NATO’s challenges topic of latest ARNSF

The CGSC Foundation and Alumni Association and its Simons Center hosted an Arter-Rowland National Security Forum luncheon event on April 16, 2026, at the Carriage Club in Kansas City. The event featured a presentation entitled “NATO’s Ambitious Agenda and Challenges – Preparing for the Future” by Maj. Gen. (Ret.) William Hickman, a veteran with extensive NATO experience. Hickman spoke at the Foundation’s “Distinguished Speaker Series” event in Leavenworth, Kansas, the evening before.

The CGSC Foundation’s Simons Center Director and ARNSF program leader Col. (Ret.) Todd Schmidt kicked off the Forum welcoming the ARNSF members and their guests. After lunch, he introduced Hickman.

(Top photo and above) Maj. Gen. (Ret.) William Hickman, a veteran with extensive NATO experience, conducts a presentation and discussion about NATO during the Arter-Rowland National Security Forum luncheon event at the Carriage Club in Kansas City on April 16, 2026.

Hickman led a discussion on NATO’s evolution since the Cold War, its current 360-degree approach to deterrence and defense, and emerging challenges to alliance cohesion. He based his presentation on his personal experience in NATO where he assisted in drafting NATO’s first military strategy since the Cold War, initiated work on NATO’s Warfighting Capstone Concept, and represented Allied Command Transformation at NATO’s Defense Planning, which focused on long-term military capabilities.

In his presentation Hickman discussed how NATO is at an inflection point in its history. It was built to secure peace, but today it must manage persistent competition in which military, economic and technology tools are integrated and crises now unfold across multiple domains simultaneously. He addressed the inherent core tensions amongst NATO members which include maintaining alliance unity and credible deterrence while serving their own national interests. He also discussed how the current NATO secretary general has been speaking about the alliance’s unhealthy dependence on the U.S., supporting the U.S. position that NATO members need to contribute more to their own armies versus trying to establish some new “European Army.” He concluded with the thoughts that geopolitics now shape capital decisions and security risks are now direct, not distant business risks, and the NATO alliance provides economic stability. He said NATO’s future will take one of two routes: one where each country pays their way and the alliance continues, or the alliance will transition into a “treaty of guarantee” to which the U.S. signs on to guarantee the safety of Europe, which is not a desirable path.

After the presentation and an extensive question and answer period, Schmidt presented Hickman with a small gift in appreciation for his time with the Forum. Schmidt also provided information about future ARNSF gatherings.

For more photos see the CGSC Foundation Flickr album

Major General William B. Hickman, U.S. Army, Retired, brings decades of military leadership and strategic insight to his role as a commentator on defense and security issues.

As a former director of Strategic Plans and Policy for NATO Allied Command Transformation, Hickman is well-versed in alliance dynamics and global security challenges. His distinguished career underscores his commitment to advancing international security cooperation and readiness.

Today, Hickman advises executives, boards, and nonprofit leaders on strategy, leadership development, and crisis management. He is also a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University and co-editor of Understanding the U.S. Military, an interdisciplinary overview of America’s armed forces.

The Arter-Rowland National Security Forum (ARNSF) is led by the CGSC Foundation’s Simons Center and is an exclusive professional information sharing and networking forum for those interested in keeping abreast of relevant information about national security issues.

Members of the Forum and their guests meet periodically at guest speaker events in downtown Kansas City. National and regional guest speakers representing all elements of national power (Diplomatic, Informational, Military and Economic) highlight the meetings. The Forum is nonpartisan, but elected government officials may present from time to time.

The Forum is named after Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Robert Arter, Founding Chairman of the CGSC Foundation, and Mr. Landon Rowland, the Foundation’s first major donor who was well-known in Kansas City for his keen interest in national security issues and his leadership in business and philanthropy.

ARNSF events are only open to ARNSF members and their guests. If you are not a member but are interested in joining, contact the CGSC Foundation.

The Arter-Rowland National Security Forum is sponsored by: