DMNSF examines U.S. foreign relations

The CGSC Foundation and its Simons Center hosted a gathering of the Des Moines National Security Forum (DMNSF) at the Des Moines Embassy Club West in West Des Moines, Iowa on Oct. 7, 2026. This presentation of the forum featured a discussion about U.S. foreign relations with David Oakley, Ph.D., the academic director at the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute (GNSI).

During the forum Oakley and Simons Center Director Todd Schmidt, Ph.D., conducted a fireside chat style discussion examining the current state of U.S. relations with its traditional post–World War II allies in the context of Great Power competition with Russia and China.

(All Photos) David Oakley, Ph.D., left, academic director at the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute, and Simons Center Director Todd Schmidt discuss U.S. foreign relations during the Des Moines National Security Forum at the Des Moines Embassy Club West in West Des Moines, Iowa on Oct. 7, 2026. (photos by John Nelson, Simons Center)

Schmidt kicked off the discussion asking Oakley about his background with particular emphasis on his time in the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) National Clandestine Service/Directorate of Operations as a staff operations officer (SOO), and as a contractor at the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center. Oakley spoke about his experiences in those jobs which provided the audience some insights to his depth of experience in the foreign relations arena.

Schmidt then shifted the discussion to the National Defense Strategy (NDS). Oakley outlined the key focus of the current NDS and how the emphasis differs from the first Trump administration’s approach. Oakley said the current strategy expands homeland defense to include restoring U.S. military dominance in the hemisphere and securing access to locations such as Greenland and the Panama Canal. In the Indo-Pacific, Oakley said the NDS emphasizes deterring China through strength and maintaining a favorable military balance without treating conflict as inevitable.

Oakley also discussed the implications of the Trump administration’s increased emphasis on allies being expected to shoulder more responsibility for their expense as opposed to their historical reliance on the security provided by the U.S. defense umbrella. Part of the discussion included his thoughts on the implications associated with the Trump administration’s approach to persuading allies to meet these obligations.

During the question and answer period, Oakley had the opportunity to provide his personal perspectives on the current conflict with Iran as well as the end state of war in Ukraine, subjects many in the audience had questions about.

After the Q&A, Schmidt presented Oakley with a small gift in appreciation for his time with the Foundation and its audiences.

For more photos see the CGSC Foundation Flickr album

David Oakley, Ph.D., is the academic director at the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute (GNSI). He served in the U.S. Army as a field artillery officer and strategist, in the Central Intelligence Agency’s National Clandestine Service/Directorate of Operations as a staff operations officer, and as a contractor at the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center. His last assignment in the U.S. Army was as an assistant professor at the College of International Security Affairs. Prior to GNSI, he was an associate professor at Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) in Tampa.

Oakley serves on the editorial boards for Intelligence and National Security, InterPopulum: Journal of Irregular Warfare and Special Operations, and JSOU Press. His book, Subordinating Intelligence: The DoD/CIA Post-Cold War Relationship, was published by the University Press of Kentucky in 2019/2022.

Oakley’s education includes a doctorate in security studies from Kansas State University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Military Arts and Science (MMAS) from the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies, an MMAS from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and a bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University.

The Des Moines National Security Forum (DMNSF) is an exclusive professional information sharing and networking event exclusively for members of the community and select invitees of the CGSC Foundation’s Simons Center and Brownells, the co-hosts of the Forum.

The CGSC Foundation’s Simons Center designed the Des Moines National Security Forum (DMNSF) in the mold of its Arter-Rowland National Security Forum in Kansas City, wherein members of the forum meet periodically at guest speaker events to learn about issues related to national security. To help facilitate the new program in Des Moines, Brownells in Grinnell, Iowa, is the Simons Center’s local partner. Brownells Chairman Pete Brownell is also the Vice Chair for the Central Region of the U.S. for the CGSC Foundation’s board of trustees. The DMNSF is presented four times each year for those interested in keeping abreast of relevant information about national security issues.

~ Thank you to our 2026 DMNSF Sponsors ~