On September 25, 2024, policymakers, strategists and media influencers gathered in Washington, DC for a conference to debate and discuss America’s role in the world today, and what it can be in the future.
Representatives of 41 nations and college students from schools in both California and Washington, DC joined 17 speakers to participate in the Richard Nixon Foundation’s Grand Strategy Summit.
A livestream feed on both YouTube and X virtually extended the reach with as many of 6,800 people watching — at the same time.
A conversation between Ambassador Robert C. O’Brien, 27th National Security Adviser and Chairman of the Richard Nixon Foundation’s Board of Directors, and Jim Byron, President and CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation, opened the Summit. The conversation focused on an analysis of the state of the world today including the alignment of authoritarian regimes, investing in strategic alliances and America’s military capabilities, weapons procurement and readiness. Ambassador O’Brien noted that while America is not in decline it needs strong leadership to confront and deter the many challenges facing the world today.
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Four sessions and a luncheon keynote continued the discussion of American foreign policy.
Building a More Just Society at Home
Participants:
Robert Wilkie, 10th Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Under Secretary of Defense, 2017-2018
Alex Wong, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for North Korea
Matthew Continetti, Moderator, Director of Domestic Policy at the American Enterprise Institute
This panel dove into how domestic reform can be foundational to American national security. The panelists gave examples of President Nixon’s strategic, long-term mindset that led to reform in education, energy, healthcare, veterans’ affairs and civil rights while discussing how a Nixonian domestic model might be applied today to issues ranging from energy and technological innovation to immigration.
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Theaters of War and Great Power Competition
Participants:
Nadia Schadlow, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
Matthew Pottinger, Former Deputy National Security Adviser
Carrie Filipetti, Executive Director, Vandenberg Coalition
Eli Lake, Moderator, Journalist for The Free Press and Host of Re-Education Podcast
Panelists discussed American interests both now and in the future, considering ongoing conflict around the world. Topics covered included the emerging threat of cybersecurity, building coalitions, and strengthening deterrence and de-escalation. Much attention was paid to the importance of securing America’s supply chain and understanding the role ideology can play with adversaries.
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Keynote: Lt. Gen (ret.) Keith Kellogg in-conversation with Fox News Contributor Katie Pavlich
General Keith Kellogg joined Katie Pavlich to offer a vision of the ideal role of the United States in the world. Drawing from his experience in the military, serving as National Security Adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, and his current work with the American First Policy Institute, General Kellogg stressed the importance of effective leadership in waging peace.
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Strengthening America’s Alliances in the Free World
Participants:
Amb. (Ret.) Kelley E. Currie, Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Economic and Social Council
Christopher Nixon Cox, CEO of Lightswitch Capital
Aaron MacLean, Moderator, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute and Host of the School of War podcast
This panel explored the state of America’s alliances and relationships within the context of a multipolar, post-Cold War world. Accounting for a nuanced view of alliances, panelists discussed how alliances demonstrate accountability with both allies and adversaries, and talked through complexities of working with allies who do not share the same value systems. The panel coalesced around the example of President Nixon’s support for Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, as one that demonstrated both moral and strategic benefits for the U.S. and the entire Middle Eastern region.
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Artificial Intelligence and Energy Policy as Grand Strategy
Participants:
Mark Mills, Director of the National Center for Energy Analytics
Brian J. Cavanaugh, Senior Vice President, American Global Strategies LLC
Arthur Herman, Moderator, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
President Nixon’s Project Independence was a forward-thinking response to the energy crisis of the 1970s with a goal of energy self-sufficiency for the United States. This panel explored how to, similarly, be forward-thinking today by using artificial intelligence to create a long term energy policy that emphasizes both national and economic security. Panelists discussed clean energy within this context, as well as how to align AI and energy production, and the impact of regulatory restrictions on energy production.
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To stay involved in the conversation on the ongoing and ever-changing role of American leadership in the world, follow the Nixon Foundation’s social channels (@nixonfoundation) and plan to join the Foundation in DC for the 2025 Grand Strategy Summit.