Maritime Security: Confronting New & Non-Traditional Challenges in the Age of Austerity

On February 13, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) hosted two panels of distinguished speakers on Maritime Security. The Commandant of the Coast Guard also gave a detailed keynote address detailing the status of the Coast Guard. 

Representatives from the US Coast Guard, the US Navy, and the National Security Council discussed the underlying strategy used to develop the 2013 Maritime Security budget.  The panels focused on:

• The Current and Future Strategic Maritime Environment 
• Identifying, Prioritizing, and Coordinating Necessary Maritime Capabilities

Video and audio versions of the panels are available from the CSIS website. Condensed, bulletized notes can be downloaded from www.NotableThinking.com. All notes are in PDF format.

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Declining National Security Spending - Implications for Intelligence

On February 15th, Dr. Mark Lowenthal, former Assistant Director of Central Intelligence for Analysis and Production and Vice Chairman for Evaluation on the National Intelligence Council, spoke at the Johns Hopkins University / Applied Physics Laboratory Rethinking Seminar Series. Dr. Lowenthal, who is now the President and CEO of the Intelligence & Security Academy, discussed current Intelligence Community challenges including:

• The Intelligence budget and how to think about cutting it
• Intel workforce and education 
• Data versus knowledge debates and innovation in Intel 
• Standards for assessing Intelligence 

Condensed, bulletized notes for Dr. Lowenthal's talk are available on the JHU/APL Rethinking Seminar website as well as audio and video versions of the event. Notes on this talk and other recent geo-political events are also available through the www.NotableThinking.com. All notes are in PDF format.

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State of the European Union

 On February 7th, the Heritage Foundation hosted a panel of three Members of the European Parliament. All three are members of the European Conservatives & Reformists Group, a trans-national alliance of like-minded political parties. After providing a short tutorial on the organization of the EU they discussed their views on:

• How well the European Union is managing the problems of Europe
• Complications of and prospects for the current Euro financial crisis
• How the EU and NATO play in the area of defense 
• Advice to President Obama on how to deal with Europe

Video and audio versions of the talk (duration: 1hr:20min) are available from the Heritage Foundation. Condensed, bulletized notes can be downloaded from www.NotableThinking.com

Acquisition Implications of DoD Strategic Guidance & the FY2013 Budge

On Feb 6th CSIS hosted the Acting Under Secretary of Defense, AT&L, Frank Kendall, for a talk on how Acquisition is likely to fare in the current austere budget atmosphere. 

He provided no specifics about individual programs. However, he did indicate that DoD was assuming that there would be no dramatic Sequestration cuts, and that all programs would have to prove their worth early and often in order to continue funding.

An audio version of the talk (duration: 1hr:02min) is available from the CSIS. Condensed,bulletized notes can be downloaded from www.NotableThinking.com

Cross-Strait Relations After Taiwan's 2012 Election

On February 1st, the Heritage Foundation hosted a talk by Kuomintang Vice Chairman John H. Chiang. Mr. Chiang, the grandson of President Chiang Kai-shek, has served in a number of government positions as a civil servant and a legislator, rising to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Premier of the Executive Yuan, and Secretary General of the Kuomintang.

Mr. Chiang discussed the aftermath of President Ma Ying-jeou’s re-election on January 14, 2012. He shared his views on why President Ma won and what the prospects are for continuing development of cross-straits issues.
Video and audio versions of the talk (duration: 1hr:08min) are available from the Heritage Foundation. Condensed, bulletized notes  can be downloaded from www.NotableThinking.com