Marshall Center Supports USAREUR Senior Leader Conference

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Marshall Center Supports USAREUR Senior Leader Conference

Marshall Center Supports USAREUR Senior Leader Conference

By Dr. Sebastian von Münchow
College of International and Security Studies
George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN (Sept. 11, 2020) – The Marshall Center faculty supported the senior leader conference of general officers led by the U.S. Army Europe Commanding General Lt. Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli.

The Marshall Center’s faculty organized a panel focusing on the European security environment. Minding physical distance, the event took place in the grand plenary of the Marshall Center.

Dr. Andrew Michta, the dean of Marshall Centers College of International Security Studies, Dr. Valbona Zeneli, the Chair of Marshall Center’s Strategic Initiatives Department, and Dr. Sebastian von Münchow, the director of the European Security Seminar East, engaged with 50 U.S. general officers and their spouses in an interactive panel.

They began with a “tour d’horizon” on the challenges to European security, great power competition, the economic developments due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the increased Chinese interests in the European continent, transatlantic cooperation, and the important role of Germany for strengthening transatlantic ties.

The Marshall Center professors debated actively with the visitors on the challenges and opportunities to decouple from China, Germany’s ambitious goals to preside over the European Union’s Council until the end of the year and how to boost European Union and NATO cooperation.

After the panel discussion, Cavoli turned to the audience and said, “I want to thank the three Marshall Center professors for their valuable insights they shared with us. Ladies and Gentlemen, you have just gained an idea about the academic value of the Marshall Center, and its unique role to train partners and friends on security studies.”

“We truly valued the opportunity to engage with this senior group, and also to showcase the Marshall Center,” Michta said. “The questions and the give-and-take during the discussion will help us further hone our programs to make sure we continue to meet the needs of our U.S. and German stakeholders.”

“It was terrific to interact with the esteemed group of general officers and senior leaders, and gain their perspectives on the most important security issues facing the European continent,” said Zeneli. 

“I was amazed by the interest and eagerness of this group to ask the very relevant questions related to the contemporary security environment,” von Münchow said.  “I liked this honest and open exchange of views, and I think the three of us enjoyed being a part of a live panel after six months of virtual events.”