Past Events

Center for Disruptive Technology and Future Warfare | July 8, 2025

INSS to host Center for Disruptive Technology and Future Warfare Conference

This conference, which will take place on 4 September 2025 at the NDU campus on Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, DC, explores how the DoD can adapt new technology and engage the defense industrial base (DIB) to support the warfighter.
Events | June 30, 2025

INSS Presents to Visiting Delegation from National Defence College of India

On 11 June, Dr. Tom Lynch (INSS) gave the feature presentation on "Evolving Great Power Strategic Competition and Implications for India and South Asia Security" to the visiting delegation from the Indian National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi.
Events | June 11, 2025

INSS' WMD Center participates in Nordic-Baltic Proliferation Security In...

Mr. Paul J. David-Justus (INSS-CSWMD) and Dr. Casey Ellis (INSS-CSWMD) participated in the Nordic-Baltic Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Engagement in Helsinki, Finland.
INSS Around the Web | June 10, 2025

Dr. Clint Work featured on Korea 24 Radio Show

On 10 June, Dr. Clint Work provided commentary on potential changes in the U.S. force posture on the Korean Peninsula for Korea 24.
Events | June 10, 2025

2025 Annual Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Symposium

The Institute for National Strategic Studies’ Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction at National Defense University invites you to join us on 16-17 July 2025 for our Annual Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Symposium, entitled:"Deter,
INSS Around the Web | May 29, 2025

Naval power: American shipbuilding capacity and competition with China

T. X. Hammes, Distinguished Research Fellow in the INSS Center for Strategic and Military Power, joined Defense Priorities for a panel discussion on the reality of American shipbuilding and naval competition with China.
Events | May 28, 2025

INSS Presents at Northeast Asia International and Operational Law Confer...

Mr. Todd Pennington provided a presentation on Space and Law in Competition and Conflict at the Northeast Asia International and Operational Law Conference, presented by the Korea Tri-Command SJA Office on 21 May and 22 May 2025.
Events | May 13, 2025

INSS Presents at Sikkim Chapter of U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo...

Dr. Tom Lynch made a half hour virtual presentation on the evolving nature of great power competition and implications for India to the Northeast India Dialogue in Sikkum, India.
Events | May 12, 2025

INSS Hosts Annual Academic Exchange between École de Guerre and NDU

On 8 May, INSS and faculty from CIC, CISA and NWC hosted the annual academic exchange between École de Guerre students and NDU faculty.
Events | May 7, 2025

Strengthening the NPT: Bolstering the Three Pillars Against Disinformation

Sarah Gamberini, Senior Policy Fellow at the INSS Center for the Study of WMD, spoke at a side session of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Preparatory Committee for the Eleventh Review Conference at the United Nations
INSS Around the Web | May 7, 2025

China's Overseas Bases & the Transition to War, with T.X. Hammes on Midr...

T.X. Hammes, Distinguished Research Fellow in the INSS Center for Strategy and Military Power, joined the Midrats podcast.
Events | May 7, 2025

INSS Participates in Roundtable with Foundation for Strategic Research V...

Dr. Tom Lynch, Dr. Lisa Aronsson, and Mr. Brett Swaney of INSS participated in a roundtable dialogue with visiting fellows from the Fondation pour la recherche stratégique [Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS)]
Center for the Study of WMD | April 30, 2025

INSS Participates in Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Balkans Reg...

On 15 April, Mr. Paul J. David-Justus and Senior Policy Fellow Dr. Kathleen Ellis facilitated a tabletop exercise at the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Balkans Regional Engagement in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Events | April 14, 2025

INSS Visiting Scholar Mr. Shinagawa Presents Research Brief

INSS Visiting Scholar Mr. Takahiro Shinagawa presented the interim report of his research on future strategic concepts for the Japan-U.S. Alliance.
Events | March 24, 2025

INSS hosts President of Japan's National Institute for Defense Studies (...

INSS hosted Mr. Manabu Imakyurei, President of Japan’s National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) on 19 March 2025 for a discussion on regional issues
Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs | March 24, 2025

INSS China Center authors talk "China’s Quest for Military Supremacy" at...

On 17 March, INSS China's Center's Dr. Phil Saunders and Dr. Joel Wuthnow gave a presentation at Georgetown University, discussing their new book.
Space | March 10, 2025

INSS Joins Panel at USSPACECOM's Fifth Annual Legal Conference

Todd Pennington, INSS Senior Research Fellow for Space Strategy and Policy, was featured on a panel at the U.S. Space Command's Fifth Annual Legal Conference.
Space | March 10, 2025

INSS Participates in Panel to Discuss Dual-Use Space Technology

Mr. Todd Pennington, INSS Senior Research Fellow for Space Strategy and Policy, discussed dual-use space technology as a panelist at a recent event hosted by the Colorado Space Business Roundtable.
Events | Feb. 20, 2025

INSS’ CSWMD joins DTRA to Host Biothreat Deterrence Roundtable, Strength...

The United States and its allies and partners face an increasingly complex range of potential biothreats. How should the United States conceptualize, plan, and implement tailored deterrence strategies against evolving biological weapons threats? DTRA
Events | Feb. 4, 2025

INSS hosts Roundtable with Turkish Ambassador Sedat Önal

INSS was pleased to host the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, His Excellency Sedat Önal, at the National Defense University on 29 January 2025.
Events | Feb. 3, 2025

INSS joins CSIS Discussion on New Strategy for Containing Russia

On Thursday, 30 January 2025, Jeffrey Mankoff, a Distinguished Research Fellow in the INSS Center for Strategic Research (CSR), participated in a CSIS discussion on a new strategy for containing Russia.
Events | Dec. 19, 2024

INSS visits National and Nuclear Risk Reduction Center (NNRRC) at the De...

The Institute for National Strategic Studies visited the National and Nuclear Risk Reduction Center (NNRRC) at the U.S. Department of State.
Space | Dec. 17, 2024

Todd Pennington moderates panel at 19th Annual Eilene M. Galloway IISL S...

Mr. Todd Pennington, Senior Research Fellow for Space Strategy and Policy at the Institute for Strategic Studies' Center for Strategic Research, moderated a panel on Current Issues in National Security Space Operations at the 19th Annual Eilene M.
Events | Dec. 13, 2024

INSS speaks at Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA) webinar

On Wednesday, 11 December, Dr. Tom Lynch (INSS) was a feature speaker at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIA) webinar titled, "Great Power Competition in the 21st Century: More than a Buzzword?"
Events | Dec. 9, 2024

INSS hosts counterparts from Japan (NIDS) and Korea (KIDA)

On 4 December, INSS was pleased to host our counterparts from Japan (NIDS) and Korea (KIDA) for an in-depth exchange on key Indo-Pacific security topics.
Events | Dec. 2, 2024

Center for Strategic Research presents at 2024 TRT World Forum in Istanbul

CSR Distinguished Research Fellow Jeffrey Mankoff gave a presentation at the 2024 TRT World Forum in Istanbul on "The Russia-Ukraine War: How to Bridge the Divide?"
Events | Dec. 2, 2024

WMD Center facilitates tabletop exercise at Southeast Regional Prolifera...

On 21 November 2024, Mr. Brendan Melley, Director of the INSS Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, facilitated a tabletop exercise with WMD interdiction scenarios at the Southeast Regional Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)
Events | Nov. 18, 2024

Dr. Bryce Loidolt presents findings and chaired a panel at DSCU's annual...

On 28 October 2024, at the Defense Security Cooperation University's annual conference, "Building Lasting Partnerships: What Have We Learned?" Dr. Bryce Loidolt shared interim findings on pre-2022 Institutional Capacity Building efforts in Ukraine
Events | Nov. 14, 2024

Todd Pennington Participates in Panel at 34th Annual Review of the Field...

On 14 November 2024, Todd Pennington, Strategic Research Senior Research Fellow for Space Strategy and Policy in the INSS Center for Strategic Research, participated in a panel on U.S. National Security and Outer Space at the 34th Annual Review of
Events | Oct. 30, 2024

Dr. Tom Lynch Discusses 'The Future of Great Power Competition' at CAPS ...

On 27 October 2024, Dr. Tom Lynch (INSS) made a panel presentation on "The Future of Great Power Competition" at a feature panel of the Chinese Association of Political Science (CAPS) Annual International Convention in Taipei, Taiwan.
Events | Oct. 30, 2024

Dr. Tom Lynch (INSS) takes part in webinar on Indian Ocean Security co-h...

On 22 October 2024, Dr. Tom Lynch (INSS) made a feature panel presentation to a virtual Track 2 dialogue on Indian Ocean security at a webinar co-hosted by the Maritime Research Center and the NESA Center for Strategic Studies.
Events | Oct. 21, 2024

CSWMD Moderates Side Session at UN General Assembly First Committee

In support of the State Department Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence and Stability, Chemical and Biological Weapons Affairs Office, NDU INSS Center for the Study of WMD (CSWMD Senior Policy) Fellow Sarah Gamberini moderated a side session during the
Events | Oct. 1, 2024

CSWMD joins NDU Africa Center at Workshop in Lagos to Strengthen Counter...

The NDU Africa Center for Strategic Studies conducted a Catalyzing African Defender Communities Workshop in Lagos, Nigeria from 24-27 September 2024.
Events | Sept. 16, 2024

INSS at the Global Summit on Terrorism and Political Violence

Dr. Kim Cragin, INSS Distinguished Research Fellow for Counterterrorism and the Director of the Center for Strategic Research, presented at the Global Summit on Terrorism and Political Violence.
Events | July 22, 2024

Roundtable Discussion with the President of Latvia

On 8 July, 2024, INSS Director Dr. Denise Natali hosted a roundtable discussion at NDU with the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs and NDU senior leaders and faculty. 
Events | July 22, 2024

INSS Director Dr. Denise Natali meets with senior officials and research...

On 24 May, 2024, INSS Director Dr. Denise Natali meets with senior officials and research faculty at Japan’s National Institute for Defense Analysis (NIDS) in Toyko.
Events | April 26, 2024

2024 Annual Symposium

The National Defense University’s Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction (CSWMD) invites you to join us on 20-21 June 2024 for the virtual Annual CSWMD Symposium "Lenses and Mirrors: Reflecting on 30 Years of the WMD Spectrum."
Events | Dec. 14, 2023

Roundtable Discussion with the Republic of Korea

On December 14, 2023, NDU’s Institute for National Strategic Studies hosted a roundtable discussion with the Republic of Korea.
Middle East and North Africa | Oct. 26, 2023

Israel-Hamas War: A Regional Security Discussion

The Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) at the National Defense University hosted a regional security discussion on the Israel-Hamas War with Dr. Edward Luttwak. Dr. Luttwak discussed the current crisis in the Middle East and the New
Events | April 12, 2023

2023 Annual Symposium

The National Defense University’s Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction (CSWMD) invites you to join us on 14 June 2023 for the virtual Annual CSWMD Symposium, titled "WMD in the Decisive Decade." 
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | March 29, 2022

The Avoidable War: The Dangers of a Catastrophic Conflict Between the US...

While China has emerged as an economic superpower in the 21st century it has disappointed the expectations of some that it would become a ‘responsible stakeholder’ in the global, rules-based system. Under President Xi Jinping China has undergone an
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | March 9, 2022

War: How Conflict Shaped Us

War has always been a force for change between countries and within society. The relationship between society and war is cyclical as war influences the language people use, how places are named, and encourages social changes. Despite being a mostly
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | March 2, 2022

Defense Strategy and a Strategy of Denial?

U.S. grand strategy for contesting China’s aggression must be redefined. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, U.S. defense policy has lacked focus. Elbridge Colby argues that U.S. defense policy should have three main areas of focus:
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Feb. 16, 2022

Responding to China: The Case For Global Justice and Democratic Socialism

Western countries are still struggling to define their attitude towards the Beijing regime. In this talk, Thomas Piketty argued Western countries may find it difficult to meet the Chinese challenge if they stick to their usual lecturing posture and
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Feb. 2, 2022

How can the Department of Defense catch up with the CCP within 6 months?

In a session on February 2, 2022, Nicolas M. Chaillan discussed how the Department of Defense can catch up with China. Nicholas M. Chaillan served as the first U.S. Air Force and Space Force Chief Software Officer. The event ran from 1200-1300 on
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Nov. 10, 2021

The Empire Versus the Federation

The China challenge has impact far beyond the United States. Australia—a member of the Five Eyes coalition and a stout ally of the United States—stood against Chinese trade, intellectual property, and human rights abuses. Australia led the global
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Oct. 19, 2021

AI Will Change War

Artificial Intelligence (AI) could lead to “Hyperwar”—a type of conflict and competition so automated that it would collapse the decision action loop, eventually minimizing human control over most decisions. America’s challenge is to encourage the
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Oct. 7, 2021

Competing Visions of World Order

When Samuel Huntington described the “clash of civilizations” in 1993, he was criticized for reinforcing a self-fulfilling prophecy. Today we face a tectonic global clash, but not necessarily of the type Huntington foresaw; clashing are two
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Sept. 7, 2021

Did Globalization Go Too Far?

As the economic competition between the United States and China intensifies companies find themselves caught in the crossfire. Western companies hesitate to offend China and possibly lose access to China’s “super-large market.” Milton Friedman argues
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Aug. 31, 2021

National Security In A Digital World

The digital revolution of recent decades has transformed nearly all facets of life—not least the national security environment. The volume and mass transmission of digitized information has pushed the velocity of decision-making to the limits of
Events | Aug. 3, 2021

Spotlight Webinar: Red Teaming the Post-COVID-19 Biological Weapon Threa...

Join us on August 26 for a CSWMD Spotlight Webinar on “Red Teaming the Post-COVID-19 Biological Weapons Threat Landscape” with Gary Ackerman and Ted Plasse.
Events | Aug. 3, 2021

Spotlight Webinar: Red Teaming the Post-COVID-19 Biological Weapon Threa...

Join us on August 26 for a CSWMD Spotlight Webinar on “Red Teaming the Post-COVID-19 Biological Weapons Threat Landscape” with Gary Ackerman and Ted Plasse.
Events | July 27, 2021

Party-Army Relations in China: Is Another 100 Years Possible?

On July 15, the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs hosted a webinar on party-army relations in China featuring three leading experts: Dr. Chen Yali (Hunter College), Dr. Andrew Scobell (U.S. Institute of Peace), and Dr. Joel Wuthnow
Events | July 22, 2021

Spotlight Webinar: Negotiating Next Steps on Arms Control with Putin’s R...

On 29 July, CSWMD hosted a Spotlight Webinar discussion on Negotiating Next Steps on Arms Control with Putin’s Russia with Deputy Director, Center for Global Security Research (CGSR), Michael Albertson.
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | July 14, 2021

The Three-Body Problem; The U.S., China, and Russia

The Cold War was the first time in over a century that the United States faced a truly existential threat, the threat of all-out, strategic, nuclear war. The strategic response designed to avoid such a catastrophe was mutual assured destruction, a
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | June 22, 2021

How to Engage with China

Although consensus appears to have been reached in the United States on the adversarial nature of our relationship with China, opinions on how to engage—or disengage—with China are diverse. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the U.S. – China
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | May 27, 2021

A New Approach to Industrial Policy?

The concept of industrial policy has been neuralgic in the United States for quite some time. In recent years economic orthodoxy has argued that "the market" is the best mechanism to spur innovation. Our strategic competitors use state subsidies,
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | May 19, 2021

Their Silent Intentions

The United States and its allies have recently come under relentless attacks in cyber space. While some of these attacks have been relatively harmless, some have been seriously consequential, and their potential to harm U.S. national security
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | May 18, 2021

The United States, China, and Russia: An Innovation Net Assessment

U.S. strategy for global competition and cooperation in innovation cannot be charted without considering innovation in China and Russia, as well as the relationships between these three actors. Here, we bring together world-leading experts to examine
Events | May 6, 2021

Spotlight Webinar: The Future of WMD

Join us on May 20 for a CSWMD Spotlight Webinar discussion on the future of WMD with John Caves and Seth Carus.
Events | May 4, 2021

2021 Annual Symposium

The National Defense University’s Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) held its 2021 Annual WMD Symposium, "WMD Policy and Strategy Under the Biden Administration," on 16-17 June.  
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | April 23, 2021

What Does China Want?

Despite bipartisan consensus on China’s threat to US national security interests, different views persist on how to meet the challenge of contemporary great power competition and China’s view of the future world order. LTG (Ret.) H. R. McMaster will
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | April 20, 2021

Innovation Amongst Allies Now-Greater Than The Sum of The Parts

Allies and international networks are central to innovation, but even amongst the most established alliances, effective collaboration requires understanding that each partner has distinct—as well as shared—national interests and perspectives. This
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | April 8, 2021

Geoeconomics Revisited

The national security community primarily looks at great power competition with China through a military lens. The greater threat to US interests and influence, however, is arguably economic in nature. China’s growing economic influence threatens to
Events | April 7, 2021

Spotlight Webinar: Nuclear Terrorism

On 29 April, CSWMD hosted a virtual Spotlight featuring Dallas Boyd (National Nuclear Security Agency Office of Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation), Regina Galer (National Defense University), and Michael Kaiser (Department of Homeland
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | March 24, 2021

Rector Federica Mogherini Reprise

The US Department of Defense (DoD) Strategic Multilayer Assessment (SMA) program hosted a special one-hour session on March 24, 2021, with Rector Federica Mogherini (College of Europe; Former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | March 17, 2021

The Role of Europe in the New Great Power Competition

The US Department of Defense (DoD) Strategic Multilayer Assessment (SMA) program hosted a speaker session on March 17, 2021, presented by Rector Federica Mogherini (College of Europe; Former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign
Events | March 3, 2021

Spotlight Webinar: COVID-19 Insights for Nuclear and Radiological Prepar...

On 18 March, the NDU Center for the Study of WMD hosted a virtual Spotlight featuring Dr. Julie Bentz.
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Feb. 24, 2021

Innovating for National Security

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Strategic Multilayer Assessment (SMA) program hosted a speaker session on February 24, 2021, presented by Mr. Michael Brown (Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)), as a part of its SMA NDU/PRISM Innovation Series. 
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Feb. 18, 2021

The United States, China, and Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War

On February 18, 2021, this discussion led by James Schmeling, President and CEO, explores and explains why Taiwan is emerging as a potential flashpoint for a war that could include US intervention. Featuring AMB. Robert Blackwill & Professor Philip
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Feb. 17, 2021

Geoeconomics and Great Power Competition

The US Department of Defense (DoD) Strategic Multilayer Assessment (SMA) program hosted a speaker session on February 17, 2021, presented by General (Ret.) David Petraeus, as a part of its SMA INSS/PRISM Speaker Series.
Events | Feb. 3, 2021

Special Edition Spotlight Webinar: CSWMD Perspectives for the New Admini...

On February 24, the NDU Center for the Study of WMD presented a Special Edition Spotlight event showcasing new and relevant policy research by its staff. This two-hour online session featured two panels: “Present and Pressing WMD Challenges” and
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Jan. 12, 2021

Economics, Diplomacy, and Great Power Competition

The US Department of Defense (DoD) Strategic Multilayer Assessment (SMA) program hosted a speaker session on January 12, 2021, presented by Hon. Robert Zoellick (Former World Bank President; US Trade Representative; and Deputy Secretary,
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Nov. 18, 2020

American Businesses and Great Power Competition

On November 18, 2020, the US Department of Defense (DoD) Strategic Multilayer Assessment (SMA) program hosted a speaker session as a part of its SMA INDOPACOM/AFRICOM Speaker Series. The speaker was GEN (Ret.) Joseph Votel (Former Commander, USSOCOM
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Oct. 15, 2020

America and the World: A History of U.S. Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

The US Department of Defense (DoD) Strategic Multilayer Assessment (SMA) program hosted a conversation on October 15, 2020 as a part of its SMA INSS/PRISM Speaker Series, featuring Honorable Robert Zoellick and moderator General (Ret.) David
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Sept. 23, 2020

Geoeconomics and the Emerging World Order: The Power of the U.S. Dollar

The US Department of Defense (DoD) Strategic Multilayer Assessment (SMA) program hosted a speaker session on September 23, 2020 as a part of its SMA INSS/PRISM Speaker Series, entitled “Geoeconomics and the Emerging World Order: The Power of the U.S.
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | Aug. 19, 2020

GeoEconomics and the Emerging World Order

Held on August 19, 2020, this lecture and discussion featured Dr. Joseph E. Stiglitz, University Professor at Columbia University. Dr. Stiglitz is winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics (2001) and in 2011 was named by Time magazine as one of the 100
INSS/PRISM Speaker Series | May 6, 2020

The Geo-Economic Dimension of Great Power Competition

This faculty seminar was held on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 and focused on the fundamentals of geo-economics and the drivers or dimensions of geo-economic competition. This seminar features two distinguished subject matter experts on China and