This year marks the 69th annual Current Strategy Forum (CSF) at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport. The first CSF was held on 9 May 1949 under the title “Round Table Talks.” This event offered an opportunity for the Nation’s public servants, scholars, and senior military officers to join the College faculty and students to discuss the future strategy of the United States. Over the years, the CSF has expanded to include a cross section of America’s civilian and military leadership to encourage a wide-ranging debate on national and international security. This year’s theme:
Technology, Innovation and Strategy
To preserve the American way of life requires a military with a clear competitive advantage over all potential enemies. To sustain the advantage that the United States has enjoyed in recent time requires a Joint Force that understands the dynamics in today’s technology driven environment and adapts its thinking and methods to guarantee a clear advantage over potential adversaries in the decades to come. It must overcome the many impediments that inhibit timely adaption of new thinking. Understanding the interactions between new technologies, innovation and strategy is vital to creating a successful path forward. Resources and budgets must be made part of the equation. In the past, innovation was solving real-time problems with the new technologies that were in place. Due to the accelerating pace in the advancement on new technology by near-peer competitors, with their desire to change the current world order, we cannot wait for the next war to innovate. It is necessary to incorporate/anticipate innovation in our strategic thinking.
This year’s forum will seek to better understand the relationship between the inventor (technology), the innovator (decision maker) and the Strategist and explore the role of strategy in making sure our forces are prepared for the coming challenges presented by the proliferation of new, more capable, less expensive military capabilities.
"We should seek new capabilities that create clear advantages for our military while posing costly dilemmas for our adversaries….We must eliminate bureaucratic impediments to innovation and embrace less expensive and time-intensive commercial solutions."
- NSS December 2017
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