ASG Summer Workshop 2016
From August 5- 9, the Aspen Strategy Group’s Summer Workshop examined how to reform America’s national security decision-making process. Participants discussed practical solutions to repair the key functions of Washington’s executive departments, agencies, and advisory bodies responsible for shaping U.S. foreign policy and national security.This year’s Workshop began with the annual Ernest R. May Memorial Lecture by Dr. Douglas Stuart titled, “Pearl Harbor at 75”, where he framed the historical context for today’s national security toolbox and policy making. Sessions highlighted key areas across the National Security Council, Defense, State, Treasury, Commerce, and the intelligence community that would benefit from institutional reforms. A public event called,“Advice to the New Administration: America’s Future National Security Challenges” featured former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former National Security Advisor Steve Hadley, and former UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband in conversation with ASG Director Nicholas Burns. Discussants spoke candidly about the global migrant crisis, China’s maritime activities in the South China Sea, and climate change among other timely issues. Following the Summer Workshop, David Ignatius of the Washington Post published pieces in the Washington Post on the Group’s bipartisan efforts and the Third Offset Strategy, presented in Aspen.
In November 2016, the Aspen Strategy Group released the papers commissioned for the meeting in a policy book entitled “America’s National Security Architecture: Rebuilding the Foundation“.