Over the next four weeks, 62 participants in the Strategy and Defense Policy (SDP) Course will analyze and discuss theories and concepts in preparation for the resident phase of the course, which will be hosted in Washington, DC. Their unique professional experiences, as well as their cultural backgrounds, is expected to enrich the level of discussions and the understanding of overarching security and defense themes in the Americas, as each participant contributes a distinct perspective to the critical thinking process. Through the use of Blackboard, the online education platform, participants from 22 countries across the Hemisphere will come together to establish a common framework of reference through the reading and analysis of targeted bibliography and lectures. Each participant has been assigned to one of four working groups led by CHDS Professors Dr. Patricia Escamilla-Hamm, Dr. Jaime García, Dr. Michael Gold-Biss, and General (ret.) Carlos Ospina. The online phase of the SDP course is carried out through a combination of tools such as chat room sessions, blogs, document exchanges, and also several livestream videoconferences with CHDS faculty. CHDS Professor Manuel Lora has been appointed the Director for this year’s SDP.