Dr. Frank Gavin, Director of the Strauss Center, welcomed Admiral James G. Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and Commander, United States European Command on November 6, 2009 to present his talk on the role of Europe and NATO in the current international security environment.

Admiral Stavridis spoke to a full house at the LBJ Library Atrium on the history, linkages, challenges and opportunities that are shaping the new strategic concept of security in the 21st century. He described the role of NATO in the context of a demographic, economic and military bridge that connects the U.S. and Europe. His presentation included discussions of socio-economic and political issues in Russia, Kosovo, Turkey, Afghanistan and Israel which define global security needs. In today’s interconnected world, he said, NATO should play the role of a global actor in the realm of humanitarian assistance and economic cooperation. Admiral Stavridis emphasized the need for an interagency, international, private and public collaboration to deal with what he called the “brain-on-brain warfare”¬ù of the 21st century. He further highlighted the immense opportunities information and communication technology provide in the exchange of ideas and even encouraged the audience to use web applications including Facebook to share good practices around the world. His presentation concluded with a picture of a rheostat depicting the crucial balance between hard and soft power in responding to today’s security issues.

Answering varied questions from the audience, Admiral Stavridis explained the importance of the U.S. role in balancing relations between Russia and U.S. allies and the need to understand and respect Russian sensibility in today’s geopolitics. He also elaborated on NATO’s capacity to fight terrorism in Afghanistan.

Admiral James Stavridis is Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and Commander, U.S. European Command. Most recently he was Commander of U.S. Southern Command in Miami, Florida. He is an accomplished author and has written extensively on topics of leadership and international relations. Admiral Stavridis is a 1976 distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University where he earned a Masters of Art in Law and Diplomacy as well as a PhD in International Relations, and a distinguished graduate of both the Naval and National War Colleges. Admiral Stavridis is a Surface Warfare Officer. He commanded the Destroyer USS Barry (DDG-52), Destroyer Squadron 21, and the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group where he directed combat operations in the Arabian Gulf in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Photos from the event can be accessed here. 

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