2024 Security Cooperation Conference: Building Lasting Partnerships: What Have We Learned?
The third annual Security Cooperation (SC) Conference, organized by the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU), aims to address the pressing need to deepen alliances and partnerships to support better security cooperation outcomes. The 2024 SC Conference will focus on working effectively and sustainably with allies and partners.
Building on discussions of challenges and complexities in security cooperation from the past two annual conferences, the 2024 SC Conference will showcase the utility of informing practice with evidence-based knowledge, and vice versa. The conference will last from October 28 to 30, with a preconference reception on the evening of October 27. The 2024 SC Conference aims to bring together professionals who conduct research informing security cooperation practice and those engaged in the reflective practice of Security Cooperation. These professionals hail from various sectors, such as government, military, and private industry, to address how to work more effectively and sustainably with allies and partners. The audience includes implementers, planners, policymakers, and scholars who contribute to building lasting partnerships and collaborating with allies and partners to address global security challenges.
Panel Agenda
October 27th, 2024 (5:00–7:00 p.m.)
Early Registration & Check-In
Welcome Reception and Celebration of DSCU’s Five Year Anniversary
October 28th, 2024
Registration & Check-In (7:30–8:30 a.m.)
Welcome Orientation (8:30–8:50 a.m.)
Opening Ceremony & Keynote Address (9:00–10:00 a.m.)
Break (10:00–10:30 a.m.)
Session 1: Partnership Strategies (10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m.)
Abstract: Often when the United States competes with the PRC to form, deepen, or maintain security partnerships around the world, it struggles with understanding the relative sway that each partner’s short, medium, and long term interests—immediate political needs of key officials, survival calculations of regimes as a whole, and geopolitical interests that outlast regimes—will have in any given partnership decision. This panel of academics, practitioners, and policymakers examines partner interests at these different levels of analyses to provide insights into how combine to shape partner’s and prospective partner’s security cooperation choices.
- U.S. and PRC Competition for Security Partnerships in the Pacific Islands: Testing the Impact of Feared Domestic Unrest
- Riding the Waves of Change: U.S. and Chinese Security Cooperation in Latin America During the Pink Tide and Blue Wave
- The Value of Security Cooperation with Central Asia
- Balancing and Band-wagoning in Great Power Competition: Balancing with (or Against) the United States?
Abstract: Security cooperation often aims to influence the behavior of partner nations. In practice, some partners align their behavior with U.S. goals, others do their best but lack political will and/or capacity, and others do not see their interests reflected and reject U.S. expertise and approaches. This panel seeks to identify a few key root causes that help to understand why. By exploring the strategic context, partner institutions, the role of Congress and the ways that different programs engage a partner, this panel will draw out implications for when security cooperation is most likely to result in influence.
- Security Cooperation, Influence, and Strategic Competition
- Host Country Political Institutions and Openings for Influence
- The Role of Congress in Shaping Security Partnerships and Leveraging Influence
- Influence Through Empowerment: Leveraging International Education to Build Communities of Practice
- Examining the Promise of Influence
Abstract: This panel will examine the value proposition of U.S. security cooperation in a contested international security environment that includes such competitors as China and Russia. These competitors are providing various forms of security cooperation across the globe, frequently at odds with U.S. and partner nation interests. The panel will assess the U.S.’s value proposition for security cooperation, the value proposition of U.S. competitors, and the implications for implementers on the ground.
- The Hard Power of Security Cooperation
Abstract: In an era of accelerated competition and rising threats, integrated deterrence has become crucial for maintaining international security. This panel explores the ambitious goals of integrated deterrence and the practical steps required to achieve it. Experts from a diverse range of fields will discuss multi-domain coordination, the role of emerging technologies, and fostering international partnerships. The panel will also address the challenges of integrating conventional and unconventional deterrence strategies, ensuring readiness, and sustaining long-term commitment among allied nations.
- Security Cooperation’s Role in Integrating Deterrence and Campaigning in Strategic Competition
- Managing Security Cooperation to Reduce the Risk of Adversary Aggression
- Maritime Security in the Gulf of Oman: Understanding Oman’s Foreign Policy Dilemmas in Dealing with Iran
- Integrated Deterrence and Security Cooperation: Establishing the Foundations for Success
- More Interdependent but Stronger: Making European Conventional Deterrence Work with France and the United Kingdom
Lunch (11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m.)
Session 2: Partnership Dynamics (1:00–2:15 p.m.)
Abstract: This panel brings together practitioners and policymakers to examine how U.S. security cooperation efforts align (or not) to U.S. policy priorities and policymaker expectations. Additionally, as the “partner gets a vote,” it will also examine the role of partner policy objectives and will, including an examination of security cooperation in Montenegro and North Macedonia.
- Primacy of Policy: Achieving Security Cooperation/Security Assistance Unity of Effort
- A Mountain of Problems: Examining the Montenegro Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Program
- Policymaker Expectations of Security Cooperation Programmatic Support
- A Partner View of the Value of Security Cooperation Shared Objectives
Abstract: Responding to the dynamic international security landscape, security cooperation thinkers and practitioners are developing, implementing, and scaling new ideas, services, processes, and business models to develop ally and partner capabilities to respond to shared security challenges. The panel will address the influence of public-private partnership on organizational innovation in defense policy; innovative ways to improve security cooperation planning, processes, and activities; and incorporating non-traditional or commercial military solutions.
- Intellectual Interoperability for the United States and Its Allies and Partners
- Leveraging Commercial Technologies for Allies and Partners
- Deciding the Transformation of Defense: Public Private Partnerships and Organizational Learning
- Leveraging Innovation and Collaboration as “Key Enablers” to Advance U.S. Bilateral Interests in the Gulf Region: Lessons from the USAF
- Innovating Security Cooperation for Great Power Competition: A Grassroots Effort to Leverage the U.S. Innovation Ecosystem to Build Capabilities with Partners and Allies
Abstract: The twenty-first century environment requires the Security Cooperation enterprise to think creatively about how to address novel security challenges and shore up alliances and relationships in key areas of responsibility. This panel considers the opportunities and challenges of this imperative. It will consider the logic of employing security assistance to signal to prospective adversaries and competitors, the dilemmas of reconciling conflicting priorities with our partners, and the promise of adapting security cooperation instruments to new policy areas.
- Using “Combined Security Cooperation Partnering” to Counter China in the Pacific
- Deepening Cooperation and Coordination: Agenda for India-US Defense and Security Partnership
- Understanding the Endurance of a Troubled Alliance: U.S.-Turkish Security Cooperation and Foreign Military Training Programs in Turbulent Times
- Security Cooperation Best Practices and Lessons Learned from the Field (USAFRICOM; USSOUTHCOM)
- Sustained Engagement: Two Decades of Partnership Developing the Intelligence Enterprise in Kenya
Abstract: This panel will investigate how to create sustainable partnerships through attention to civil-military relations. Designed for security cooperation practitioners, it addresses dilemmas, tradeoffs, and factors essential for diagnosing and addressing challenges to effective civil-military relations in partner states. Panel papers include topics such as the effects of civil-military engagements in Tunisia, civil-military coordination in security cooperation, the importance of civil-military coordination in mitigating human insecurity, security and civil society interaction, and climate-related emergencies.
- Civil-Military Relations and Security Cooperation
- Toward Sustainable Security: The Vital Role of Civil-Military Coordination in Mitigating Human Insecurity
- U.S. Security Cooperation and Civil-Military Relations in Tunisia
- The Interaction of Security and Civil Society Assistance
- Project on Civil-Military Cooperation in Climate Related Emergencies
Break (2:15–2:45 p.m.)
Session 3: Industry Partnerships (2:45–4:00 p.m.)
Abstract: In light of today’s era of great power competition, security cooperation is evolving, and industrial base cooperation is becoming essential to building lasting partnerships. This panel will explore the role of governments in fostering and enabling collaboration, touch on the achievements and limitations of existing bilateral and multilateral industrial base cooperation frameworks, and explore opportunities for partners to rethink the current paradigms of production, development, and sustainment.
- Multilateral Public-Private Cooperation: A Prerequisite of Successful Military Operations in the Nordics
- Institutional Evolution of NATO in Joint Acquisition over the First Quarter of the Twenty-First Century: Intergovernmental Agencies and the European Industrial Base and Industry
- Enhancing India’s Security Cooperation: Human Capital and Options for U.S. Engagement
- A Multilateral Approach to Logistics and Security Cooperation
Abstract: TBC
- A “Build Allied” Approach to Increase Industrial Base Capacity
- Defense Industry Offsets: The President’s Hands on Policy
- Who Values “Value Arms” and Why? Defining Value Arms and Their Market
- Beyond Co-Development and Co-Production to Co-Sustainment
Abstract: Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Middle East conflicts and tensions in East Asia have led the U.S. and partners and allies to seek to increase significantly production of key defense capabilities. Although every country has specific national security, economic, political and industrial imperatives to satisfy, these governments are realizing they must work more flexibly to enhance a more resilient and productive global defense industrial base. Industry must do its part in this more flexible paradigm to increase “magazine depth” very quickly to address the depletion of stocks as well as innovate new capability solutions. Using the Asia-Pacific region as the case study, panelists from U.S. and allied governments and industry will present perspectives on how they are adapting to address capability gaps and to discuss how to work together to fill them.
- Global “Competimates”: Capability Creation Through Industrial Partnerships
- The Global Defense Industrial Base: Addressing Global Security Cooperation Requirements
- Procuring Together: Our Industry in the Global Defense Industrial Base
- Reciprocal Procurement: Securing Supply Chain Partners
- FMS versus DCS as an Instrument of Security Cooperation: Real Difference or Same Difference?
Abstract: Balancing the objective to build strong alliances and partnerships with the requirement to protect sensitive defense technologies is complex. Moreover, driving greater efficiency in arms transfers has drawn a great deal of attention. With the burgeoning demand for U.S. weapons systems, the U.S. government’s system of systems to support arms transfers is under increasing pressure to perform. Panelists will examine those systems from various stakeholder perspectives and explore options to improve the timeliness and effectiveness of U.S. arms transfers.
- Legislative and Executive Bargaining Over Military Exports: Civil-Military Relations and Arms Sales
- Defense Industrial Strategy for the Future of Conflict
- Understanding Tech Security and Foreign Disclosure
- Navigating Challenges and Maximizing Impact: Perspectives from an International Consortium
- Effects of Third-Party Transfers on Commercial Entities
Break (4:00–4:30 p.m.)
Session 4: Learning Together (4:30–5:45 p.m.)
4A: Empowering Partners Through Professional Military EducationAbstract: This panel will unpack the role of professional military education (PME) in building lasting partnerships, from how U.S. PME institutions prepare officers to engage in security cooperation activities to the conditions under which partners use education to develop capabilities. The panel situates this knowledge chain in the larger international PME network in which U.S. allies, partners, and competitors operate. By understanding how this knowledge chain functions, the security cooperation workforce will be better positioned to develop meaningful partnerships based on PME activities.
- Knowledge Flows: The Role of Professional Military Education in Capacity Building with U.S. Security Cooperation Partners
- The Evolving Network of International Professional Military Education
- Reading Thucydides in Abu Dhabi: A Case Study of the UAE National Defense College
- The Contribution of Informal PME to a Comprehensive PME Strategy: The Case of Australia
- Security Cooperation in Action: The Impact of International Military Officers at CGSC
Abstract: Understanding the factors that enable successful institutional capacity building (ICB) efforts is essential for building lasting partnerships. Panelists will discuss their experience and research related to the dynamics and challenges that come with partner-driven requirements and U.S.-identified objectives in developing and executing a successful ICB efforts. Discussion will include lessons learned, common challenges, and approaches to enable ICB success.
- Navigating Partner Dynamics for Successful Institutional Development
- Impact of the Global Defense Reform Program on Partner Institutional Capacity
- The Second Front: Lessons Learned from Institutional Capacity Building in Ukraine
- Partner Role in Effective Institutional Capacity Building
Abstract: Armed conflict, even that intended to protect civilians, can result in civilian harm. National, regional, and international actors recognize the importance of mitigating risks to civilians and civilian objects before, during, and after operations. U.S. allies and partners are undertaking innovative approaches to complex civilian protection challenges in urban, asymmetric, and large-scale combat operations. Panelists will provide insights reflected in doctrine, policies, training, and operational planning and execution, as well as in U.S. military approaches to support civilian harm mitigation efforts in security cooperation.
- Kenyan Defense Forces Approach to Civilian Protection
- Civilian Protection from a Transregional Perspective
- Civilian Protection in Large-Scale Combat Operations: Reflections from Ukraine
- Battle of Marawi: Challenges and Good Practices on Civilian Protection
- Working with Partners on Civilian Harm Mitigation
Abstract: This panel gathers diverse international security scholars of cross-regional security cooperation among U.S. allies and partners in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific. Panelists will analyze institutionalization of current initiatives, explore “networked minilateralism” in deterrence coordination and strategic messaging, examine the consolidation of liberal democratic norms as a strategic objective, examine NATO’s approach to Indo-Pacific partners, and discuss the emergence of joint military exercises as a tool for cross-regional security cooperation.
- Future-Proofing U.S. Promotion of Cross-Regional Security Cooperation
- How to Maximize “Networked Minilateralism”: Challenges and Opportunities
- NATO’s Indo-Pacific Partners: The Strategic Value of a Cross-Regional Values-Based Community
- Consolidating NATO’s Indo-Pacific Partnerships
- Joint Military Exercises and Cross-Regional Security Cooperation
October 29th, 2024
Session 5: Regional Realities (8:30–9:45 a.m.)
Abstract: TBC
- Course Corrections Needed: Lessons from U.S. Engagements and Security Cooperation in Indonesia
- Navigational Aids for a Promising Future: Lessons from U.S. Engagements and Security Cooperation in Malaysia
- Journeys in a New Realm: Future U.S. Engagements on Cyber and Artificial Intelligence in Southeast Asia
- Building a Team of Teams for Strategic Competition in the Western Pacific
- Enhancing Security Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific: Exploring the Informal Dynamics of the Quad
Abstract: With the proliferation of crises in the Middle East–North Africa (MENA) region and given divergences in interests and allegiances, the U.S. security cooperation enterprise increasingly must balance the strategic objective of providing long-term military assistance to grow indigenous capabilities with supporting partners’ immediate tactical requirements to counter urgent threats. Panelists will discuss the MENA security cooperation environment, looking at U.S. Central Command priorities; Israeli and Jordanian perspectives; and the impacts of politics, security, and information on regional security cooperation dynamics.
- U.S. Central Command’s Operational Approach to Security Cooperation
- Understanding the Partner: Tripartite Security Collaboration Between Jordan, the United States, and Israel
- Security Cooperation in the Post-Gaza War Middle Eastern Strategic Reality: An Israeli Perspective
- Lessons from United States–Gulf Missile Defense Cooperation
- Disinformation and Security in the Middle East
Abstract: Partnerships with countries across Africa are strategically important, and collaboration is ridden with challenges and opportunities. Security cooperation is a vital tool for addressing security threats such as terrorism, violent extremism, climate change, and global organized crime. However, partnerships require a keen understanding of the context to engage effectively and sustainably when considering demographic, social, political, and governance factors. Panelists will share insights on various aspects of cooperating with African partners on security issues and explore the inherent conflict between influence expansion and diversification of critical supply chains on the one hand and mutually beneficial partnerships on the other.
- U.S. Engagement in Southern Africa
- Africa as a Challenging Security Cooperation Partner
- Understanding Great Power Security Cooperation in Africa
- How Russia Uses Disinformation to Undermine Security Cooperation in Africa
- Unpacking the Complexities in U.S.-Nigerian Security Cooperation towards Security Provisioning: Local Dynamics, Contexts, and Realities
Abstract: The aid provided to Ukraine, particularly since February 2022, has been qualitatively and quantitatively different from that provided to partner states in previous conflicts. While Ukraine has managed some impressive accomplishments, in part by leveraging that aid, in other ways outcomes have not met expectations. This panel will consider the successes, challenges, and implications for the future of the various forms of assistance provided to Ukraine in its self-defense against Russia.
- Ukrainian Perspectives on Western Security Assistance
- Capability Development for Forces in Crisis and Conflict
Break (9:45–10:15 a.m.)
Session 6: Functional Approaches (10:15–11:30 a.m.)
Abstract: This panel will investigate how the crises in Ukraine and Israel were met by the security cooperation enterprise and develop a potential analytical framework for addressing the security cooperation response to future crises. Discussions will address the challenges, tradeoffs, and factors essential for crafting properly tailored responses to partner demands in a crisis. Panelists will examine this framework and propose refinements and improvements.
- The Perils of Crisis Security Cooperation as a Template
Abstract: Global health engagement (GHE) provides a policy and operational concept enabling the strategic application of the full spectrum of DOD health and medical activities for security cooperation objectives. Panelists will discuss how GHE enhances outcomes for DOD, including how global health security–driven planning enables sovereignty and counters mis- and dis-information, how GHE supports integrated deterrence and medical requirements for irregular warfare, and how GHE expands the aperture of support to partnership-related biodefense goals beyond traditional programs.
- DOD Global Health Engagement: DOD Policy for Health and Medical Engagement with Partners
- Biodefense Council: Addressing Reforms from the Biodefense Posture Review
- Allies and Partners in Biodefense
- Health and Medical Considerations in Irregular Warfare
- The Future of DOD Global Health Engagement: Best Practices for Implementation
Abstract: TBC
- Littoral States and Strategic Maritime Corridors in an Era of Geopolitical Rivalry: Regional Responses to the Red Sea “Scramble”
- Climate Change and Maritime Security: Challenges and Prospects for Cooperation for the Quad
- Building U.S.-Philippine Defense Security Cooperation in an Era of Maritime Coercion
- Cohesive Security Assistance: Donating, Sustaining, and Equipping Maritime Assets Involved in Multinational Operations
- Philippine Rise: Securing a Strategic Position in the Pacific for Maritime Security and Resource Exploration
Abstract: TBC
- The Existing Strengths and Challenges in the Security Cooperation Enterprise and How They Apply to the DOD Space Enterprise
- United States–Kosovo Mutual Defense Cooperation: Building Stability and Security in the Western Balkans
- Cyber Security Cooperation
- Cyber Security Needs and Capacities from the Kenyan Perspective
Lunch (11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.)
Session 7: Measure Twice, Cut Once (1:00–2:15 p.m.)
Abstract: This panel discussion will help attendees better understand the perspectives of allies and partners in fostering interoperability, developing cultural awareness, managing partnerships, and cooperating and collaborating. The panel will also focus on adopting best practices and lessons learned from the field. Panelists will examine how the U.S. National Strategy and the U.S. National Defense Strategy may need to catch up to stringent Congressional oversight requirements, sometimes leading to disconnects with U.S. partners and potentially driving them toward U.S. adversaries.
- Managing Long-Term Collaboration with the EU Given Polish and German Asymmetric Threat Perceptions
- Managing Allied Partnerships
- Security Cooperation in the High North
- Security Cooperation and Civilian Protection: Lessons Learned from the Field
- Bridging Material and Non-Material to Promote Interoperability
Abstract: An emphasis on performance has resulted in a “movement,” with many practitioners and scholars seeking to determine the best way to measure and understand agency and program performance. Panelists will provide an overview of the academic literature to determine effective ways to measure and understand the performance, incorporate insights from practitioners who carry out AM&E, and offer approaches that might make better sense. The panel will explore questions such as, what does performance mean relative to security cooperation? How do AM&E systems contribute to performance? What is the role of metrics? Why is it important to think of performance management systems as systems of information processing?
- Performance Management: What Is It and What Is Its Appeal?
- Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks for International Security Cooperation Programs: Are We Doing It Right?
- Complementing the Strategic Security Cooperation Initiative Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation Model: A Partner-Centric Approach
- Choosing the Right Partners: Measures of Distance and the Success of Security Force Assistance
Abstract: TBC
- Absorptive Capacity of African Military Forces: An Assessment Framework
- A Framework to Study Joint Military Exercise Networks and Dynamics
- Applying Stakeholder Ecosystem Mapping and Assessment to Advance Security Goals and Outcomes
- Partner Nation Dynamics, Policy Priorities, and Interagency Perspectives: GDRP Project Selection and Design
- Back to the Future in Security Cooperation: A Desired Steady State, Arc of Engagement, and Metrics as a GPS
Abstract: Innovation in U.S. security cooperation is key to building lasting partnerships, especially among non-NATO countries. This panel dives into the strategic, political, and cultural landscapes of non-NATO partners to enhance cooperation and tackle global security challenges with fresh, out-of-the-box solutions. Case studies run the gamut, from Djibouti, Uganda, and Israel to Latin America, Somalia, and Saudi Arabia.
- Understanding the Partner from a SCO to a Country Program Director to a Logistics Supply Specialist: Case Studies of Djibouti, Somalia, Cote d’Ivoire, Saudi Arabia, and Israel
- Security Cooperation on the African Continent: A Case Study of Uganda
- Understanding the Role of Political and Strategic Culture in Forging or Impending Security Cooperation: How Non-EU and Non-NATO Partners Perceive Defense and Security Cooperation with the United States
- Security Cooperation Structures for Partner Understanding and Engagement: A Reflection from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- The Militarization of Public Security in Latin America: Challenges and Obstacles to U.S. Security Cooperation
Break (2:15–2:45 p.m.)
Session 8: Execution Considerations (2:45–4:00 p.m.)
Abstract: Although security cooperation as traditionally conceived involves two states, the United States is increasingly working with non-state actors to achieve shared goals even while continuing to partner with other states. This panel features general and case-specific work on the effectiveness of U.S. security cooperation with states and non-state partners in Asia, including in Iraq, Syria, Northeast India, Bangladesh, and the Western Pacific. Panelists seek to understand what explains success and failure in these diverse collaborations.
- Navigating Complex Terrains: Fostering Security Cooperation Amid Non-State Actor Dynamics in Myanmar and Northeast India
- The Causes and Consequences of Contingency Access
- Clan, Charisma, and Party Politics: Understanding the Iraqi Peshmerga as a Fighting Force and U.S. Security Partner
- United States Security Assistance to Nonstate Actors: Trends, Effectiveness, and Policy Implications
- Security Cooperation with State, Non-State, and Hybrid Actors in Syria and Iraq: Explaining Variance Between Success and Failure
Abstract: As great power competition increases, the United States and many of its allies and partners are shifting security force assistance (SFA) efforts to improving conventional warfighting capabilities in strategically important regions. This panel illustrates these changes by assessing the features and challenges of SFA in South America, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Panelists will analyze the politics, growing competitive arena, and impediments to successful delivery and absorption of SFA; the value and role of interoperability, gender, and WPS; and the impact of colonial heritage on military forces.
- Security Cooperation with Ukraine (2014–2022): Lessons Learned and Implications for Taiwan
- Shared Values? Women, Peace, and Security in Security Cooperation
- The Changing Face of Security Assistance in Europe, Africa, and Asia
- The Partner’s Partner: Exploring Proxy Security Cooperation Efforts
- Reforming Post-Colonial African Militaries: Do International Interventions Work?
Abstract: Security cooperation implementers play the key role in building strong relationships between the United States and its allies and partners and ensuring progress in meeting mutual strategic objectives. This panel is designed to empower implementers by providing new perspectives on assessing cultural competencies and developing experiential knowledge. Panelists will also provide insights into the application of security assistance funding the ways in which security cooperation can address the evolving challenge posed by China’s Belt and Road initiative. Finally, they will provide implementers with insight into the Women, Peace and Security initiative and how it can enhance security cooperation outcomes.
- Assessing Personnel Readiness for Working Effectively with Partners: Reliability and Validity of a Cognitive Interview Approach
- Enabling Knowledge and Experience of Security Cooperation Stakeholders
- Financial Diplomacy and Cultural Intelligence: A Pathway to Building Lasting Partnerships
- Strengthening Security Assistance: Return to U.S. Interests
- Women, Peace, and Security Cooperation: From “So What?” to “Now What?”
Abstract: States providing security cooperation (patrons) see themselves as the principal and the recipient (partner) state as their agent. However, partners can flip these principal-agent roles. This panel explores the complexity of the patron-partner relationship. Panelists will address the conditions that flip the traditional relationship, the consequences of non-unitary partners, and the role of conditionality.
- Duck and Cover: How Local Partners Manage American Patrons
- Understanding Iraqi Security Partnerships, 2017–2024
- Integrating Military Diplomacy and Security Incentives in Negotiation Processes of Security Partners: A Case Study Analysis of Afghanistan
Break (4:00–4:30 p.m.)
Session 9: Implementation Focus (4:30–5:45 p.m.)
Abstract: A strategic advisor is essential to the conduct of institutional capacity building, and a successful strategic advisor provides more than just expertise. Understanding the qualities of successful advisors is essential to the selection and development of personnel that support the Department of Defense's security cooperation and institutional capacity building objectives, and is just as essential for building lasting partnerships. Discussion will include lessons learned, common challenges, and approaches to enable advisor success.
- Anatomy of a Security Cooperation Advisor: Lessons Applied from the Ministry of Defense Advisor Program
- How to Work with Partners on Building Effective National Security Strategies
- Exploring the Human Element of Cyber and Technology Security Cooperation
- The Future of Building Institutional Capacity: Partnership and Readiness
- Finding the Reform Agents
Abstract: Achieving the promise of security force assistance requires managing a complex environment, where institutional entities, informal stakeholders, and military operators are interdependent, resulting in potentially disruptive behavior at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Panelists will emphasize the importance of the understanding local context and the human factor, security partnership models, promoting prevention measures, and supporting initiatives to promote integrity and good governance in the security sector.
- Tools for Promoting Rule of Law and Good Governance in Crisis Zones
- Understanding the Local Context of a Mission as a Key Enabler to Providing Advisory and Capacity Building Support
- Contracted Contributions to the Security Force Assistance Enterprises
- From Episodic Engagements to Persistent Partnerships: Enhancing Stability Through Comprehensive Security Cooperation
- Advisors in Conflict
Abstract: At the individual and institutional levels, traditional professional military education (PME) and complementary DoD-funded training and education programs build competencies that contribute to career advancement and promote partner-led institutional reform and institutional capacity building efforts. But institutional mismatch, resource scarcity, and uncoordinated expectations sometimes make success difficult. Panelists will examine how the United States and partners work to realize a return on their considerable investments in PME, including through cultivating alumni networks of practice after graduation.
- Investment in International Military Alumni: Challenges and Outcomes
- The U.S. International Military Education Training Program and Its Impacts on the Career Advancement of West African Graduates
- Foreign Military Training and Socialization: An Examination of Human Capital and Norm Transmission Between Allies
- Successes in Institutional Capacity Building: The Case of U.S. Security Cooperation in Kosovo
- Leveraging International Military Alumni: A Future Vision
Abstract: Addressing security challenges in a timely manner, and with the right funding mechanisms and resources, often requires complex coordination across U.S. implementing agencies. This is especially true when dealing with hybrid, irregular, or gray-zone threats. Panelists will discuss cases where poor collaboration hampered security cooperation efforts, or where funding mechanisms or authorities prevented a timely response, as well as a tool that offers a more holistic, partner-centric approach to coordination, centered on the political and economic drivers of insecurity.
- Interagency Coordination and Security Cooperation Informed by Civilian Engagement Security Strategies of Bad Actors: Al-Qaeda Affiliate JNIM in the Sahel
- Country Security Sector Assistance Assessments: Toward a Common Approach
- The State Partnership Program: Evolving Authorities and Funding to Meet Emerging Global Challenges
- Synergizing Security Cooperation with Other U.S. Government Activities to Strengthen Overall Strategy
October 30th, 2024
Fireside Chat on Security Cooperation Policy (9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.)
Posters on Security Cooperation Practice (10:00–11:30 a.m.)
Conference Debrief (Plenary) (11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.)
Closing Ceremony (Plenary) (12:00 p.m.–12:30 p.m.)
Hosted Lunch (12:30–1:30 p.m.) SC Enterprise Session & Researcher Session (1:30–4:30 p.m.)
Event Details
The 2024 SC Conference will take place in Washington, DC, from 27 to 30 October, 2024. The conference will take place in-person only. On October 28 and 29, panels will be organized into nine sessions of four concurrent panels each. On October 30, the conference will include security cooperation enterprise and researcher-specific roundtables and workshops.
Attire for the conference for U.S. military members is working uniform/Class Bs (or equivalent). Foreign military members may wear the working uniform or business attire. All others are asked to wear business attire.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Conference team: dsca.ncr.dscu.mbx.conference@mail.mil. dsca.ncr.dscu.mbx.conference@mail.mil.
Registration for the 2024 Security Cooperation Conference is now closed. Please sign up here if you would like to receive a copy of the conference report.
