2019/2020 Season
Reva Goujon — October 20, 2019
"The Global Inflection Point"
Reva Goujon, Stratfor VP of Global Analysis, provided a blockbuster kickoff for our new season, addressing the powerful geopolitical risks and forces reshaping the global order - precisely what we wanted to frame the presentations that follow.
Her slide presentation can be accessed here in PDF format: revagoujon_presentation.pdf
"The Global Inflection Point"
Reva Goujon, Stratfor VP of Global Analysis, provided a blockbuster kickoff for our new season, addressing the powerful geopolitical risks and forces reshaping the global order - precisely what we wanted to frame the presentations that follow.
Her slide presentation can be accessed here in PDF format: revagoujon_presentation.pdf
Michael Kofman — November 17, 2019
"US and Russia: No Plan? No Strategy? No Problem!"
As one of our members commented: "It was a rare treat to hear Michael Kofman, one of the nation's leading experts on Putin's plans to regain the global status he feels the US stripped from Russia in the 1990s. Mike took us on a journey inside Russia's spoiler tactics in Syria, Ukraine (where he was born), the middle east and now North Korea, election interference plans for 2020, its grand ambitions in the Arctic, and more—perspectives we would get nowhere else in the Desert. Pretty good stuff! He spoke clearly in an entertaining presentation while we enjoyed a tasty dinner in a comfortable setting. High marks!
"US and Russia: No Plan? No Strategy? No Problem!"
As one of our members commented: "It was a rare treat to hear Michael Kofman, one of the nation's leading experts on Putin's plans to regain the global status he feels the US stripped from Russia in the 1990s. Mike took us on a journey inside Russia's spoiler tactics in Syria, Ukraine (where he was born), the middle east and now North Korea, election interference plans for 2020, its grand ambitions in the Arctic, and more—perspectives we would get nowhere else in the Desert. Pretty good stuff! He spoke clearly in an entertaining presentation while we enjoyed a tasty dinner in a comfortable setting. High marks!
Paul Williams — January 12, 2020
"Global Cybersecurity Threats Facing America"
As the Chief Technology Officer of Houston-based Clarity Consulting Corporation, Paul has 44 years of breakthrough innovation in cyber security, cryptography, artificial intelligence, high speed databases, software quality test engineering, electronics, communications, mechanical engineering, weapons development and defense related technologies.
"Global Cybersecurity Threats Facing America"
As the Chief Technology Officer of Houston-based Clarity Consulting Corporation, Paul has 44 years of breakthrough innovation in cyber security, cryptography, artificial intelligence, high speed databases, software quality test engineering, electronics, communications, mechanical engineering, weapons development and defense related technologies.
L.Col Dakota Wood — February 9, 2020
"America's Military Preparedness in Peril?"
L.Col. Dakota Wood (ret) of the Heritage Foundation will be headlining the "National Security Threats and Strengths" segment of our 2020 season on February 9, 2020. Col. Wood is an extraordinary voice advocating American global military strength as essential in maintaining world order. He is an exceptional addition to our 2020 season and provides yet more credit toward building WACD's reputation as the Desert's leading source for national and global perspectives on world affairs.
"America's Military Preparedness in Peril?"
L.Col. Dakota Wood (ret) of the Heritage Foundation will be headlining the "National Security Threats and Strengths" segment of our 2020 season on February 9, 2020. Col. Wood is an extraordinary voice advocating American global military strength as essential in maintaining world order. He is an exceptional addition to our 2020 season and provides yet more credit toward building WACD's reputation as the Desert's leading source for national and global perspectives on world affairs.
Adm. Scott Swift — March 8, 2020
"Forces Influencing America from the Pacific to the South China Sea
Admiral Scott Swift (Ret), a retired admiral in the United States Navy, served as the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet from May 27, 2015 to May 17, 2018. He previously served as the director of Navy Staff in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations. On September 25, 2017, Swift announced that he would retire after he was notified by the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm John Richardson, that he would not be nominated to take over leadership of the United States Pacific Command, the inter-branch theater command for the Pacific region. Swift is among several flag officers to be removed or announce an early retirement following a series of deadly accidents involving Navy vessels in the Pacific Fleet in 2017.
"Forces Influencing America from the Pacific to the South China Sea
Admiral Scott Swift (Ret), a retired admiral in the United States Navy, served as the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet from May 27, 2015 to May 17, 2018. He previously served as the director of Navy Staff in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations. On September 25, 2017, Swift announced that he would retire after he was notified by the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm John Richardson, that he would not be nominated to take over leadership of the United States Pacific Command, the inter-branch theater command for the Pacific region. Swift is among several flag officers to be removed or announce an early retirement following a series of deadly accidents involving Navy vessels in the Pacific Fleet in 2017.
Be sure to check out Event Photos from all of our events!
