From 18–22 October 2021, the NESA Center conducted the Washington Embassy Orientation, attended by diplomats and defense attachés from over nineteen countries. This week-long orientation, titled “Working in Washington,” featured a range of speakers, including diplomats, national security professionals, academics, business leaders, and journalists. As newly arrived foreign government representatives in Washington, participants were advised on how to navigate the Washington bureaucracy and cultivate productive relationships that will allow them to advance their country’s interests.
The first half of the Orientation featured presentations and participant discussions on the U.S. national security structure, branches of government, and the organization of both the Department of State and Department of Defense. Sessions during the first three days outlined the complexities of the policy and decision-making processes in the U.S. government. The second half featured dialogues on best practices for participants to effectively communicate their national interests, engage with the media and think tanks, and maximize their time here in Washington.
Speakers from top left: Dr. Michael Sharnoff (Professor, NESA Center for Strategic Studies), LTG Terry Wolff, USA (Ret.)(Director, NESA Center for Strategic Studies), Dr. Michael Bell (Provost, National Defense University of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Professor, NESA Center for Strategic Studies; former Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Senior Director for Middle East Affairs on the National Security Council), Ambassador Phillip Carter III (President, Mead Hill Group LLC), The Honorable Dov Zakheim (Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Senior Fellow at the CNA Corporation), The Honorable Charles Boustany, Jr., M.D. (Former Congressman (Republican, Louisiana’s 3rd District [2013-2017], Louisiana’s 7th District [2005-2013]); President, Association of Former Members of Congress), Brianne Todd (Professor, NESA Center for Strategic Studies), Dr. James McGann (Senior Lecturer of International Studies at the Lauder Institute, Director of the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program, and Senior Fellow at the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania), Mr. Jean AbiNader (Principal and Founder, AbiNader Advisory Services), Mr. Ali Al-Arabiyat (Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Jordan), Amy Mackinnon (National Security and Intelligence Reporter, Foreign Policy), Laura Rozen (Foreign Policy Journalist; Author of the Diplomatic Newsletter)
The views presented in this article are those of the speaker or author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its components.
