PUBLISHED

Said@Duke: Bringing Military Insights to Campus

Steve Hartsoe

On Veterans Day, Duke Today presents a brief review of recent campus speakers addressing topics related to the military and national security. Below are some of those speakers and notable excerpts from their talks.

For more Said@Duke, click here.

Protecting the Constitution

Gen. Stanley McChrystal: What is happening now is different. It is a threat to the basic fabric of our democracy.

Retired U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who commanded U.S. and International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan, spoke at Duke in January 2019. His leadership of the Joint Special Operations Command is credited with the capture of Saddam Hussein in 2003, and the death of the Iraqi Al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in 2006.

 

Ballistic Missile Policy

Gen. Lori Robinson: We are well prepared to intercept anything that comes toward the United States

General Lori J. Robinson, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), spoke on Feb. 12. With a military career of 26 years of decorated service, Gen. Robinson is the first-ever female combatant commander.

 

On NATO

Timothy Sayle: NATO Exists as a sort of democracy insurance

In October 2019, Timothy Sayle, assistant professor of history and director of the International Relations Program at the University of Toronto, spoke about the history of NATO and the postwar global order.

 

National Security and Technology

Lisa Disbrow: I am not too much of a pessimist on technology and where it's headed.

In April 2019, Lisa Disbrow, former undersecretary of the U.S. Air Force, spoke about her experience working in the Pentagon as a civilian.

 

On Leadership

Michele Flournoy: We are growing the next generation of leaders for this country.

Michèle Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense for policy, spoke in April 2019 on the importance of mission, passion and public service while offering career advice to students.

 

The Value of Military History

Rick Atkinson: If you are ignorant of military history then you are ill-equpped to deal with the wars of the 21st century

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson spoke to an audience at the Sanford School on Tuesday evening about how World War II shaped US character and the importance of military history.

 

Military, Congress & Valor

Rep. Seth Moulton: We deserve a congress that reflects our diverse country

U.S. Congressman and decorated Marine Corps veteran Seth Moulton (D-MA) spoke on Feb. 22, 2018, about the country’s future. Before his election to the House in 2014, he served with distinction in the U.S. military, completing four tours in Iraq and receiving both the Bronze Star and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for valor.