A year into President Trump’s term, what can we say about the Trump Doctrine? As a candidate, Trump promised dramatic changes for American foreign policy. As president, many would agree he has delivered on that promise. In just one year, Trump withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and the Paris climate treaty, launched cruise missiles at Syria for using chemical weapons, increased American arms sales abroad, refused to certify Iran’s compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, increased the number of American forces operating in the Middle East and Afghanistan, and rattled sabers on the Korean peninsula. How do these changes square with Trump’s call for an “America First” foreign policy? How does Trump’s operating style differ from that of previous presidents? Is America safer today than it was a year ago?
Join an all-star lineup of experts for an afternoon of debate and discussion about the Trump Doctrine.
Following the half-day conference, we will retire for happy hour hors d’oeuvres and our signature cocktail, the aptly named “Finger on the Button” (or if you’re driving, you can order a #FakeBooze).
| 2:00 – 3:30PM |
General Session: The Trump Doctrine at One Year
Topics to be covered: How is America First looking a year in? Is it what we thought it was going to be? What have the major successes and failures been so far? Is Team Trump focusing on the right threats and issues? Forecasting another couple of years down the road.
- Kathleen Hicks, Senior Vice President, Henry A. Kissinger Chair, Director of the International Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies
- Hal Brands, Senior Fellow, Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments; Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
- Susan Glasser, Chief International Affairs Columnist, Politico
- James Goldgeier, Visiting Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations; Professor, School of International Service, American University
- Trevor Thrall, George Mason University and Cato Institute
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| 3:30 – 3:40PM |
MINI BREAK |
| 3:40 – 5:00PM |
Breakout Sessions
Session A: The Greater Middle East and the War on Terror
- Barbara Slavin, Future of Iran Initiative, Atlantic Council; Al-Monitor
- Tamara Cofman Wittes, Brookings Institution
- Ilan Goldenberg, Center for a New American Security
- Katherine Zimmerman, American Enterprise Institute
- Erik Goepner, Cato Institute
Session B: Nuclear Deals and Nuclear Weapons
- John Glaser, Cato Institute
- Kelsey Davenport, Arms Control Association
- Rebeccah Heinrichs, Hudson Institute
- Aaron Mehta, Defense News
- Hans Kristensen, Federation of American Scientists
Session C: Trump and the National Security–Making Process
- Gene Healy, Cato Institute
- Ryan Evans, War on the Rocks
- Charlie Savage, New York Times
- Heather Hurlburt, Director, New Models of Policy Change, New America
Download video of the panel
Download podcast of the panel
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| 5:00 – 6:00PM |
RECEPTION |
This Cato Conference and reception are free of charge.
