2017: America’s Security Alliances

The American Academy of Diplomacy and
The Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello
presented

“America’s Security Alliances: What’s the Price, What are they Worth?”

Saturday, October 28, 2017

The Robert H. Smith Center at Montalto
Charlottesville, Virginia

Access the full program here: Monticello Program 2017

The speakers of the 2017 conference, from left to right: Richard Boucher, Joseph Mussomeli, Ronald Neumann, Deborah McCarthy, James Sofka, Robert Beecroft and Andrew O’Shaughnessy

The program started with a retrospective by Professor James Sofka on the American approach to alliances from George Washington’s time to the eve of WW II, titled “From “Entangling Alliances with None” to “Pax Americana”: Patterns of Alliances in Early American Diplomacy.” Access his full remarks here.

A panel discussion offering different viewpoints on America’s Security alliances was held between Ambassadors Beecroft, McCarthy and Mussomeli, moderated by Ambassador Neumann. The panel discussion explored optional perspectives in regards to alliances, risk observed by neglecting key security alliances, and the risks of alliances outliving their usefulness, possible adjustments, and effective commitments.

This was a free, one-day conference (from 9:30 am to 3:15 pm) open to the general public. It is part of a series of annual discussions exploring the role of diplomacy in US foreign relations, and encouraging discussions of foreign affairs across the country.  It was organized by the American Academy of Diplomacy and The Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello. For more information email: academy@academyofdiplomacy.org.