RCDS - Visit to USA, 2006
ROYAL COLLEGE OF DEFENCE STUDIES
VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 2006
Between 6th May and 12th May 2006 the RCDS Course visited Washington DC and New York City as part of its mission to be at the centre of global strategic studies and education. Given the unique position, strategically and historically, of the US as the sole hyper power, it is inconceivable that any programme aiming to provide a full strategic education would not engage in such a visit.
The opportunity to visit the major political institutions in Washington and the international organisations, such as the United Nations in NYC is vital to the continuing validity of the RCDS programme.
The RCDS party was able to access a wide range of first class speakers who provided focussed and expert insight into the key issues of the international politico-military area.
These speakers included: Senator Richard Lugar, Chairman of the Senate of the Foreign Affairs Committee; Ambassador Edelman, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; Admiral Giambastiani, Vice-Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff and Sir Emyr Jones Parry, UK Permanent Representative to the UN.
As the first visit of its kind it was considered a complete success, not least because of the informal partnership initiated with the National Defense University which, it is hoped, will develop into a full and productive alliance.
VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 2006
The Aim:
The aim of the visit was to examine at first hand and from a strategic perspective in what ways the policies of the United States and of the United Nations are influencing global stability, security and prosperity.
The Objectives:
Firstly, To examine at first hand the key prevailing domestic and international factors which impact on the USA’s global strategic priorities.
Secondly, To consider the means by which the USA will engage with the international community to address these priorities.
Thirdly, To consider the role and assess the effectiveness of the UN in conflict prevention, resolution and post-conflict activities.
Pre-Visit Lectures:
“Evolution, Roles and Structures of the UN” – Mr Tim Morris (FCO)
“The United Nations’: The View from the Outside” – Mrs Rosemary Righter (Associate Editor, The Times)
“The United States of America” – Dr Nigel Bowles (University of Oxford)
“The America Civil War” – Maj Gen K J Drewienkiewicz CB CMG
VISIT PROGRAMME
Sunday 7 May
Washington DC
Dinner with National Defence University and Embassy guests
“An Overseas View of Washington” – An insider’s view of Washington – Mr Richard Wolffe (Newsweek)
“The Home View of Washington - An insider’s view of Washington” – Mrs Ann Compton (ABC News)
Monday 8 May
Washington DC/Dirksen Building
“Senate’s Foreign Affairs Agenda” – Senator Richard G Lugar (Chairman of the Senate of the Foreign Affairs Committee)
“Department of Defense – Issues, Challenges and Processes” – Ambassador Edelman (Under Secretary of Defense for Policy)
Washington DC/Supreme Court
“The Supreme Court” – Justice Souter
Washington DC- National Defence University/National War College (Roosevelt Building)
“US Security Policy” – Mr Bob Joseph (Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security)
“The Concept of the Long War” – Mr David Ochmaneck (RAND)
“Future Security Challenges” – Mr Andrew Hoehn (RAND)
Washington DC - National Defence University/National War College (Roosevelt Building)
“Department of Defence” – Admiral Giambastiani (Vice-Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff)
“Policy and Intelligence” – Mr Douglas Feith
“Future Security Challenges” – Ms Michele Flournoy (Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic & International Studies)
Address by Lt Gen M Dunn (President National Defense University)
Syndicate Discussions with NDU and JFSC
a. How the US sees the world and how the world sees the US
b. Intervention – Challenges and effectiveness, now and in the future
Wednesday 10 May
Battlefield Tour of Gettysburg
Thursday 11 May
New York – United Nations
“The UN from Within” – Sir Emyr Jones Parry (UK Permanent Representative to the UN)
“UN Reform – Reflecting the Changing World Order” – Mr Bob Orr (Assistant Secretary General Policy Planning)
“The Challenges of Peacekeeping in the 21st Century – The implications for the United Nations” – Mr Jean-Marie Guehenno (Under Secretary General, Department of Peacekeeping Operations)
Discussions with UN Permanent Representatives from the following missions:
United States of America
Canada
Japan
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
United Kingdom
Republic of Kenya
Republic of Chile
Kingdom of Denmark
Federal Republic of Nigeria
People's Republic of Bangladesh