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CNP Analyst particpates in Forum on Washington-based Think Tanks

On April 27, 2009 CNP's Zachary Warrender participated in forum on Washington-based think tanks sponsored by Elderhostel. Warrender addressed the group on 21st Century Defense Challenges, discussing a variety of topics including CNP's Future Force Program, its defense report, Agility Across the Spectrum: A Future Force Blueprint, and how defense challenges have changed since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
 
Warrender began by outlining the work that goes into producing a major report- from expert interviews, to advisory group meetings, to editing multiple drafts. He then described how studies such as CNP's defense report serve as a resource for policy makers; and how follow up events held by the Center serve as a forum where policymakers can come discuss and debate the ideas presented.  

Warrender then framed the body of the discussion by outlining Cold War era defense planning, where the adversary, likely battlefields, tactics, and weapons were well known. He argued that this contrasts vividly with the more fluid defense challenges of today, where the United States military is expected to fight in regions as diverse as remote mountainous regions, the high seas, to cyberspace and everywhere in between. He then discussed the tension that exists today between preparing for conventional conflicts similar to Cold War scenarios or preparing for the irregular campaigns we are fighting today. He concluded by highlighting some of the Agility Across the Spectrum recommendations and discussing the major weapons systems discussed in the report that are currently in the headlines.