On May 28, 2013 the Atlantic Council hosted Vice Admiral Mark I. Fox, future deputy director of US Central Command, for a strategy session about the challenges he will face going into his new role.

The admiral mentioned his excitement for the new role and his desire to get started in a very interesting and, currently, tumultuous region. The discussion also touched upon the crisis in Syria, the Pakistan elections, dealing with Iran, the situation in Bahrain, and the future of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

VADM Fox has flown over 100 combat sorties, logged over 4,900 flight hours and 1,347 arrested landings on fifteen different aircraft carriers. Military awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with two gold stars, and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat 'V'. He has completed executive education programs at the Naval War College, National Defense University, Harvard University, and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

• Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security