America
- Daniel Balke, Former Senior Policy Advisor to United States Agency for International Development (USAID); Current Employee of a Multilateral Institution
- Moderator: Kate Weaver, Associate Professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs; Executive Director of Operations, Innovations for Peace and Development, The University of Texas at Austin
4:00 pm • Forum Adjourns