Book Talk
To Build a Better World: Choices to End the Cold War and Create a Global Commonwealth
On Tuesday, October 8, the Clements Center, Strauss Center, Intelligence Studies Project and University of Texas History Department will host Professor Philip Zelikow, Professor of History at The University of Virginia, for a talk on his recently published book To Build a Better World: Choices to End the Cold War and Create a Global Commonwealth, co-written by Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
A Conversation on Middle East Security with Major General Amos Yadlin
On September 25, 2019, the Intelligence Studies Project, Strauss Center for International Security and Law, and Clements Center for National Security hosted Major General (ret.) Amos Yadlin for an evening conversation about Middle East security. General Yadlin is the Director of the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. He served previously as the head of Israel's Directorate of Military Intelligence. General Yadlin's biography is here. This event was co-sponsored by the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the University of Texas at Austin's Center for Middle Eastern Studies.
For event photographs, click here.
National Security Career Event
On September 10, 2019, ISP hosted The University of Texas at Austin's first National Security Career Event. Representatives of U.S. military, intelligence, and national security agencies were available to students throughout the day to discuss internship, part-time, and full-time employment opportunities. Participants included CIA, FBI, DIA, NGA, NSA, DHS, NCTC, the State Department, Army Futures Command, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), UT Army ROTC, and the Texas Army National Guard.
Expert Panel Discussion
Counterterrorism Since 9/11
On September 10, 2019, ISP hosted former CIA Director John Brennan, former Commander of the Special Operations Command Adm. (Ret) William McRaven, author and former NSC and State Department Official Farah Pandith, and former National Counterterrorism Center Director Nicholas Rasmussen for a discussion on U.S. counterterrorism policy at the University of Texas at Austin's Etter-Harbin Alumni Center.
Book Talk
Truth to Power: A History of the U.S. National Intelligence Council
Ambassador Robert Hutchings, the Walt and Elspeth Rostow Chair in National Security and Professor of Public Affairs at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and Dr. Gregory F. Treverton, Professor of the Practice of International Relations and Spatial Sciences at the University of Southern California, discussed their new book, Truth to Power: A History of the U.S. National Intelligence Council. This talk was co-sponsored by the Intelligence Studies Project, the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law, the Clements Center for National Security, and the LBJ School of Public Affairs Colloquium.
Information Wars: Social Media and Politics in Russia & Eastern Europe
On Thursday, April 25, the Strauss Center will co-sponsor a symposium on "Information Wars: Social Media and Politics in Russia & Eastern Europe" with CREEES, the Center for European Studies, and the Clements Center. This symposium will encourage a fruitful conversation about the role and impact of mainstream and social media—and in particular about information and disinformation wars—in political battles, trajectories, and outcomes in Russia and Eastern Europe. Speakers will also discuss the ways in which these processes and networks have had global impacts, such as in the 2016 US elections and beyond.
Russian Active Measures and the U.S. Response: Lessons from the Cold War
On Tuesday, April 23, 2019, the Intelligence Studies Project welcomed Seth G. Jones, Director of the Transnational Threats Project and a senior adviser to the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The event was co-sponsored by the Strauss Center and Clements Center.
This talk is available on the "Horns of a Dilemna" podcast here.
"Intelligence in Transition" Spring Symposium
On Thursday, March 28, 2019, the Intelligence Studies Project hosted its fifth annual Symposium on Intelligence in Transition. It featured a keynote address by the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Susan Gordon. This event was co-sponsored by the Strauss Center, Clements Center, and the LBJ School of Public Affairs.
Intelligence Reform: What Worked and Where to Go from Here
On Monday, January 30, 2019, the Intelligence Studies Project, Clements Center, and the Alexander Hamilton Society will host Gary Schmitt, Director of the Program on American Citizenship and Resident Scholar Strategic Studies at American Enterprise Institute and J. Paul Pope, Senior Fellow of the Intelligence Studies Project, for a conversation on "Intelligence Reform: What Worked and Where to Go from Here."
2018 Texas National Security Forum: "The Return of Great Power Competition"
On Friday, November 30, 2018, the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law, the Clements Center for National Security, and the Intelligence Studies Project were honored to hold the Fifth Annual Texas National Security Forum on "The Return of Great Power Competition."
VIDEO: An Evening With John Brennan
On Wednesday, October 24, the Intelligence Studies Project and the LBJ Library hosted an evening with former CIA Director John Brennan, speaking in conversation with Mark K. Updegrove, president and CEO of the LBJ Foundation.
Cybersecurity: Threats and Responses
On Tuesday, October 22, 2018, the Intelligence Studies Project and Strauss Center for International Security and Law welcomed George Barnes, Deputy Director of the National Security Agency, who spoke on cybersecurity threats and other national security challenges facing the United States at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs.
Evolution of Biodefense Policy
Dr. Robert Kadlec joined the Robert Strauss Center and the Intelligence Studies Project for a presentation on the evolution of biodefense policy on October 10, 2018. As the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Kadlec leads national preparedness and response efforts for medical and public health emergencies. The talk was part of the Strauss Center's Brumley Speaker Series and was co-sponsored by the Intelligence Studies Project.
The Threat Assessment: A Texas Tribune Festival Event
On Friday, September 28, UT Distinguished Scholar and ISP's Senior Advisor John Brennan participated as a panelist in the Texas Tribune Festival's "The Threat Assessment" panel. Brennan, a former CIA Director, was joined on the panel by former UT-System Chancellor (Admiral) William McRaven, Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Nick Rasmussen, and NBC's Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel. The panel's discussion was moderated by Professor William Inboden, Executive Director of the Clements Center for National Security.
Public Talk
Spies and unHoly Lies: How American Missionaries-Turned-Covert-Agents Helped Win World War II and Shape the Future of US Intelligence
On Thursday, September 13, 2018, ISP and the Clements Center for National Security welcomed Matthew Sutton, the Edward R. Meyer Distinguished Professor of History at Washington State University, for his public talk "Spies and unHoly Lies: How American Missionaries-Turned-Covert-Agents Helped Win World War II and Shape the Future of US Intelligence."
Select photos from the event may be found here.
Public Talk
Emerging Security Challenges and The Need for a Dynamic US Strategy in our New Era
On Thursday, September 6, 2018, the Clements Center for National Security will welcome Barry Pavel, Senior Vice President of the Atlantic Council, for a talk at The University of Texas at Austin.
Public Talk
Russia in the Middle East: It's Not All About Syria
On Tuesday, April 3, 2018, the Robert Strauss Center welcomes Peter Clement, Professional Practice at Columbia University, for a talk on Russia in the Middle East. The event is part of the Strauss Center's Brumley Speaker Series, and was free and open to the public.
Spring Symposium 2018
VIDEOS: U.S. Intelligence: Confronting 21st Century Challenges
The University of Texas at Austin's Intelligence Studies Project (ISP) hosted its Spring Symposium "U.S. Intelligence: Confronting 21st Century Challenges," on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center on campus. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats delivered the keynote address. Director Coats was introduced by Senator John Cornyn.
Public Talk
Weapons of Mass Deception: The Changing Cyber Landscape
On Tuesday, March 27, 2018, the Robert Strauss Center welcomed Amy Zegart, co-director of the Stanford Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) and Davies Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, for a talk on cybersecurity. The talk is part of the Strauss Center's Brumley Speaker Series.
Public Talk
Information Warfare: The Role of Covert Influence Operations
The Intelligence Studies Project, in partnership with the Strauss Center for International Security and Law and Clements Center for National Security, welcomed Dr. Arturo Munoz for a public talk on information warfare and covert influence operations.
Lunchtime Book Talk
OSS Operation Black Mail: One Woman's Covert War Against the Imperial Japanese Army
On Thursday, February 22, the Intelligence Studies Project and LBJ School's Faculty and Ph.D. Research Colloquium, in partnership with the Robert Strauss and Clements centers, welcomed Dr. Ann Todd for a public talk on her work OSS Operation Black Mail: One Woman's Covert War Against the Imperial Japanese Army.
A Conversation on Leadership with John O. Brennan, Adm. Bobby Inman, Julian Castro and Chancellor William McRaven
On Thursday, February 15, the Intelligence Studies Project, Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law, and Clements Center for National Security welcomed University Distinguished Scholar and former CIA Director John O. Brennan, Admiral Bobby Inman, Chancellor William McRaven and the Honorable Julian Castro for a panel discussion on leadership in the public sector. The panel was moderated by William Inboden, Executive Director of the Clements Center.
NGA Director Robert Cardillo on U.S. Intelligence Since 9/11: Where Its Been, Where Its Going
The Intelligence Studies Project, Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law, and Clements Center for National Security hosted Robert Cardillo, Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, for a campus visit on Tuesday, February 6.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Engagement in the Western Hemisphere
The University of Texas at Austin hosted U.S. Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson for an address on U.S. Engagement in the Western Hemisphere. This sold-out event, which was co-hosted by the Clements Center for National Security and the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law, was held on Thursday, February 1, from 1:00-2:00 pm in the Blanton Auditorium.
Public Talk
The Ethos of Public Service with John Brennan
The Intelligence Studies Project, Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law, and Clements Center for National Security hosted UT Distinguished Scholar and former CIA Director John O. Brennan for a campus visit from November 7-9, 2017.
Public Talk
Changing the Game: A Different Approach to Cybersecurity
On Friday, November 3, 2017, ISP and the Robert Strauss Center will welcome J. Michael Daniel, President of the Cyber Threat Alliance (CTA) and former Special Assistant to the President and White House Cybersecurity Coordinator, for a talk on cyber policy. The talk is part of the Strauss Center's Brumley Speaker Series. The event is free and open to the public.
Forum
VIDEO: Texas National Security Forum: Alliances and Partnerships in American National Security
The Intelligence Studies Project, Robert Strauss Center, and Clements Center hosted the fourth annual Texas National Security Forum at The University of Texas at Austin on Thursday, October 12.
Public Talk
Monitoring Nuclear Agreements with Iran and North Korea: Some Relevant Lessons from the Past
On Wednesday, September 27, the Intelligence Studies Project and Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Project, in partnership with the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center and Strauss and Clements centers, welcomed John A. Lauder, a retired senior CIA official, for a discussion on nuclear agreements with Iran and North Korea.
Public Talk
The Future of Defense Intelligence
On Tuesday, September 12, the ISP and Strauss and Clements centers welcomed Doug Wise for a lunchtime talk at the LBJ School on the future of defense intelligence. Mr. Wise is a career CIA officer who served as the Deputy Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency prior to his retirement.
Lunchtime Talk
The Role of Intelligence in American National Security: Shall we use Intelligence, or intelligence?
On Wednesday, April 5, the Intelligence Studies Project and the Clements Center will host Angelo Codevilla, former staff member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, for a discussion on the U.S. Intelligence Community. Professor Codevilla's talk will take place at 12:15pm in Sid Richardson Hall, room 3.122. This event is free and open to the public.
Speaker Series
Women in National Security featuring Michele L. Malvesti
On Friday, March 24th, the Intelligence Studies Project, in partnership with the Clements Center, Strauss Center, and UT’s Women in Foreign Affairs, welcomed Dr. Michele L. Malvesti to the Texas Union as a speaker in the Women and National Security Speaker Series. The goal of the Women and National Security Speaker Series is to feature distinguished foreign policy and national security experts while highlighting a range of important policy issues.
Spring Symposium
VIDEO: Intelligence in Defense of the Homeland
On Thursday, March 23, 2017, the Intelligence Studies Project (ISP) and Business Executives for National Security hosted a symposium, “Intelligence in Defense of the Homeland,” at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center on the campus of UT Austin.
Lunchtime Talk
A Conversation on National Security Leadership with Marc Thiessen
The Intelligence Studies Project, along with the Strauss and Clements Centers, hosted Marc Thiessen on February 23 for a lunchtime talk. Marc Thiessen is an AEI Foreign and Defense Policy Scholar, and formerly served as Chief Speechwriter to President George W. Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He is the author of Courting Disaster: How the CIA Kept America Safe and How Obama is Inviting the Next Attack.
Lunchtime Book Talk
The President's Book of Secrets: Intelligence Briefings to America's Presidents
On Thursday, February 16, 2017, the Intelligence Studies Project, Strauss Center, Clements Center, and the LBJ Presidential Library welcomed David Priess for a talk on his book The President’s Book of Secrets: The Untold Story of Intelligence Briefings to America’s Presidents from Kennedy to Obama.
Follow The Money: A Conversation with Leslie Ireland, U.S. Department of the Treasury's Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis
The Intelligence Studies Project, the Robert Strauss Center, and the Clements Center are honored to host Leslie Ireland, U.S. Department of the Treasury's Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, on Wednesday, October 26th, in SRH 3.122 from 12:15-1:30 pm. This event, which is free and open to the public, is being co-hosted by Women in Foreign Affairs. Remarks made during the talk are off the record.
Espionage by Americans from the Revolutionary War to the Present
On October 12, 2016, the Strauss Center and the Intelligence Studies Project hosted Michael Sulick, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency’s National Clandestine Service and Chief of CIA Counterintelligence. Based on his books Spying in America and American Spies, Mr. Sulick discussed incidents of espionage directed against the US, with a particular focus on how American beliefs shape our attitudes towards—and ability to detect—espionage.
The Power in Diversity Recruitment: A Conversation with Shirley Sulick, Former CIA Official
The CIA is vital to our Nation’s security, and it routinely appears as the top of rankings of best government employers. Learn how the CIA seeks to attract, retain, and reward a diverse, inclusive workforce to help our leaders understand a complex world. Registration for UT students, faculty, and staff can be accessed here.
Informing Nonproliferation with Intelligence: Three Problems
On Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at 12:15pm, the Intelligence Studies Project and the LBJ School’s Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Project welcomed Henry Sokolski, Executive Director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. The event was hosted by the NPPP’s Coordinator, LBJ School Associate Professor Alan J. Kuperman. Discussed were the findings of a two-year research project conducted NPEC entitled “Speaking Truth to Nonproliferation.” This report is comprised of reflections of over fifty former senior officials in the field.
NSF 2016: National Security in a Time of Transition
Security in Transition: National Security Challenges Facing the Next President
Leading figures from the executive branch, the intelligence community and academia joined the Herzstein Texas National Security Forum at the University of Texas at Austin to discuss the national security issues facing the next President and the impact of Presidential transitions on the nation's security. This two-day conference, which occurred from September 22 – September 23, was hosted by the Herzstein Foundation, the Moody Foundation, the Robert Strauss Center, the Clements Center, the White House Transition Project, the Baker Institute, the LBJ Presidential Library, the Center for Politics and Governance and the LBJ School of Public Affairs.
Gala Dinner Honoring Admiral Bobby R. Inman
President Gregory L. Fenves is pleased to announce a Gala Dinner honoring Admiral Bobby R. Inman on Friday, April 29, 2016, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas.
General Michael V. Hayden Discusses American Intelligence
UT's Intelligence Studies Project, the Clements Center for National Security, and the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law, were pleased to welcome General Michael V. Hayden to the University of Texas on Friday, April 29, at 3:30pm for a conversation with Admiral Bobby R. Inman on "American Intelligence and National Security".
Thinking About Global Futures
On Wednesday, April 13, 2016, the Strauss Center, UT’s Intelligence Studies Project, and the Clements Center hosted Dr. Gregory Treverton, chairman of the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and advisor to the Director of National Intelligence. The topic of Dr. Treverton’s talk concerned the National Intelligence Council’s work with analyzing global trends. He first spoke on the NIC as an organization, offering insight into their mission and future goals.
Conference on "Intelligence in American Society" with Homeland Security Advisor Lisa Monaco
In the Spring of 2016, the Intelligence Studies Project at the University of Texas-Austin hosted a conference on “Intelligence in American Society”. The conference focused on the supervision and oversight of U.S. intelligence activities. The luncheon keynote speaker was Lisa Monaco, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. Morning and afternoon discussions involved current and former officials involved in intelligence oversight by all three branches of government, the media, and non-governmental organizations.
A Discussion with NSA Deputy Director Rick Ledgett
On Tuesday, March 8, 2016, the Intelligence Studies Project, the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law, and the Clements Center for National Security welcome Rick Ledgett, Deputy Director of the National Security Agency, to speak on issues pertaining to intelligence and counterintelligence. The event is free and open to the public.
Medina: Thinking Differently About Intelligence
On Thursday, March 3, UT's Intelligence Studies Project, the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law, the Clements Center for National Security, and the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement welcomed Carmen Medina, former Deputy Director for Intelligence at CIA, to discuss the importance of more diverse thinking in intelligence.
Great Powers, Failed States, and New Frontiers: National Security Challenges in the 21st Century
This forum will explore the security challenges the U.S. currently faces, and how our national security institutions are positioned to respond.
CANCELLED: A Conversation on Intelligence and National Security with General Michael Hayden, Admiral Bobby Inman and Admiral William McRaven
Due to a family emergency, Gen. Hayden very regretfully has to cancel his trip to Texas this week, including his Tuesday evening event with the Strauss-Clements Intelligence Studies Project. We hope to reschedule this event at a later time.
Protecting Civil Liberties and the Nation
The Civil Liberties Protection Officer for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) Alex Joel discussed protecting civil liberties at the University of Texas.
ISP Welcomed CIA Director John Brennan
University of Texas Chancellor William McRaven, former Director of Central Intelligence Porter Goss, and Intelligence Studies Project Director Steve Slick joined Director Brennan for a roundtable discussion on September 15, 2015.
88 Days to Kandahar: A CIA Diary
On Thursday, April 16, the Intelligence Studies Project at the Strauss and Clements Centers welcomed former Islamabad CIA Station Chief Robert Grenier to discuss his new book, 88 Days to Kandahar. The book tells the story of the initial days following 9/11 in Afghanistan and chronicles the fall of Kandahar and the rise of Hamid Karzai. Grenier was introduced by Intelligence Studies Project Director Steve Slick, who called Grenier one of the most distinguished and respected operations officers of his generation.
Security by Design: Homeland Security, Strategy, and Re-imagining National Security
On Tuesday, March 31 the Strauss Center welcomed former Assistant Secretary for Policy at the Department of Homeland Security David Heyman to discuss the concept of homeland security in a changing world. In his talk, "Security by Design: Homeland Security, Strategy, and Re-Imagining National Security," Heyman pointed out that while many people have heard of homeland security, very few people actually know what it is. Heyman argued homeland security requires a forward-thinking vision based on shared responsibility between governments, communities, and individuals to find the needle in the haystack.
Intelligence Reform and Counterterrorism after a Decade: Are We Smarter and Safer?
It has been a decade since the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 ushered in a sweeping reorganization of the U.S. intelligence community, creating the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the National Counterterrorism Center. Partnering with the Intelligence and National Security Alliance, the University of Texas at Austin's Clements Center and Strauss Center hosted a multi-day gathering on "Intelligence Reform and Counterterrorism after a Decade: Are We Smarter and Safer?" from October 16-18, 2014. The conference examined what lessons have been learned and what challenges lie ahead. The event was a culmination of a large number of interviews and will be followed by a report with recommendations. It aims to be the most comprehensive and high-profile examination of the largest reorganization of the U.S. intelligence community in more than 50 years.
Company Man: Thirty Years of Controversy and Crisis in the CIA
On April 22, 2014, the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law and the William P. Clements Center for History, Strategy & Statecraft welcomed John Rizzo, Former Acting General Counsel of the CIA, to discuss his recently-published book, Company Man: Thirty Years of Controversy and Crisis in the CIA. The book provides an insider's perspective on the evolution of the CIA, particularly in a new era of "political" and "open" institutions. The book also aims to shed some light on the types of issues that lawyers enmeshed in the fabric of the Agency have had to face over the past few decades.
The National Security Agency at the Crossroads
As part of a larger effort to improve public understanding of last year's events surrounding the National Security Agency, from April 3rd through 4th the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law and the William P. Clements Jr. Center for National Security hosted a major interdisciplinary conference focused on the NSA. It covered topics including the history of the NSA, the role of the media in revealing classified information about its activities, the legal architecture in which it operates, the compliance and oversight mechanisms associated with the NSA, the diplomatic fallout from the recent revelations, and the prospects for reform.