By College of International Security Studies
George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany (March 25, 2021) – The Marshall Center conducted a second German-American Regional Security Seminar with 32 German and Germany-based U.S. participants at the major and lieutenant colonel level 15-19 March. 

This iteration ran in conjunction with an online version of the Center’s European Security Seminar-East where participants forged useful personal contacts as they exchanged perspectives on transatlantic and German-American relations in respect to Russia and regional challenges in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. 

Key take-aways included the need for transatlantic unity toward Russia despite divergent economic interests, updated mental mapping of the “post-Soviet” region, further attention to non-traditional challenges in this area, and pragmatic policy approaches that distinguish strategic understanding from sympathy.  

The ability to run the course as a live in-residence course under COVID conditions by focusing on participants coming from within Germany, contributed greatly to its success. The enthusiastic reception by both German and American commands across Germany confirmed the strong demand for such an opportunity. 

Video welcomes by the Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe and Africa Army U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli and Air and Space Operations Center Commander German Air Force Lt. Gen. Klaus Habersetzer further showed high-level support.

In leveraging synergies with the ESS-East course, GARSS demonstrated the Marshall Center’s capacity for innovative response in a dynamic security environment.