NEWPORT, RI – The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) hosted Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro’s Current Strategy Forum (CSF) on board Naval Station Newport, June 13-14, 2023.
More than one hundred distinguished guests, faculty, and students joined in-person and virtually including keynote speakers Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday and Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies Dr. Hal Brands, and NWC President Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, who gave opening remarks.
“For the past 72 years, the Current Strategy Forum has allowed our nation's public servants, scholars, and senior military officers to join the college faculty and students in a discussion that encourages a wide-range debate on national and international security,” said Chatfield. “Its purpose is to provide a platform for the nation's public servants, scholars, and senior military officers to engage with the college's Faculty and students in discussions about the future strategy of the United States.”
The theme of this year’s forum, “Preserving America’s Leadership Role,” sought to examine the relationship between U.S leadership on the world stage and American prosperity. Topics of discussion included new and emerging technologies, developing allies and partnerships, and the Department of Defense’s integrated approach toward deterring conflict.
“One of the key foundations to America’s standing in the world is our relationships with our partners, and in our case, with our fellow navies,” said Gilday.
Throughout his remarks, the CNO not only emphasized the importance of allies and partners, but also the importance of technology sharing, training, and readiness.
This year marks the 72nd annual CSF which also serves as the capstone academic event for NWC students, bringing together prominent civilian and military leaders to discuss future U.S. strategy with senior officers attending the college. Since 1949, the event 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 issues.
“Over the years, the CSF has expanded its reach, encompassing a diverse group of America's civilian and military leaders, fostering inclusive and comprehensive national and international security debates,” said Chatfield. “This year, we convene under the theme "Preserving America's Leadership Role," a central focus within the 2022 National Security Strategy (NSS). The NSS underscores the imperative for the United States to maintain its leadership position within the global system, safeguarding our vital interests and charting a path toward a brighter future.”
NWC delivers excellence in education, research, and outreach, informing today’s decision-makers and educating tomorrow’s leaders. The college provides educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop students’ ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage.
The current class of NWC students is slated to graduate June 16, 2023, in a ceremony held on NWC’s campus. For more information about CSF follow the link here and for more imagery from this year’s conference follow: NWC Flickr.