Alliances and American Leadership Project Launch

Welcoming remarks by
Dr. Michael J. Green
Senior Vice President for Asia and Japan Chair, CSIS; and Chair in Modern and Contemporary Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy, Georgetown University

Project introduction by
Andrew Shearer
Senior Adviser on Asia-Pacific Security

Keynote address by
Admiral Gary Roughead
Former Chief of Naval Operations, USN (Ret.)

Panel discussion on alliance dynamics, featuring
Dr. Michael J. Green 
Senior Vice President for Asia and Japan Chair, CSIS

Heather A. Conley
Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia, and the Arctic; and Director, Europe Program, CSIS

Jon B. Alterman
Senior Vice President, Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, and Director, Middle East Program, CSIS

Dr. Kathleen Hicks
Senior Vice President; Henry A. Kissinger Chair; Director, International Security Program, CSIS

For more than half a century, the United States’ network of alliances has been a central pillar of the liberal international system, contributing significantly to global stability and prosperity. Until recently, the pivotal role of alliances in U.S. grand strategy has not been seriously challenged. Today, however, the U.S.-led alliance system stands at a crossroads. The United States and its allies face a wider range of international threats than at any time during the post-war period, which can only be met with strong international partnerships. Yet during the U.S. election campaign, President-elect Donald Trump cast doubt on the continuing value of those alliances, while President Barack Obama also criticized some U.S. allies for not pulling their weight. In many allied countries, traditional ties with the United States are under increased strain owing to domestic politics and shifting regional alignments.

At a time of great uncertainty for the United States and its allies around the world, CSIS is launching the Alliances and American Leadership Project in an effort to answer vitally important questions about the future of the U.S.-led alliance system. Join us for the first of many discussions on this critical issue.