Featured above: Major Kimberly Quinn from the Florida National Guard addressing WSDS 2022 participants.

DASD Daniel Erikson

The Perry Center’s 2022 Washington Security and Defense Seminar (WSDS) closed with two distinguished guests addressing local diplomats from the Americas on November 3. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere Daniel Erikson emphasized the need for resilient defense relationships that have the “flexibility to adapt to new challenges and ability to be sustained during periods of political change.” Discussions that lead to common understanding and the relationship building facilitated by the Perry Center in forums like WSDS contribute to this effort. Lt Gen Michael Plehn, President of National Defense University, noted the value of these relationships, saying “the best way to address regional security challenges is a team effort with a whole-of-government, whole-of-nations approach” and that “getting to know each other in advance of a crisis is priceless.”

Lt Gen Michael Plehn

The final day of the seminar also included discussions on key issues confronting the security and defense sector: relationships with subnational governments, corruption, climate change, and cyber vulnerabilities. We thank the National Guard Bureau, the Florida and Texas National Guards, George Mason University, US Army Cyber Institute, Center for Climate and Security, and the Department of Defense for their contributions to these important discussions.