On Monday, October 15, 2018 the Perry Center’s biggest academic course to date, Strategy and Defense Policy (SDP), began. Over 90 military and civilian officials representing 17 countries in the Western Hemisphere traveled to Washington, DC to begin the 2 week residential phase of the course. Prior to their arrival, course participants have been engaging in group activities revolving around readings and discussions online.

Led by course Director Dr. David Spencer, Deputy Course Director Dr. William Godnick, and facilitators Dr. Maria Teresa Belandria, Mr. Walter Earle, Dr. Carlos Ojeda Bennett, Professor Pat Paterson, and Dr. Fabiana Perera, SDP examines the links and different perspectives regarding security challenges at the national, regional, and global levels. The course will also address security and defense policy formulation, decision-making implementation, and control and oversight.

Throughout their time in Washington, DC, course participants will be able to engage with distinguished defense and security professionals by participating in plenary lectures, small group discussions, and group exercises.