About the series

The Commanders Series, generously supported by Saab, is the Atlantic Council’s flagship speakers’ forum for senior military and defense leaders. The series provides a platform to discuss current strategic issues with an impressive audience drawn from across Washington’s policy community, including think tanks, media, industry, embassies, and the US government.

In 2022, the Atlantic Council hosted Chief of Naval Operation Admiral Mike Gilday, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, and Commander of US Space Command General James H. Dickenson.

Upcoming and past events

Commanders Series Highlights

Archive of Commanders series Alumnus

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

  • Former Chief of Staff of the US Army General Mark Milley (Before General Milley was confirmed as the 20th Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff)
  • Former Commander of US Pacific Command (Now US Indo-Pacific Command) Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr.

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

  • Former French Chief of Defense General Jean-Louis Georgelin
  • Former Commander, US Pacific Command Admiral Timothy Keating
  • Former Chief of Staff of the US Army General George W. Casey, Jr.
  • Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, NATO and former Commander, US European Command General John Craddock

2008

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Forward Defense, housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, shapes the debate around the greatest military challenges facing the United States and its allies, and creates forward-looking assessments of the trends, technologies, and concepts that will define the future of warfare.