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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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

DoD Budget Austerity and the New Strategic Guidance

On January 11th Dr. Lani Kass, former Senior Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke at the Johns Hopkins University / Applied Physics Laboratory Rethinking Seminar Series. Dr. Kass addressed many questions relating to how DoD could plan to do more with less as will apparently be expected given the anticipated budget and the recently released Strategic Guidance which is pivoting the American focus more toward the Pacific region.

Condensed, bulletized notes for Dr. Kass’ 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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2012: Facing Political Changes in the US and China

On January 10, 2012 The Heritage Foundation hosted a two-panel event discussing the fact that both China and the US are facing the possibility or probability of major political transitions this year.  The panelists discussed the impact that China might have on the US election campaigns and the impact that the US may have on the anticipated Chinese succession issues.  Video and audio versions (duration 2hr:38min) of the panels are available from the Heritage Foundation.  Condensed, bulletized notes can be downloaded from www.NotableThinking.com  

PANEL 1 – US ROLE IN THE 2012 CHINESE POLITICAL TRANSITION Bruce Dickson, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University Phil Saunders, Director, Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs, Institute for National Strategic Studies Derek Scissors, Research Fellow, Asian Studies Center, The Heritage Foundation Dean Cheng, Research Fellow, Asian Studies Center, The Heritage Foundation (Moderator) PANEL 2 – THE PRC’S ROLE IN THE 2012 AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION  Dan Blumenthal, Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute  Philip Levy, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University Jeremie Waterman, Executive Director for Greater China, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Michael Franc, Vice President, Government Studies, The Heritage Foundation (Moderator)

Current Asia-Pacific Security Situation & Taiwan

Dr. Nien-Dzu (Andrew) Yang Deputy Minister for Policy, Taiwan Ministry of National Defense spoke at the Center for Strategic & International Studies on Nov 9, 2011.  Video & Audio versions are available. 

Dr. Yang discussed several issues including:

• Relations between the US and Taiwan 
• Taiwan’s Future Security Challenges 
• Taiwan’s Future Defense Needs 
• Other Areas of Future Concern for Taiwan 
• Question & Answer Session topics included: 
• South China Sea concerns 
• Cross-strait Military Confidence Building Measures 
• US Arms Sales to Taiwan 
• Taiwan’s Defense Budget

DOWNLOAD  the Bulletized Notes enhanced with relevant hyperlinks in a PDF file. (Download the free PDF Reader.)