The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) invites you to attend the inaugural event in our Synthetic Biology: The Ongoing Technology Revolution Series. This initial event will introduce the science of synthetic biology, as well as the opportunities and risks it presents to both national security and the global economy. This event will serve as the first of four events, which will convene a diverse set of experts to discuss the security and economic policy implications of this critical emerging technology.   Synthetic Biology: The Ongoing Technology Revolution Series   Emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 5G, and synthetic biology—drive security and economic competition and are increasingly shaping national strategies. To develop an effective strategy for synthetic biology, policy makers and the general public need a better understanding of synthetic biology’s underlying capabilities, state of development, and diverse applications. Through a series of four symposia, CSIS will explore synthetic biology’s wide-ranging applications—from advanced microelectronics and materials to nutrition and cosmetics —and opportunities to shape its future development in support of U.S. security and economic interests. This series will include targeted discussions on synthetic biology’s: Present and future potential as a critical emerging technology; Economic, societal, and international implications; National security opportunities and risks; and Implications for emerging technology policy. CSIS hopes you will join us for our inaugural event on February 6and will continue the discussion in the events that follow.   This series of events is sponsored by Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Colin Powell emerged on the national scene more than thirty years ago, and it is easy to forget that they were once allies. The two men collaborated closely in the successful American wars in Panama and Iraq during the presidency of George H. W. Bush. Returning to government service under George W. Bush in 2001, they (and their respective allies within the administration) fell into deep antagonism over the role America should play in a world defined by terrorism, the invasion of Iraq, and debates about unilateralism. Why did the rift between the two respected statesmen emerge? And what does the broken partnership suggest about U.S. foreign policy? Please join Seth Center and the Project on History and Strategy for a discussion with James Mann about his new book on the intertwined careers of Dick Cheney and Colin Powell. The Great Rift: Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, and the Broken Friendship that Defined an Era  is a sweeping history of two statesmen whose rivalry and conflicting views of U.S. national security color our political debate to this day. In a wide-ranging, deeply researched, and dramatic narrative, James Mann explores each man’s biography and philosophical predispositions to show how and why this deep and permanent rupture occurred. Through dozens of original interviews and surprising revelations from presidential archives, he brings to life the very human story of how this influential friendship turned so sour and how the enmity of these two powerful men colored the way America acts in the world. This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

At 11:00 PM on January 31st, the UK will formally withdraw from the European Union. How will the UK's foreign and security policy change? What security challenges will it prioritize? And will leaving the European Union bring the UK closer to the United States? Please join us for a conversation with former UK Secretary of State for Defense (2010-2011), former Secretary of State for International Trade (2016-2019), and Conservative MP from North Somerset Dr. Liam Fox. Dr. Fox will offer his reflections on the vitally important role NATO must play in the future, the role of values in national security, the security challenges that Russia and China pose to the UK, the impact of cyber warfare, and the role of non-state actors and proxy groups in fueling future conflicts. This event is made possible through generous support from the Stuart Family Foundation

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) invites you to attend a conversation with SAIC’s Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Defense Systems Customer Group Jim Scanlon. Mr. Scanlon is responsible for leading strategy, business development, and program execution for approximately $2.9 billion in support to the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and Defense Logistics Agency. The discussion will explore the implications of the growing emphasis on technology competition with near peers and how the benefits of big data and artificial intelligence, highlighted in the Army Future Command data strategy, could be brought to the operating force. These overarching issues have important implications for technical services companies, whether they develop algorithms or balance system engineering tradeoffs. Jim Scanlon will discuss not only the role SAIC may play, but will also analyze the larger services market as it has been shaped by the complexity of multi-domain operations that are reliant on a diverse mix of interacting systems.   The purpose of the Main Street Defense event series is to highlight the unique opportunities and challenges faced by ‘Main Street’ companies in the defense industry. By broadening the conversation to include entities headquartered in America’s towns and cities beyond the top five defense contractors, and by providing a public platform for discussion, CSIS engage new voices and provides a setting for a dialogue on important factors affecting the entire defense and security sector today, different from those that we usually hear about.   Mr. Andrew Hunter will moderate the discussion with Mr. Scanlon. Please join us on Thursday, January 23 for this timely conversation. This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.   Featuring  

CSIS is hosting Air Force General John Hyten, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for a conversation on how the Joint Force is addressing the growing security challenges posed by U.S. strategic competitors. General Hyten will provide opening remarks which will be followed by a discussion moderated by Kathleen Hicks, Senior Vice President and Director of the International Security Program at CSIS. This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.

With the demise of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and an unclear future for New START, U.S.-Russian arms control is in dire condition. Some experts in both capitals question the feasibility or necessity of further bilateral arms control. However, any U.S. and Russian administration will face the task of managing its own arsenal and relations with a nuclear armed competitor, which requires some level of arms control—formal or informal. How do Moscow and Washington approach this task? What are most immediate concerns and what could be on the table in the future negotiations? How possible is trilateral arms control with China? What are the arms control mechanisms short of formal treaties? Andrey Baklitskiy, visiting fellow with the Russia and Eurasia Program, will present his analysis of the different options for U.S.-Russian arms control. The Russian Visiting Fellows Program at CSIS is made possible by the generous support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York. 

Agenda 11:30 - 12:00  Keynote Speech Introductory Remarks: Dr. Hamre, President and CEO, CSIS Keynote: H.E. Taro Kono, Minister of Defense, Government of Japan Discussion and Q&A, Moderator: Michael J. Green, Senior Vice President for Asia and Japan Chair, CSIS; Director of Asian Studies, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University   12:00 - 13:00  Panel Discussion Kenichiro Sasae, President, JIIA Satoru Mori, Professor, Hosei University Sheila Smith, Senior Fellow for Japan Studies, Council on Foreign Relations   Moderator: Michael J. Green, Senior Vice President for Asia and Japan Chair, CSIS; Director of Asian Studies, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University   13:00 - 14:00  Light Lunch Buffet/Reception CSIS, 2 Floor Foyer                     14:00  Adjourn

Please join us for this season's next installment of the Schieffer Series, "The Syria Withdrawal and Next Steps." The Wall Street Journal's Nancy Youssef will join CSIS's Melissa Dalton, Seth Jones and Brian Katz for a discussion on the U.S. withdrawal from Syria and the implications this decision will have on Syria and the greater Middle East. Additionally, the panelists will touch on next steps for U.S. strategy in the region.   Event - 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.Pre-Event Reception - 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.   Hosted by CBS News legend and CSIS Trustee Bob Schieffer, the Schieffer Series features thoughtful panel discussions with senior officials, lawmakers, journalists, and policy experts to discuss global challenges and critical issues of national security and foreign policy. Now in its 11th consecutive year, the Schieffer Series is produced by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in partnership with the Bob Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas. This series is made possible with the generous support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. For information or inquiries contact [email protected].

Please join CSIS’s Office of the Korea Chair and the Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group on December 10th for a joint conference titled “CSIS-DAPA 2019: A New Generation of Partnership in the US-ROK Alliance” that aims to explore deeper and more extensive cooperation between defense-industrial firms in the two nations. The public session will feature a conversation with the Republic of Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration Minister Mr. Jung-hong Wang and the US Department of Defense’s Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Mr. Kevin Fahey.   Mr. Richard Armitage, President, Armitage International; Trustee, CSIS Mr. Andrew Hunter, Senior Fellow and Director, Defense- Industrial Initiatives Group, CSIS Mr. Jung-hong Wang, Minister, Defense Acquisition Program Administration Honorable Kevin Fahey, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Department of Defense Moderator: Dr. Victor D. Cha, Senior Adviser and Korea Chair, CSIS; D.S. Dong-KF Professor of Government, Georgetown University This event is co-hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Defense Acquisition Program (DAPA), and the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ). FEATURED

Against the backdrop of recent allegations leveled against Huawei and other Chinese entities, the nature and scope of the Communist Party of China’s (CCP) secret operations overseas, including traditional espionage, influence operations, industrial espionage, and intellectual property theft have never been more important, yet this topic remains widely misunderstood and understudied. In their new book, Chinese Communist Espionage: An Intelligence Primer, co-authors Peter Mattis and Matt Brazil focus on the world of Chinese espionage both past and present, enabling a better understanding of how important its influence is, both in China and abroad. Please join us at CSIS for a discussion of Chinese espionage with the two authors, as well as Aruna Viswanatha of The Wall Street Journal, in a discussion moderated by Jude Blanchette, CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies.   This event is made possible through CSIS general support funds.