Naval War College professors facilitate Institute for Superior Defense Studies seminar

MAPUTO, Mozambique – In coordination with Mozambique’s Institute for Superior Defense Studies (ISEDEF), two professors from the U.S. Naval War College offered a strategy development workshop from July 11-13 at ISEDEF’s campus in Maputo. 

The Mozambican workshop participants, officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as civilians from the Ministry of Defense and ISEDEF, discussed best practices from the United States, Mozambique, and other nations to develop national strategy related to the military, and the importance of military strategy to Mozambique’s development and prosperity.

U.S. Defense Attaché, LTC Kristofer Kvam, said “We hope that this workshop will lead to continued opportunities for discussion on this important topic. It is through these conversations that we develop bonds and mutual understanding.”

The professors from the Naval War College, Larry McCabe and Derek Reveron, had significant prior experience in Africa and felt the seminar advanced American-Mozambican cooperation on shared challenges such as illegal fishing, maritime piracy, and environmental degradation. 

In addition, Professor Derek Reveron stressed the importance lessons learned for his students back in the United States: “Exchanges like this are two-way streets; we will use the experience to enrich our classroom back in Rhode Island and improve understanding of human security challenges facing Mozambique.”

Ambassador H. Dean Pittman presided over the closing ceremony and called on the participating military leaders to “Consider the impact of your decisions not only on your organizations, but also on your sister institutions in the Mozambican Government, and the citizens whom we all strive to serve.”