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Israel's Counter-Terrorism Experience: Preparing for the Next Generation of Threat Scenarios
The conference was organized by the National Strategy Forum, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and the Consulate of Israel to the Midwest. It featured three distinguished speakers from the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT). The speakers focused on three strategic issues: global terrorism trends, the interconnectivity of Hezbollah with international criminal organizations and Iran, and radicalization techniques on the web.
A conference report is available here.
No More Secrets: National Security Strategies for a Transparent World
The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security, in conjunction with the National Strategy Forum and the Office of National Counter-intelligence Executive conducted a workshop on an emerging issue: the world is becoming open source and is threatened by the proposition that there may be no more enduring, precious secrets. The recent WikiLeaks information dumps are one indication of this trend, as is corporate espionage. How should governments and the private sector adapt? How can US security policy uphold its mandate to protect a transparent and accountable society while remaining cognizant of the threat from prying eyes?
Click here to read the post-conference report: No More Secrets: National Security Strategies for a Transparent World.
Asymmetrical Warfare and International Law in the 21st Century
In October 2010, the International Human Rights Law Institute of DePaul University and the National Strategy Forum convened a conference in Chicago on the emerging trends in international law. To combat non-state actors and asymmetrical threats across the globe, states are considering new legal tools that adapt to the changed realities on the ground.
Click here to read the post-conference report:
Asymmetrical Warfare and International Law in the 21st Century.
National Security Threats in Cyberspace
In 2009, the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security and the National Strategy Forum convened to hold a joint conference on the issue of cybersecurity. This conference was part of the McCormick Foundation's Conference Series. To download the conference report in PDF format, click here.
From Gun Violence to Civic Health: A "Whole of City" Approach to Creating Chicago's Future
Project Organized and Conducted by McCormick Foundation; visit the
McCormick Foundation website to learn more about this important project.
Read the full report, "From Gun Violence to Civic Health"
Due Process and Terrorism: A Post-Workshop Report
Workshop conducted by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security and the National Strategy Forum
Underwritten by the McCormick Tribune Foundation.
Lawsuits arising out of the detention of “enemy combatants” at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, are set to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in December 2007 ( Boumediene v. Bush (06-1195) and Al Odah v. U.S. (06-1196)). Issues include whether the Military Commissions Act of 2006 precludes the habeas corpus jurisdiction of the federal courts, and whether Guantanamo Bay detainees’ indefinite military detention as “enemy combatants” is unlawful, requiring the grant of habeas relief. These questions present a host of other complicated and politically charged issues ranging from the scope of review afforded by the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005, the enforceability of the Geneva Conventions, and the scope of detainees’ right of access to the courts.
In summary, what is the best way to prosecute alleged terrorists? Can we wipe the proverbial slate clean and reach some agreement regarding the way forward? The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security and the National Strategy Forum gathered a group of experts for an October 2007 workshop in Washington, DC to discuss these issues. The Due Process and Terrorism workshop and the publication of this report were underwritten by the McCormick Tribune Foundation.
To view/download the report, click here (.PDF file, opens in new window)
Understanding the Mission of U.S. International Broadcasting
McCormick Tribune Conference Series Conference Report
In April 2007, the McCormick Tribune Foundation, with the Hudson Institute, convened a conference on the subject of U.S. International Broadcasting. During the Cold War, this kind of broadcasting (Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe, Voice of America) was an important strategic tool of U.S. foreign policy. In recent years, funding has been cut, programming has been reorganized with emphasis on American pop music and other entertainment. We must reestablish the link between our foreign policy and strategic communication objectives, and utilize new technologies to enhance and further our reach.
To view/download the post-conference report, click here (.PDF file, opens in new window)
Civic Leaders Speak Out About Emergency Preparedness
Workshop Convened by the McCormick Tribune Foundation and the National Strategy Forum
February 22, 2007
McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum , Chicago, Illinois
To increase awareness and to receive feedback from community leaders on Chicago's capacity to respond to a major catastrophic incident, the McCormick Tribune Foundation and the National Strategy Forum convened a workshop with nearly 100 civic and business leaders from Chicagoland in February 2007 at the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum. Ideas on educating the public regarding emergency preparedness and partnering with the public and private sectors to promote civilian preparedness are included in a report on the workshop that can be accessed by clicking here (.PDF file, opens in new window).
Understanding the Privatization of National Security
McCormick Tribune Conference Series Conference Report
Conducted by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security and the National Strategy Forum
Sponsored by the McCormick Tribune Foundation
On May 10-12, 2006, experts from the private sector, government, military, law enforcement, public health, and academia met at the McCormick Tribune Foundation Cantigny Conference Center in Wheaton, Illinois to discuss the implications of the trend toward the privatization of national security and related functions traditionally performed by the government and the military.
The following issues were discussed:
- Factors that have impelled the increased utilization of Private Security Companies (PSCs) and Private Military Companies (PMCs)
- Negative and positive factors associated with governmental reliance on PSCs and PMCs
- Red tape issues: Are there missions that only the government should do? What missions should/could be outsourced to PSCs and PMCs?
- Policy making for government-PSC/PMC issues
- Legal and accountability issues; self-regulation mechanisms; and Congressional oversight and the need for new legislation
- Ethical issues regarding the government-private security provider relationship
- The use of PSCs and PMCs for domestic security including critical infrastructure protection, catastrophic terrorism incidents, natural disasters, and border security (in lieu of state national guard troops)
- Lessons learned from the military-PSC/PMC relationship that can be applied to their future use for various security missions
To access the post-conference report, click here (.PDF file, opens in new window)
Forging an Iran Strategy
Convened by the American Foreign Policy Council and the McCormick Tribune Foundation
Sponsored by the McCormick Tribune Foundation
August 15, 2006
Excerpt from the Executive Summary:
“The global threat posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran is mounting. In defiance of United Nations (UN) resolutions, the Iranian regime is developing a nuclear weapon capability . . . Iran is also actively expanding its ballistic missile arsenal, and will soon be capable of holding at risk targets far beyond the Middle East [and] the Iranian regime remains the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism . . . So far, however, the United States has not formulated a comprehensive strategy to address this complex challenge.”
On August 15, 2006, the National Strategy Forum participated in a workshop convened by the American Foreign Policy Council and the McCormick Tribune Foundation at the foundation’s Cantigny Estate in Wheaton, Illinois. The members of the working group included government, media, think tanks, and the private sector to discuss potential US strategies to confront the Iranian threat.
To access a copy of the report, Forging and Iran Strategy, click here (.PDF file, opens in new window)
Law Amid the Ruins: Doing Business After Disaster
McCormick Tribune Conference Series Conference Report
Conducted by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security and the National Strategy Forum
Sponsored by the McCormick Tribune Foundation
Written By Lauren Bean
On May 11-13, 2005, experts from the government, business, legal, law enforcement, emergency responder, public health, public works and non-profit sectors met at the McCormick Tribune Foundation Cantigny Conference Center in Wheaton, Illinois to discuss continuity of operations (COOP) for the public and private sectors in the event of a catastrophic incident – an event that would have a widespread, potentially disastrous impact on the US critical infrastructure including medical, communication, transportation, financial, commercial, utility, and trade services.
Conference participants identified issues, raised questions and offered suggestions regarding US emergency preparedness, response and recovery planning for a catastrophic incident.
To access the post-conference report, click here (.PDF file, opens in new window)
Counterterrorism Technology and Privacy
McCormick Tribune Conference Series Conference Report
Conducted by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security and the National Strategy Forum
Sponsored by the McCormick Tribune Foundation
Excerpt from the Foreword, written by Richard Behrenhausen, former President and CEO of the McCormick Tribune Foundation
“A national debate has flared over the past few years in the effort to reconcile two equally important – and sometimes conflicting – goals, keep the country safe from terrorism and protect citizens’ expectations of privacy. But does having more safety necessarily mean having less privacy? And in what ways has the emergence of high-tech tools in all facets of our society changed the very notion of anonymity?”
In June 2004, at the McCormick Tribune Foundation’s Cantigny Conference Center in Wheaton, Illinois, experts gathered from various fields – civil libertarians, lawyers, academics, federal law enforcement and security agency officials, members of the media, and former Members of Congress – to discuss an array of issues including emerging techniques in data mining and surveillance, and how technology could be used to protect civil liberties as well as provide counterterrorism intelligence.
To access the post-conference report, click here (.PDF file, opens in new window)
School Safety in the 21 st Century: Adapting to New Security Challenges Post-9/11
Conference Report
Conducted by the National Strategy Forum
Sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
By Lauren Bean and Richard E. Friedman
The likelihood of a terrorist attack in any American community is incalculable. There has not been a catastrophic terrorism incident within the US since September 11, 2001, and the hope is that another attack will not occur in the future. However, speculation may become reality without warning. There is one certainty: all parts of the US critical infrastructure are vulnerable, including schools and the communities they serve.
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation sponsored a conference organized by the National Strategy Forum in October 2003 entitled “Schools: Prudent Preparation for a Catastrophic Terrorism Incident” in Washington, DC that addressed how schools can prepare for a catastrophic terrorism incident (CTI) – an event that has a profound effect nationally, regionally, and in local communities. These same principles can also be applied to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, etc..
To access the conference report, click here (.PDF file, opens in new window)
Prudent Preparation for a Mass Casualty Incident
A handbook for civilian preparedness for a catastrophic incident
In February 2003, the National Strategy Forum published a brief, comprehensive guide for individuals and families to help them understand and prepare for a catastrophic incident.
To access the handbook, click here (.PDF file, opens in new window)