1999 Fletcher Conference

Tuesday, November 2, 1999 10:15 to 11:45 a.m.
Panel 1:

Understanding the Implications of the 21st Century Challenges

Senator John Warner
Lieutenant General Patrick M. Hughes
Mr. Robert D. Kaplan
Dr. Richard A. Falkenrath

The opening panel of Fletcher Conference 1999 embraced a broad diversity of perspective. From left to right, Lieutenant General (Ret.) Patrick Hughes, former Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency; Mr. Robert Kaplan, journalist and author; Dr. Richard Falkenrath, Assistant Professor of Public Policy, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University; and Senator John Warner, Chairman, Senate Armed Services Committee.

Introduction: U.S. national security in the early 21st century may be challenged in ways very different from those faced since the end of the Cold War. Others argue that 21st century challenges will look much the same as those we've faced through the 1990s: continued high operational tempo, service-members maintaining peace, rebuilding nations, handling refugees and helping with disaster reliefas examples. In either case, the trends toward a multi-polar international system, diffusion and empowerment of non-state actors, and the emergence of new problems will make necessary novel approaches to diplomacy and the use of military power. Developing a common understanding of the factors that will shape national security priorities will provide the essential framework to address these challenges.

 

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page created 31 October 2000

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