The Future of Transatlantic Security Relations

March 8, 2006, Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, College Station Texas

Conference Scope and Themes:

Are we at a defining moment--requiring new policy and strategic thinking--for the future of transatlantic security relations? Significant national security concerns in U.S.-European relations provides the opportunity for assessing transatlantic security issues. Critical currrent issues include the repositioning of U.S. forces in Europe; U.S.-European cooperative efforts in countering terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; improving joint efforts for economic and homeland security; the evolving role of NATO; and the future path for improving transatlantic security relations. Texas A&M University’s Bush School, George Bush Presidential Library Foundation, and European Union Center of Excellence are partnering with the U.S. Army's Dwight D. Eisenhower National Security Series and the Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute for a conference convening a distinguished group of international experts to examine important dimensions of this dynamic relationship. Conference panels will examine U.S. and European foreign and defense policies and the potential for forging a new consensus on U.S. and European foreign policy and military strategy, planning and operational activities. The conference sessions will include open invitations for Texas A&M and other regional university faculty, students, and community members. The conference will include public forums for discussing: U.S. basing realignments; along with U.S. and European initiatives for expanding complementary roles for regional and out-of-region security, stability, peacekeeping and power projection. The conference will advance the research and study of key national security issues, engage invited participants in sharing their expertise, and inform interested community members in the Southwestern U.S. to develop a deeper awareness and understanding of key transatlantic security issues facing the U.S. and Europe at this critical time in international affairs.