Security for a New Century
Security for a New Century's (SNC) objective is to improve security policy decision-making by convening briefings for Members and staff on new initiatives in foreign affairs and international security. SNC is the only internally organized congressional forum that seeks to provide nonpartisan, "off-the-record" opportunities for discussion and problem solving on today's major security challenges. Since its inception in 1998, the program has enjoyed broad bipartisan representation and support. The current program is cosponsored by Senators Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Ben Nelson (D-NE).
The Security for a New Century project seeks to accomplish two intermediate outcomes:
• to educate congressional staff on current security challenges by convening study group sessions on Capitol Hill with technical experts, academics, and policy professionals in a bipartisan, off-the-record, facilitated venue; and
• to strengthen the feedback loop between Congress and federal agencies by inviting agency employees not only to attend the study group sessions, but also to participate as featured speakers.
This approach has allowed the project to consistently link high-profile issues of the day to its overarching goal of increasing the international outlook on Capitol Hill.
Daily operations are coordinated by a Congressional Fellow, Mark Yarnell, who is embedded in host Congressional offices and is responsible for coordinating the Stimson Center's Security for a New Century project. This "insider status" offers the program a unique platform as being organized for Congress, by Congress. The format of the program is grounded in proven conflict resolution principals that create a safe and effective environment for nonpartisan, off-the-record discussion and problem solving.
In the fast-paced and rapidly changing congressional environment, thoughtful debate and the search for effective solutions must be nurtured and supported in order to take hold. Security for a New Century provides staffers with an opportunity to shift gears from the divisive partisan posturing to constructive problem-solving. The briefings seek to highlight many of views and ideas that would normally fall between the cracks of the formal committees and hearings. As international threats and challenges have evolved, the program has also tried to broaden traditional concepts of security and highlight the need to balance the US security toolbox.
Security for a New Century strives to consistently feature security issues of immediate priority to Capitol Hill staffers. Recent programming has included briefings on UN reform, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, human rights, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Afghanistan, and post-conflict reconstruction. In addition, SNC has recently featured briefings on wider subjects including energy, the environment, and international development as they relate to insecurity and instability around the globe.
The program welcomes inquires, comments, and collaboration. For more information, please contact:
Mark Yarnell, Congressional Fellow, myarnell@stimson.org