On Thursday, May 8 at 9:30 a.m. ET, the Atlantic Council will host an #ACFrontPage conversation with the first chief of space operations of the US Space Force, General (ret.) John W. Raymond, on leveraging commercial space capabilities for national security. This event is part of the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s flagship Commanders Series, generously supported by Saab.

As an architect of US military space strategy, Raymond will share insights from his career leading the stand-up of the Space Force and shaping the US response to the emergence of space as a warfighting domain. He will explore the challenges of maintaining space superiority amid growing global competition and the transformative role of commercial innovation in shaping national security, deterrence, and the future of space operations. He will also discuss how the United States, alongside its allies and partners, can leverage the growing commercial space sector to deter conflict.  

Raymond will discuss how he addressed challenges related to maintaining the US military edge as the inaugural chief of space operations as well as how his successors can ensure space remains a domain that contributes to security and prosperity for the United States and likeminded nations. 

This addition of #ACFrontPage will take place in person at the Atlantic Council’s headquarters in Washington, DC. The event will also be livestreamed on Atlantic Council TV, YouTube, Facebook, and X.  To join us in person or virtually, please complete the registration form.   

This event will take place ahead of General Raymond receiving the Atlantic Council’s prestigious Distinguished Military Leadership Award for 2025.

Atlantic Council Front Page is our premier live ideas platform for global leaders to discuss the defining challenges of our time. #ACFrontPage is a high-level event series featuring top newsmakers across multiple digital platforms. Harnessing the convening power and expertise of the Council’s sixteen programs and centers, #ACFrontPage leverages the Council’s capabilities in social media, press, and digital outreach to spotlight the world’s most prominent leaders and the most compelling ideas across sectors and engage new audiences eager for nonpartisan and constructive solutions to current global challenges. This widely promoted program features the Council’s most important guests and content serving as the highlight of our programming.