The Senior Executive Seminar (SES) is a forum that allows for the in-depth exploration of international security issues. Participants include high-level government officials, general officers, senior diplomats, ambassadors, ministers, and parliamentarians. The SES format includes presentations by senior officials and recognized experts followed by discussions in seminar groups.
The 2010 sessions concentrate on the broad topics of narcotics trafficking and terrorism, and their impact on security in Europe and beyond. By considering these issues as different aspects of the broader theme of international security, the complex interdependencies in international and networked security can be more easily understood.
Participants are welcome to attend only one session, but those who attend both sessions will gain the maximum benefit from the wide-ranging discussions on these two key international security issues. They will also develop a collegial understanding of potential cooperative efforts that could improve future international security efforts. During both the winter and fall sessions, the nexus of narcotics trafficking, terrorism, and security will dominate the discussions.
2010 Senior Executive Seminars
SES 10-1: Countering Narcotics Trafficking: Challenges and Opportunities Jan. 20-29
The winter session will analyze one discrete aspect of the infamous “Unholy Trinity” of terrorism, international organized crime and corruption. Specifically, SES 10-1 will focus on the impact of narcotics trafficking on global and regional security. The seminar will open with a broad overview of current world-wide narcotics transit routes and examine some of the key dynamics associated with this problem. These include the relationship between criminal networks, organized crime and terrorist groups; the state of intelligence-sharing between countries and agencies; as well as the roles that law enforcement, the court system, border management and money laundering play in the overall process.
In today’s globalized environment, counter-narcotics programs create intricate interdependencies within the international community which must be managed on numerous levels. As a result, there will also be discussion on various regional approaches that have been implemented to combat this problem. This includes a closer look at the situation in Africa, Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe. In conclusion, we will spotlight those aspects of narcotics trafficking that pose the greatest security challenges, attempt to define which strategies and policies are successful, and determine which conditions are most conducive for success.
SES 10-9: Deepening Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism : Sept. 8-15
Nine years after 9/11 and seven years after that Iraq campaign, the international community has reached a point where it can work to narrow its fundamental divisions on how to counter terrorism and coordinate policies more closely to effectively fight this global threat. The advent of the Obama administration and Europe’s experience fighting home-grown terrorism – to include the London and Madrid bombings – have ushered in a period of increased pragmatism, a rethinking of tools and in general, a convergence of views across the Atlantic. The time has come to take stock and explore avenues of increased cooperation on counter-terrorism, being aware that international cooperation is key in fighting terrorism. The Marshall Center is ideally suited for such an undertaking.
Participants will first present and discuss the major counter-terrorism strategies and instruments of the U.S., the EU (including selected member-states) and other global partners as they have evolved in recent years. The focus is self-critical on lessons learned. They will then discuss issues about which consensus has not yet been reached such as root causes, the role of international law and international organizations, and criminal vs. military responses. The main objective is to pragmatically identify points of divergence and explore common ground. In the final, policy-oriented session, participants will seek solutions for improved, in-depth, practical cooperation for the future.
