National Security Strategy Solarium II Part 1

On February 20, 2008, the Center for a New American Security hosted "Solarium II: American Grand Strategy" at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C.  The event brought together prominent national security thinkers and practitioners for a one-day colloquium concerning America’s purpose and place in the world.

CNAS commissioned five prominent thinkers to write and present their preferred vision of an American grand strategy for the 21st century.  Inspired by President Eisenhower’s use of competitive strategy development during the 1953 Solarium exercise  the conference featured presentations by each author, a formal critique by a distinguished reviewer, and a general debate among conference participants.

The conference was moderated by CNAS President Michèle Flournoy, who concluded that the exercise was “a real opportunity to engage in a constructive and productive debate,” one that hopefully will inform the national discussion concerning America’s role in the world in the critical years ahead. 

Framing Brief
Presenter: Shawn Brimley, Fellow, Center for a New American Security

Paper Presentation
Presenter: Barry R. Posen, Ford International Professor of Political Science & Director of the Security Studies Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Critique:

 James Steinberg, Dean, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin