KSU-SSI Annual Symposium - Conflict Management and Peacebuilding

Global governance failures and economic disparity influence the evolution of a variety of other global risk; most of them are tightly connected. Disconnection through Connection: new, intertwined global challenges and global shifts of power bear the risk of a marginalization of traditional partnerships and multinational institutions. What are the consequences for Europe and the US? Will the transatlantic relationship remain a core element of Western political influence or is it in agony? A bold and long-term strategic vision for the transatlantic community needs to reinvigorate the transatlantic relationship by promoting a global democratic political culture (that respects specific cultural aspects) and fostering a regional cooperative model in a multi-polar and increasingly complex geopolitical setting.

There has been and continues to be no shortage of threats to the United States and the world at large. The global landscape is lined with challenges that seem broad and interconnected. The world of today is a crucible of problems and threats that affect us in ways once unthinkable: terrorism; piracy; hunger and humanitarian concerns; pandemics; climate change; demands for highly strategic resources including energy, food and water; cyber security; proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons; global economic concerns; and regional instabilities. They are abundant in number and can defy predictability. They require strategic thinking and planning so as to anticipate, prevent and deal with them effectively in times of crisis. This talk will explore those threats and suggest necessary thinking and responses.

The role of peacebuilding and conflict management in a future American Grand Strategy is the topic of this discussion. The Panelists are Major General Charles J. Dunlap, Jr. USAF (Ret.) (Executive Director, Center on Law, Ethics and National Security, Duke Law School), Dr. Robert Kennedy (Professor of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology), and Mr. Michael Lekson (Deputy Provost, Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding at the U.S. Institute for Peace). The Moderator is Dr. Jeffrey D. McCausland (Distinguished Visiting Professor of Research and Minerva Chair at Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College)

More than a Military Tool: Strengthening civil-military cooperation in peace building is the theme of this discussion. William Flavin (Division Chief, Doctrine, Concept, Education & Training, Peacekeeping & Stability Operations Institute, U.S. Army War College), Colonel (Ret.) Christopher Holshek (U.S. Army Civil Affairs), Mr. Scott Schein (Director of Strategic Studies & Planning, EADS-North America) are the panelist with Mr. Doug Brooks (President, International Stability Operations Association) as the moderator.

Peace and Development: Key Elements of a new Grand Strategy is discussed. The Panelists are: Dr. Melanie Alamir (Director of alacon research, consulting and training), Dr. Michael Ashkenazi (Senior Researcher, Bonn International Center for Conversion), and Colonel (Ret.) A. Dwight Raymond (Doctrine and Concepts Analyst, Peacekeeping & Stability Operations Institute, U.S. Army War College). The Moderator is Dr. Akanmu Adebayo (Professor of History and Interim Director of the Center for Conflict Management, Kennesaw State University)

Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and a New American Grand Strategy: Views from Abroad is discussed. The Panelists are Dr. Kwesi Aning (Director, Graduate Studies and Research Department, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre), Dr. Tobias Debiel (Director, Institute for Development and Peace (INEF), University of Duisburg-Essen) Dr. Abel Esterhuyse (Associate Professor of Strategy at Stellenbosch University & Editor of Scientia Militaria, South African Journal of Military Studies), and Dr. Liselotte Odgaard (Associate Professor at the Institute for Strategy, Royal Danish Defence College). The Moderator is Dr. Volker Franke, Director of PhD Program in International Conflict Management at Kennesaw State University.

Failing and post-conflict states are among the greatest national and international security challenges of our day, threatening vulnerable populations, their neighbors, and American interests at home and abroad. Managing conflict, particularly internal conflict, has become a central factor for ensuring that countries are set on a sustainable path towards peace, democracy and economic prosperity. The panel will assess the conceptual merits and limitations of conflict management strategies for effective conflict transformation in post-conflict contexts. Moderator: Dr. Robin Dorff, General Douglas MacArthur Chair of Research and Professor of National Security Affairs, U.S. Army War College Panelists: Dr. Michael Ashkenazi, Senior Researcher, Bonn International Center for Conversion Dr. Mary Habeck, Associate Professor of Strategic Studies, The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University Dr. Robert Kennedy, Professor of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology Mr. Michael Miklaucic, Research Director & USAID Liaison, Center for Complex Operations, National Defense University

Conflict management strategies and whole-of-government approaches are closely connected. In failing states and post-conflict societies, security, governance, and development are challenges that need to be addressed simultaneously and in a coordinated fashion. The panel will examine the requirements for effective civil-military and interagency coordination from different policy perspectives and analyze challenges to whole-of- government approaches in fragile states. Moderator: Dr. Jack Moran, Associate Professor of Political Science, Kennesaw State University Panelists: Dr. Lisa Schirch, Founding Director, 3D Security Initiative and professor of Peacebuilding, Eastern Mennonite University Dr. Melanie Alamir, Program Manager Networked Security, IABG, Germany Major General Charles J. Dunlap, Jr., USAF (Ret.), Associate Director, Center on Law, Ethics and National Security, Duke Law School Mr. James "Spike" Stephenson, Senior Advisor for Stabilization and Reconstruction at Creative Associates International, Inc COL (Ret.) Jack A. LeCuyer, Minerva Chair, Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College

Both the Iraq and Afghanistan operations have proven resource and manpower intensive for the U.S. military. The various approaches taken in both conflicts have had successes and failures. The panel will analyze those successes and failures of civil-military cooperation and the effectiveness of the whole-of-government approach in both theaters of operation. The panel will attempt to draw lessons with direct relevance to professional military education and pre-deployment training, comparing both strategic and operational environments. Moderator: Dr. Richard Vengroff, Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of Political Science, Kennesaw State University Panelists: Mr. Doug Brooks, President, International Stability Operations Association Mr. William Flavin, Division Chief, Doctrine, Concept, Education & Training, Peacekeeping & Stability Operations Institute, U.S. Army War College Colonel (ret.) Christopher J. Holshek, U.S. Army (Reserve) Civil Affairs Dr. Greg Meyjes, Chair, Department of Inclusive Education, Kennesaw State University