On May 5, the Center welcomed 53 participants from 17 countries throughout the Western Hemisphere to the first day of the Strategy and Defense Policy Course (SDP) residence phase. The students had already been participating in an online distance-learning phase for several weeks that included substantial reading and discussion, and they now begin a two-week intensive phase at the Perry Center that will include plenary lectures, small group discussions, two exams, and a group exercise. Professor Manuel Lora is the course director, supported by Professors Michael Gold-Biss, Carlos Ospina, Pat Paterson, Guillermo Pacheco, and Patricia Escamilla-Hamm who are functioning as facilitators.