Simons Center News

The CGSC Foundation recently recognized former Simons Center director Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Ray Barrett at a farewell dinner on October 7. At the dinner, the Foundation board presented Barrett with a Foundation chair in appreciation for his retiring after 10 years of service as one of the Foundation’s founding trustees, its first Vice Chairman, and […]

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently published a report assessing the American Red Cross’s cooperation with U.S. government agencies when providing disaster relief services. The report addresses the nature and extent of the Red Cross’s disaster services, how the Red Cross coordinates with the federal government on disaster assistance, and what external oversight exists of […]

Lt. Col. Wong Shi Ming, CGSOC Class of 2015 (second from left in the photo) recently received the chair representing his receipt of the Birrer-Brookes Award for the best thesis submitted for the Masters of Military Arts and Sciences degree for his class. Wong was officially recognized for this award and several others during the […]

On September 28, President Obama addressed the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly, where he urged a whole-of-government approach to international dilemmas. The president’s remarks touched on several international issues, including the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Iran Nuclear Pact, and Russia’s annexation of Crimea. President Obama stressed that military power is […]

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army General Martin E. Dempsey recently conducted an interview in which he discussed the importance of a whole-of-government approach to issues facing the U.S. and the world. Dempsey has repeatedly pushed for solutions integrating economic, diplomatic, law enforcement, energy, and military instruments of power during his tenure as […]

On September 17, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) officials met in Washington, D.C. for a town hall on a joint USAID and NASA venture to improve environmental decision-making abilities for officials in developing countries. USAID Associate Administrator Eric Postel and NASA Administrator Charles Bolder were joined by […]

Security measures have been underway for months in preparation for Pope Francis’s first visit to the United States. Pope Francis will be visiting Washington, Philadelphia, and New York. These security preparations have involved the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the United States Secret Service, and multiple other federal and local agencies and organizations. DHS and the […]

Earlier this month the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report assessing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster logistics efforts with interagency partners. GAO examined FEMA’s ability to deliver goods to disaster survivors, focusing on how well FEMA collaborated with federal partners and with state and local stakeholders. GAO found that FEMA has taken […]

The Department of Defense announced last week that it will establish a new center to promote information sharing on space operations between the military and intelligence community. The Joint Interagency Combined Space Operations Center (JICSpOC) will involve the U.S. Strategic Command, Air Force Space Command, and the intelligence community, and will ensure data fusion among […]

The second annual Celebration of International Friendship at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts this past Friday was a great success! Thanks to everyone that participated. I think you will all agree that the evening was special. There are so many that we have to thank for putting on the evening. I want to […]