American Security Project

On February 28th, the American Security Project hosted an in-depth panel discussion on “US – Russia Nuclear Policy in the Trump era.”

On this week’s episode of “What’s Next?”, Maggie Feldman-Piltch is joined by terrorism expert and Georgetown Security Studies professor Dr. R. Nicholas Palarino. They discuss security concerns facing the upcoming administration, how to apply international relations theory to security policy, and the key policy initiatives needed to succeed in counter terrorism.

On this week’s episode of “What’s Next?”, Maggie Feldman-Piltch is joined by ASP consensus member, Major General Paul D. Eaton. In this episode, Maj. General Eaton discusses his assignment to Iraq from 2003 to 2004 where he was charged with rebuilding the Iraqi armed forces.

On this week’s episode of “What’s Next?”, Maggie Feldman-Piltch is joined by Rachael Piltch-Loeb, doctoral candidate and research scientist at NYU’s College of Global Public Health Program on Population Impact, Recovery, and Resilience focusing on projects related to health well-being and long term recovery from disasters.

This episode revolves around the topic of 'smart cities', discussing the different elements and players involved in planning cities for the future. Ms. Lanigan discusses the preparedness, resilience, and logistics behind designing 'smart cities'.

On this week’s episode of “What’s Next?” Maggie Feldman-Piltch is joined by Marc Schleifer, Regional Director for Eurasia and South Asia at the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). This episode focuses on the increasing erosion of liberal institutions and the rise of populism, xenophobia, and nationalism across the world. Maggie and Marc discuss the root causes of the current migration issue, considering the effects of conflict, economic opportunity, and environmental factors, and examine trends contributing to the recent backlash against economic globalization.

Speaker Bio

Prior to joining the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) in his current position as Regional Director for Europe, Eurasia, and South Asia, Marc Schleifer was a Program Officer for Russia and Ukraine at the National Endowment for Democracy. He has also worked at the Eurasia Foundation in Moscow and the Moscow office of the law firm Chadbourne & Parke LLP. He has expertise in anticorruption, chamber and association governance and management, entrepreneurship, women’s economic empowerment, and corporate social responsibility. He is fluent in Russian.

About “What’s Next?”

“What’s Next?” is American Security Project’s weekly, non-partisan podcast series featuring interviews with national security leaders and critical issue experts. Each episode runs about 30 minutes- making it the perfect addition to your DC commute.

Hosted by Maggie Feldman-Piltch and produced by Matthew Wallin, the conversations go beyond the dinner party commentary and offer guests the opportunity to discuss their vision for security in the 21st century, the strategy that vision requires, and what it means for America going forward- in less time than it takes you to get to work. With topics ranging from geo-economics to nuclear security, cultural diplomacy to energy security and asymmetric operations, “What’s Next?” is one of the many ways ASP works to raise the American public’s understanding of complex security issues we face.

On this week’s episode of “What’s Next?” Maggie Feldman-Piltch is joined by Jason Bruder, George F. Kennan Fellow at the Kennan Institute within the Wilson Center and former Chief of Staff to Ambassador David Thorne. This episode focuses on the role of Congress in foreign policy. Maggie and Jason discuss the separation of powers in regards to foreign policy, and where Congress falls into that paradigm. They further cover the connotations for the incoming White House Administration and Congress with respect to foreign policy.

Speaker Bio

Jason Bruder has formally done many things throughout his life. He served as a Foreign Service Officer at the Department of State from 2000 to 2007. He was a staffer on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 2007 – 2014. More recently he was the Chief of Staff for Ambassador David Thorne, the Senior Adviser to Secretary of State Kerry. Currently he is the George F. Kennan Fellow at the Kennan Institute within the Wilson Center. His areas of expertise include: U.S. Foreign Policy, U.S. History, Russia, and Eurasia.

About “What’s Next?”

“What’s Next?” is American Security Project’s weekly, non-partisan podcast series featuring interviews with national security leaders and critical issue experts. Each episode runs about 30 minutes- making it the perfect addition to your DC commute.

Hosted by Maggie Feldman-Piltch and produced by Matthew Wallin, the conversations go beyond the dinner party commentary and offer guests the opportunity to discuss their vision for security in the 21st century, the strategy that vision requires, and what it means for America going forward- in less time than it takes you to get to work. With topics ranging from geo-economics to nuclear security, cultural diplomacy to energy security and asymmetric operations, “What’s Next?” is one of the many ways ASP works to raise the American public’s understanding of complex security issues we face.

On this week’s episode of “What’s Next?” Maggie Feldman-Piltch interviews LTG James Dubik, a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Land Warfare and the Institute for the Study of War, a Professor and Director of teaching at the Georgetown Security Studies program, and author of the recently published Just War Reconsidered.

LTG Dubik postures that following 9/11 the relatively stable post-Cold War period of global affairs came to an end and the world began entrance into a “Pre-Something Period.” This new period of history sees the emergence of new revisionist powers such as China, Russia and Iran – powers that hope to gain benefits from a shake-up of a new international system of security.  In addition, emerging revolutionary powers such as al-Qaeda and ISIS hope to depose states and impose Islamic fundamentalism, while the rogue power of North Korea offers its own unique threat of nuclear escalation. Depending upon the policies and strategy the United States utilizes in response while at this crossroads of emerging threats will determine the new security environment.

General Dubik’s new article, titled “What Will We Call this ‘Pre-Something’ Period” is out on in Army Magazine’s January 2017 issue.

Speaker Bio

Lieutenant General James Dubik, Ph.D., retired from the U.S. Army in July 2008. He is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for the Study of War, a Professor at Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the National Security Advisory Council, and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. During 2012-2013, he was the General Omar N. Bradley Chair in Strategic Leadership sponsored by Penn State Law, Dickinson College, and the U.S. Army War College. He is also a member of the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame and a distinguished member of the U.S. Army 75th Ranger Regiment.

General Dubik’s last job on active duty was as Commanding General of the Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq (MNSTC-I) and the NATO Training Mission-Iraq during the Surge of 2007-2008.

General Dubik has extensive operational experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Bosnia, Haiti, Panama, Honduras, and in many NATO countries. Commissioned as an infantry officer, General Dubik first served with the 82nd Airborne Division, then in the First and Second Ranger Battalions. He has commanded at every level, including Commanding General of the 25th Infantry Division and the 1st U.S. Army Corps.

General Dubik has been quoted in numerous print and on-line media – U.S. and foreign – and is a frequent lecturer and panel member on national security issues. He has appeared on BBC, CNN, Fox News, NPR, Sky News, and Canadian News, among many others.

His most recent publications in Army magazine are Winning Battles, Losing Wars and We Are Our Own Obstacles. While at ISW, General Dubik has authored numerous publications including: Operational Art In Counterinsurgency: An Insider’s View; Choices and Consequences; The U.S. Role in Iraq Beyond 2011; Iraq’s Lessons for Transition In Afghanistan; Afghanistan: It’s Not Over, Accelerating Combat Power in Afghanistan; and Building Security Forces and Ministerial Capacity: Iraq as a Primer.

 

About “What’s Next?”

“What’s Next?” is American Security Project’s weekly, non-partisan podcast series featuring interviews with national security leaders and critical issue experts. Each episode runs about 30 minutes- making it the perfect addition to your DC commute.

Hosted by Maggie Feldman-Piltch and produced by Matthew Wallin, the conversations go beyond the dinner party com...

On this week’s episode of “What’s Next?” Maggie Feldman-Piltch interviews David Pollock, the Kaufman fellow at The Washington Institute. Pollock focuses on the political dynamics of Middle East countries. He is also the director of Project Fikra, a program of research, publication, and network-building designed to generate policy ideas for promoting positive change and countering the spread of extremism in the Middle East.

The Middle East is at the forefront of policy debates.The discussion includes issues of conflict, terror and extremism, oil, geopolitics, religion, and boundaries.  In the wake of regional proxy wars, OPEC negotiations, and migration crisis that pull together global powers, how can the U.S. use its hard and soft power? What are the limits to these tools? Dr. Pollock and Maggie also discuss the role of morality and history in US action in the region, and humanitarian intervention.

Speaker Bio

Dr. Pollock served previously as senior advisor for the Broader Middle East at the State Department, a post he assumed in 2002. In that capacity, he provided policy advice on issues of democracy and reform in the region, with a focus on women’s rights. He also helped launch the department’s $15 million Iraqi Women’s Democracy Initiative and the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, working directly with advocates across the Middle East.

From 1996 to 2001, Dr. Pollock served in several other State Department policy advisory positions covering South Asia and the Middle East, including four years as regional expert on the secretary of state’s Policy Planning Staff. Previously, he was chief of Near East/South Asia/Africa research at the U.S. Information Agency, where he supervised the government’s study of public opinion, elite attitudes, and media content across the three regions. In 1995-1996, he was a scholar-in-residence at The Washington Institute, where he authored the widely read Policy Paper The ‘Arab Street’? Public Opinion in the Arab World.

Dr. Pollock has served as a visiting lecturer at Harvard University and as assistant professor at George Washington University. He has traveled widely in the Middle East and maintains a large network of contacts in government, academia, and business throughout the region.

 

About “What’s Next?”

“What’s Next?” is American Security Project’s weekly, non-partisan podcast series featuring interviews with national security leaders and critical issue experts. Each episode runs about 30 minutes- making it the perfect addition to your DC commute.

Hosted by Maggie Feldman-Piltch and produced by Matthew Wallin, the conversations go beyond the dinner party commentary and offer guests the opportunity to discuss their vision for security in the 21st century, the strategy that vision requires, and what it means for America going forward- in less time than it takes you to get to work. With topics ranging from geo-economics to nuclear security, cultural diplomacy to energy security and asymmetric operations, “What’s Next?” is one of the many ways ASP works to raise the American public’s understanding of complex security issues we face.

On this week’s episode of “What’s Next?” with Maggie Feldman-Piltch, Maggie discusses recent developments in and the future of fusion energy with ASP Director of Studies Andrew Holland.

Fusion energy comes from the binding of two atoms that are forced together. This process emits massive quantities of energy that can potentially be utilized to solve global energy needs, without pollution, sourcing issues, and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the effort to contain this reaction currently makes this process untenable.

The United States has historically been an economic and scientific global leader, and investment in fusion development will ensure that the U.S. continues this trend of leadership. Andrew also stresses that some of the most exciting developments for fusion are coming from the private sector. Venture capitol money is being channeled into fusion energy at the ten year time horizon.

Fusion energy faces a series of challenges. Andrew focuses on how the long term timeline of utilizing fusion energy makes funding an issue. MIT, a leading innovator developing smaller and more cost efficient fusion reactors, faces this funding issue. In addition, the Department of Energy’s Fusion Program is research based, so instead of building a reactor, the D.O.E is focusing on researching plasma (a key component of fusion reactor efficiency). Slowly, funding opportunities are becoming more available, particularly $1 billion dollars in venture capital provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The tone of the new administration is going to decide how much support fusion energy will receive from the government. For Andrew, a political constituency has to be built to support fusion energy at the high levels of government if the U.S. is committed to asserting leadership in this area of energy technology and to minimizing future energy security threats.

 

Speaker Bio

Andrew Holland is the American Security Project’s Director of Studies and Senior Fellow for Energy and Climate. As an expert on energy, climate change, and infrastructure policy, he has worked at the center of debates about how to achieve sustainable energy security and how to effectively address climate change for the last decade.

He served as Legislative Assistant on Energy, Environment, and Infrastructure for United States Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska for three years from 2006 through 2008.  He worked in the US House of Representatives for the House Ways and Means Committee and the Office of Congresswoman Roukema.

He holds a Master’s Degree in International Strategy and Economics from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and a  Bachelor’s Degree in History and Economics from Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

 

About “What’s Next?”

“What’s Next?” is American Security Project’s weekly, non-partisan podcast series featuring interviews with national security leaders and critical issue experts. Each episode runs about 20 minutes- making it the perfect addition to your DC commute.

Hosted by Maggie Feldman-Piltch and produced by Matthew Wallin, the conversations go beyond the dinner party commentary and offer guests the opportunity to discuss their vision for security in the 21st century, the strategy that vision requires, and what it means for America going forward- in less time than it takes you to get to work. With topics ranging from geo-economics to nuclear security, cultural diplomacy to energy security and asymmetric operations, “What’s Next?” is one of the many ways ASP works to raise the American public’s understanding of complex security issues we face.