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The future of US security in space
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Report

Dec 22, 2021

Seizing the advantage: A vision for the next US national defense strategy

By Clementine G. Starling, Tyson Wetzel, Christian Trotti

In this latest installment of the Atlantic Council Strategy Papers series, Forward Defense’s Clementine Starling, Lt Col Tyson Wetzel, and Christian Trotti articulate their vision and recommendations for the next US National Defense Strategy, including clearer prioritization, investments and divestments, reposturing of US forces, a new warfighting concept, and a focus on transnational threats like hybrid warfare and climate change.

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Op-Ed

Oct 1, 2021

Mulder, Starling, and Massa on the future of space strategy

By Atlantic Council

2020-21 Senior US Air Force Fellow Lt Col Christopher Mulder, Forward Defense Deputy Director Clementine Startling, and Assistant Director Mark J. Massa argue for the United States to develop a long-term strategy in space and highlight key recommendations from their space strategy paper.

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In the News

Sep 24, 2021

Mulder and Kang in Air University’s Wild Blue Yonder on defense policy for space

By Atlantic Council

Christopher P. Mulder and Inkoo Kang co-author an article in Air University's Wild Blue Yonder journal on the need for a more serious approach to space in the US national defense strategy.

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Lieutenant Colonel Christopher P. Mulder was the 2020-21 senior US Air Force fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. Prior to his fellowship, Lt Col Mulder served as the 80th Operations Group deputy commander at Sheppard AFB, TX, responsible for assisting the Operations Group commander in leading operations for the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program. In addition, Lt Col Mulder instructed and trained new pilots from fourteen nations, including Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Lt Col Mulder previously served as the 80th Operations Support squadron commander, leading a diverse squadron of 530 personnel that maintained the airfield and navigation equipment, controlled aircraft, produced weather reports, taught aerospace physiology concepts, and also included all student pilots.

Lt Col Mulder graduated from the US Air Force Academy in 2001. He instructed in the T-6 as a first assignment instructor pilot and served as a mission commander, evaluator, and instructor in the F-16. He has held various squadron positions at Moody AFB, Osan AB, Shaw AFB, and Spangdahlem AB. During his time as the current operations flight commander, 20th Operational Support Squadron, he was responsible for executing a multi-million dollar flying hour program, managing the Ready Aircrew and SERE programs, and maintaining Shaw AFB’s F-16 simulator complex. As part of the 480th Fighter Squadron, Lt Col Mulder led missions in both Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation New Dawn in support of national security objectives. He also served as Aide-de-Camp to the United States Air Forces in Europe-Africa commander. He planned and executed more than two hundred strategic events, traveling to twenty-nine countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, entailing high-level meetings, academic and think tank round tables, and industry engagements. Prior to moving to Sheppard AFB, TX, he served on the Joint Staff in various roles.

Lt Col Mulder is a command pilot with more than 2,600 hours in the F-16 and T-6, including 270 combat hours.