Aspen Security Forum

Legendary CIA Director Richard Helms titled his memoir, “A Look Over My Shoulder,” to describe his extraordinary career in in the intelligence community. As that book title suggests, perhaps the spymaster’s toughest task is to try to peer around corners to get a sense of threats that are now seen only dimly, if seen at all. Having been surprised by the speed with which Kim Jong Un developed the nuclear capability to threaten the United States and the extent of Bashir al-Assad’s remaining chemical weapons stocks, to cite two recent examples, what else is on the horizon that could pose a danger to America and our interests around the globe?

Security experts agree that Russia is already interfering in this year’s mid-terms.

Though efforts are underway to stop them, what more can be done to put an end to Russia’s interference in our elections and democratic institutions?

The nation’s second most senior law enforcement official describes the work of the Attorney General’s Cyber-Digital Task Force and makes an exclusive policy announcement. A panel of prominent former government officials and industry leaders reacts to that announcement.

Kirstjen Nielsen, the Homeland Security Secretary, briefs us on the security challenges the nation faces and how the Department and its partners, domestic and foreign, are working together to meet them. 

The FBI Director describes the Bureau’s role in national security generally and cyberterrorism and counterintelligence specifically.

Is the "two state solution" dead once and for all? The panel will discuss the prospects for peace between Israel and the Palestinians with President Trump in the White House. Panelists include Aaron David Miller, Vice President for New Initiatives and Distinguished Scholar from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Natan Sachs, Director of the Center for Middle East Policy for The Brookings Institution, Edward Walker, former US Ambassador to Israel and Husam Zomlot, Strategic Affairs Advisor to the President of the State of Palestine.

The prospect of nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula has never been higher. The Trump Administration has announced, ominously, that "strategic patience" has been a conspicuous failure and that if the Chinese will not or cannot "solve" the North Korean problem, the United States will. Short of war, can Kim Jong Un be stopped?

The President's tough talk on China during the campaign has given way to a budding “bromance” with Xi Jinping. Will the mutual charm offensive last and, if so, what are its implications for resolving the threats from North Korea, the buildup in the South China Sea, and cyber espionage?

President Trump maintains that millions of people voted illegally in the 2016 election. Was Vladimir Putin one of them? If so, beyond influencing the American election, is Russia working to undermine the entire Western liberal democratic order? If so, what can and should we do about it?

As the State Department threatens Iran, while, at the same time certifying that it is complying with the terms of the deal, this panel will weigh and debate the strategic pros and cons of reneging on it. Panelists include Antony Blinken, Former Deputy Secretary of State, Joseph Cirincione, President of Ploughshares Fund, Kori Schake, Research Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, Alex Vatanka, Senior Fellow at Middle East Institute. The discussion will be moderated by Elise Labott, Global Affairs Correspondent for CNN. 

The new CIA Director has his work cut out for him. Contrary to its depiction in spy novels, intelligence is more of an art than a science. So, advising policymakers on national security threats is not easy under the best of circumstances – let alone with the multiple threats America currently faces. It is even harder when there are crises on every side. Director Pompeo explains how he is meeting the unique challenges he faces in his new role. Bret Stephens, columnist for The New York Times, moderated the discussion.

Ever since 9/11, homeland security and counterterrorism professionals have been kept up at night by knowing that the odds against us are overwhelming. They have to "get it right" day in and day out; terrorists need to succeed only once and the consequences of even one strike can be devastating. Thomas Bossert, new Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Adviser, talks with David Sanger from the New York Times, about how he wrestles with this elemental struggle.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain talks with journalist Lesley Stahl about what’s wrong with the Obama National Security Strategy. U.S. Senator McCain, along with other leaders on the United State’s Homeland Security front, spoke during the four-day Aspen Security Forum held at the Aspen Institute.

Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism - Four experts compare notes on strategies for fighting terrorism at its roots by winning hearts and minds.