2019 WMD Center Symposium – Countering WMD at 25: A Changing World

Senior officials and experts will gather at the 2019 Symposium on Countering WMD 19-20 June 2019 to discuss lessons learned and current choices before the United States, allies and partners in this changing world on nuclear weapons policy and posture, arms control and nonproliferation, biodefense, emerging technologies, and requirements, plans, concepts and capabilities for countering WMD.

This year’s symposium marks a quarter-century since the launch of the Defense Counterproliferation Initiative (DCI) and will focus on the threats, challenges and opportunities ahead of us. The DCI guided the U.S. Department of Defense in confronting new WMD dangers posed by rogue states and terrorists in the post-Cold War world, but great power competition once again looms large among WMD challenges even as rogue state and terrorist threats remain.

Highlighted speakers include:

• VADM F. J. Roegge, USN, 16th President, National Defense University
• Mr. Brendan Melley, Director, Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, National Defense University
• The Honorable Adam Smith, U.S. Representative and Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. House of Representatives
• Dr. Amy Nelson, Research Fellow, Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, National Defense University
• Ms. Rebeccah Heinrichs, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
• Ms. Alexandra Bell, Senior Policy Director, Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
• Mr. Paul Bernstein, Distinguished Research Fellow, Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, National Defense University
• Mr. Gregory Weaver, Deputy Director for Strategic Stability, Joint Staff (J-5)
• Mr. Thomas Troyano, Director, Strategic Deterrence and Capabilities, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, U.S. Department of Defense
• The Honorable Charles Verdon, Ph.D., Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration, U.S. Department of Energy
• GEN Richard D. Clarke, USA, Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (invited)
• Dr. Rebecca Gibbons,Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Project on Managing the Atom and International Security Program
• Dr. Shane Smith, Senior Research Fellow, Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, National Defense University
• Mr. Frederick Pellissier, Chief, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Division,Strategy, Plans, and Policy Directorate, United States Central Command
• Mr. Robert Peters, Director, Global Futures Office, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
• Ms. Laura Gross, Director, Office of Chemical and Biological Weapons Affairs, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, Department of State,
• COL Jeffrey Spear, USA, Division Chief, Countering WMD, J5, Joint Staff
• Dr. Gerald Epstein, Distinguished Research Fellow, Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, National Defense University
• The Honorable Robert Kadlec, M.D.,Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Ms. Jessica Fantinato, Director, Office of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Dr. Kavita Berger, Principal Scientist, Gryphon Scientific
• Dr. Matthew Ferguson, Senior Analyst, Office of National Intelligence, Australia
• Mr. Boris Toucas, Political Counselor on Strategic and Security Issues, Embassy of France
• Mr. Peter Watkins, Former Director General, Strategy and International, Ministry of Defence, United Kingdom
• Dr. Margaret Sloane, Senior Research Fellow, Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, National Defense University
• Dr. Samantha Arnett, Director, WMD Terrorism Threats, U.S. National Security Council Staff
• Mr. Tim Sheeran,Deputy Director WMD-CT, National Counterterrorism Center, U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence
• Mr. Patrick Tucker, Editor, Defense One
• Ms. Jenny Town, Research Analyst and Managing Editor and Producer of 38 North, Stimson Center
• Mr. Andre Watson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Dr. Natasha Bajema, Senior Research Fellow, Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction
• RDML Joseph DiGuardo, Jr., USN, Director, Countering Weapons of Mass DestructionFusion Cell, U.S. Special Operations Comman (invited)

Through 03 June 2019, the early registration fee of $110.00 will apply. Starting 04 June 2019, a fee of $125.00 will be charged.  The fee covers the costs of catering and other administrative expenses.

The National Defense University maintains a strict policy of non-attribution . Without the expressed permission of the speakers, nothing will be attributed directly or indirectly in the presence of anyone who was not authorized to attend the conference.

PLEASE NOTE: The overall classification of the symposium will be SECRET//REL FVEY, FRA. Some sessions will be UNCLASSIFIED. Symposium registration is limited to personnel from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and France who possess the requisite security clearance.