Date
November 18-20, 2011 Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia Participants
300 
This panel examined the decisions we make as an international community when deciding whether or not to intervene in conflicts. The panel began the conversation by answering the questions: Do we only select the easier situations, and can states really create moral foreign policy, grounded in pragmatism and principle?
This discussion focused on the new and historic wave of democratization in the Middle East and North Africa this year, and what the Arab Spring could mean for the world. Also explored was how sympathetic democracies can accelerate progress in these countries.
As we heard, it is harder to escape one’s history than it might at first appear. Building a democratic government, culture and society is slow and laborious, with no guarantee of success.
Sound familiar? Participants brought a new perspective to this urgent issue, discussing the financial meltdown in Europe, the debt crisis, and how these events are affecting global markets and our security. The timing of this discussion is especially relevant, occurring just days before the U.S. Congress’ “Super Committee” deadline for voting on $1.5 trillion in deficit reductions. A failure to meet the deadline could trigger massive spending cuts across the board.
Robin Shepherd, Director of the Henry Jackson Society, hosted a 30-minute discussion with Israel’s Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Saturday afternoon. The Minister shared his thoughts on a number of topics, including the Arab Spring, Iran, Syria, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
With the US election season well underway, this conversation focused on political dynamics in the country and potential implications for US foreign policy and security strategy. Senators John McCain and Mark Udall spoke to a variety of issues, as shown by the selection of quotes below.
With countries around the world slashing defense budgets—panelists were asked for their perspectives on the meaning of “smart security.” Can democratic nations follow in the footsteps of NATO’s successfully coordinated campaign in Libya, avoid duplication in defense spending, and work together to meet common challenges?
Panelists spoke to military budget items most likely up for cutting, and whether or not a more concerted approach could help countries meet increasingly complex security challenges on a tighter budget.
