Michael J. Zak Grand Strategy Lecture Featuring Robert D. Kaplan

Featuring Robert D. Kaplan

"Grand Strategy means defining a nation's overarching, long-range goals in foreign affairs which are consistent not only with its interests, but with its political and economic capacities. It is not merely about what a nation wants to do - or what would be nice to do – but what it actually can do, and most importantly, what its citizens will practically support. Grand Strategy keeps elites grounded and close to the citizenry. Grand Strategy is aspirational, not declarational: meaning even if a nation achieves only part of its grand strategy, that in and of itself is highly useful. Being conscious of Grand Strategy implies a respect for geography and geopolitics, as well as a respect for principles and pragmatism – which also happens to be at the core of CNAS' mission statement."

—Robert D. Kaplan, CNAS Senior Fellow and Author

Robert Kaplan’s upcoming book, "The Return of Marco Polo’s World: War, Strategy, and American Interests in the Twenty-first Century," is available for purchase here.

Follow the hashtag #CNASZakLecture for a recap, and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. 

Agenda

• 8:00 - 9:00AM
  Registration and Breakfast

• 9:00 - 9:10AM 
  Introduction
  Victoria Nuland and Michael J. Zak

• 9:10 - 10:10AM
  Inaugural Michael J. Zak Grand Strategy Lecture and Q&A
  Robert D. Kaplan

• 10:10 - 10:25AM
  Coffee Break

• 10:25 - 11:25AM
  Implementing National Security Strategies
  Moderator: Loren DeJonge Schulman (CNAS)
  Panelists: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Elbridge A. Colby (DOD), Dr. Kathleen Hicks (CSIS), Dr. Will Inboden (Clements Center, University of Texas)

• 11:25AM - 12:25PM
  Grand Strategy and America’s Role in the World
  Moderator: Richard Fontaine (CNAS)
  Panelists: Dr. William Ruger (Charles Koch Institute), Ambassador Victoria Nuland (CNAS), Dr. Hal Brands (CSBA/SAIS)

“These essays comprise a truly path-breaking, brilliant synthesis and analysis of geographic, political, technological, and economic trends with far-reaching consequences. The Return of Marco Polo’s World is another work by Robert D. Kaplan that will be regarded as a classic.” 

—General David Petraeus (US Army, Ret.)