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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 2021, the Atlantic Council hosted then-Acting Secretary of the US Army Dr. John E. Whitley, Chief of Staff of the US Army General James C. McConville, Commander of US European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Tod D. Wolters, Chief of Staff of the US Air Force General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., and then-Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John E. Hyten.

Upcoming & recent events

Public Event Tue, May 31, 2022 • 1:30 pm EDT

A conversation with Secretary Christine Wormuth on the Army’s role in the National Defense Strategy

US Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth discusses the Army’s role in meeting the priorities laid out in the forthcoming National Defense Strategy as a part of Forward Defense’s Commanders Series.
China Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies
Photo: US Army Flickr
Online Event Wed, March 9, 2022 • 12:00 pm EST

Navigating the new strategic realities of space: A conversation with commander of US Space Command General James H. Dickinson

The commander of US Space Command discusses the role of the US military in ensuring space security and stability as part of Forward Defense’s Commanders Series.
Space Space Security United States and Canada
Online Event Fri, September 17, 2021 • 2:15 pm EDT

Toward integrated deterrence: A conversation with vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen John E. Hyten, USAF

Vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen John E. Hyten, USAF discusses the way forward for US defense and deterrence as part of Forward Defense’s Commanders Series.
China Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies
Photo: U.S. Air Force
Online Event Thu, July 1, 2021 • 7:30 pm EDT

Fight and flight in modern air warfare: A conversation with Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen Charles Q. Brown, Jr.

US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen Charles Q. Brown, Jr. discusses the Department’s priorities in preparing for twenty-first century warfare as a part of Forward Defense’s Commanders Series.
Cybersecurity Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies
Online Event Wed, June 9, 2021 • 6:15 pm EDT

Competition and deterrence in Europe: A conversation with General Tod D. Wolters, USEUCOM Commander and SACEUR

Ahead of the NATO Summit, General Wolters, Commander of US European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, discusses NATO’s new approach to everyday competition and how the United States can prevail in twenty-first century warfare.
Crisis Management Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia NATO
Online Event Mon, May 10, 2021 • 1:00 pm EDT

Advancing Army priorities for the future of warfare: A conversation with the Acting Secretary and the Chief of Staff of the Army

Acting Secretary of the Army HON John E. Whitley and Chief of Staff of the Army GEN James C. McConville discuss the US Army’s priorities and posture in light of emerging security threats and a potentially difficult budget as a part of Forward Defense’s Commanders Series events.
Defense Policy Defense Technologies Missile Defense National Security
Photo: US Army Flickr

Distinguished speakers we’ve hosted

Toward integrated deterrence: A conversation with Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen John E. Hyten, USAF

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen John E. Hyten, USAF discusses the way forward for US defense and deterrence as part of Forward Defense’s Commanders Series.

Competition and deterrence in Europe: A conversation with USEUCOM Commander and SACEUR Gen Tod D. Wolters, USAF

Ahead of the NATO Summit, General Wolters, Commander of US European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, discusses NATO’s new approach to everyday competition and how the United States can prevail in twenty-first century warfare with Forward Defense Deputy Director Clementine G. Starling.

The future Army in great-power competition: A conversation with Army Chief of Staff James McConville

In a renewed era of great-power competition, Army Chief of Staff James C. McConville joins the Atlantic Council’s Commanders Series to discusses how the Army is preparing itself for the future of geostrategic competition and military conflict.

The future of the Army in great-power competition: A conversation with SECARMY Mark Esper

In this installment of the Commanders Series, Secretary of the Army Mark Esper addresses the modernization priorities of the US Army. He discusses how the Army sees its role in a new era of great-power competition, reviewing how great-power rivals pose a challenge to the Army’s current posture in Europe and Asia.

US military strategy in the era of great-power competition: A conversation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Drawing on more than four decades of distinguished service in the US Marine Corps, General Joseph F. Dunford joins the Atlantic Council’s Commanders Series to discuss the US military priorities of today and into the 2020s. In this conversation moderated by CNN’s Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr, General Dunford focuses on challenges to US military superiority; US military approaches to combating long-term threats; and maintaining dominance and lethality in all domains (air, sea, land, space, and cyber).

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Past Commanders Series events

Event Recap

May 31, 2022

Secretary Christine Wormuth on how the US Army will support Biden’s forthcoming National Defense Strategy

By Juliette Renaut

Secretary Wormuth discusses the Army’s role in implementing the Biden administration’s strategic priorities, particularly amid an intensifying war in Ukraine and a sustained China threat in the Indo-Pacific theater.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies
Public Event Tue, May 31, 2022 • 1:30 pm ET

A conversation with Secretary Christine Wormuth on the Army’s role in the National Defense Strategy
China Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Event Recap

Mar 9, 2022

General Dickinson describes how USSPACECOM safeguards US interests in space

By Madison Littlepage

The Commander of US Space Command General James H. Dickinson explains how the United States prepares for and responds to security threats in space as part of Forward Defense’s Commanders Series.

Defense Industry Missile Defense
Online Event Wed, March 9, 2022 • 12:00 pm ET

Navigating the new strategic realities of space: A conversation with commander of US Space Command General James H. Dickinson
Space Space Security United States and Canada
Online Event Thu, February 24, 2022 • 1:00 pm ET

POSTPONED – Global challenges and the Army’s role: A conversation with Secretary of the US Army Christine Wormuth
China Crisis Management Defense Industry Defense Policy
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Related content

Event Recap

May 31, 2022

Secretary Christine Wormuth on how the US Army will support Biden’s forthcoming National Defense Strategy

By Juliette Renaut

Secretary Wormuth discusses the Army’s role in implementing the Biden administration’s strategic priorities, particularly amid an intensifying war in Ukraine and a sustained China threat in the Indo-Pacific theater.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Event Recap

Mar 9, 2022

General Dickinson describes how USSPACECOM safeguards US interests in space

By Madison Littlepage

The Commander of US Space Command General James H. Dickinson explains how the United States prepares for and responds to security threats in space as part of Forward Defense’s Commanders Series.

Defense Industry Missile Defense

Commanders Series

Oct 5, 2018

The Next Battle of the Atlantic? A Conversation with Admiral James G. Foggo on Transatlantic Security

By Conor Rodihan

On October 5, 2018, the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative, part of the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, hosted a public discussion with Admiral James G. Foggo, III, commander, US Naval Forces Europe; US Naval Forces Africa; and Allied Joint Force Command Naples, on NATO’s deterrence posture and Allied efforts to reinforce the maritime […]

NATO Security & Defense
General Robert Neller, Commandant of the US Marine Corps, speaks with moderator Kevin Baron during a Commanders Series event at the Atlantic Council.

Commanders Series

Mar 29, 2018

US Marine Corps: A Strategic Look with General Neller

By Joanna Jaworska

On March 29, the Atlantic Council hosted Commandant of the Marine Corps General Robert B. Neller for a strategic look at the US Marine Corps. The event featured a moderated discussion led by Kevin Baron, Executive Editor of Defense One.

Commanders Series

May 4, 2017

Commanders Series Event with Chief of Staff of the Army General Mark Milley

By Foresight, Strategy, and Risks Initiative

On May 4, the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center for International Security hosted Chief of Staff of the Army General Mark Milley at the Army and Navy Club on Farragut Square in downtown Washington DC. Dr. Nora Bensahel interviewed General Milley after his opening statements and a welcome by former Secretary of the Army John […]

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