On June 2, 2025, the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies launched the in-residence phase of its Countering Hybrid Threats in the Americas (CHTA) and Strategic Implications of Human Rights and Rule of Law (HR/ROL) courses, welcoming over 100 participants from 15 countries in the Western Hemisphere. These two concurrent courses bring together professionals in security and defense from throughout the hemisphere to examine the intersections between institutional legitimacy, democratic governance, and regional cooperation, as well as the challenges posed by transnational organized crime and extra-regional actors in the Americas.
Perry Center Director Dr. Paul Angelo
“Today, more than ever, interagency cooperation is key to successful operations,” said Perry Center Director Dr. Paul Angelo in his welcome remarks. “In these courses, we won’t be charting your navigation route—that part’s in your hands. Because what defines a strategic leader is not that they always know where they are going, but that they know how to correct their course, how to interpret the winds, and how to hold the rudder firmly in stormy times.”
The CHTA course addresses the convergence of state and non-state threats—from cyberattacks and disinformation to criminal-state alliances—that destabilize democratic societies. Participants will analyze the role of external actors like China, Russia, and Iran, study regional case examples, and develop policy proposals grounded in real-world challenges. Designed to move from theory to action, the course blends national perspectives, strategic analysis, and interagency dialogue to counter asymmetric threats and reinforce good governance in the Western Hemisphere.
The HRROL course will examine how respect for human rights and adherence to international humanitarian law enhances the legitimacy, effectiveness, and discipline of military forces across all domains. Anchored in longstanding US policy frameworks—such as the Leahy Laws, National Security Strategy, and DoD directives—it reinforces the priorities of the US Southern and Northern Commands. Through site visits, strategic exercises, and case studies, participants will explore how professionalism and ethical conduct are vital to mission success and warrior ethos.
