NATO Conference at the Troy University Montgomery Campus on November 1-2, 2019 

The Alabama World Affairs Council and Troy University will co-sponsor a conference titled “NATO at Seventy: A Strategic Examination of the Past, Present, and Future of the Atlantic Alliance,” which brings together generals, military experts, ambassadors, diplomats, and scholars to discuss the importance and the future of the Atlantic alliance.  Troy University was awarded the NATO Public Diplomacy Grant to host an international conference of leading experts on NATO.

The conference will feature Ambassador Robert Hunter (the US ambassador to NATO from 1993 to 1998), His Excellency George Cristian Maior (The Romanian Ambassador to the US), Major General Cezary Wisniewski (Poland’s Military Attaché to the U.S), and diplomatic representatives from Lithuania, Latvia, and Croatia.  In addition, there will be military officials, scholars, and government leaders from the United States and Europe.  The conference features four panels that focus on the history of NATO, cyber and hybrid threats, current regional operations and threats, and future threats to the alliance.  NATO will be sending a representative who will close out the conference on Saturday afternoon.

The event is free and open to the public, but attendees need to register by sending an email to Mrs. Melissa Neff at mneff@troy.edu.  Snacks and a lunch on Saturday, Nov. 2^nd will be provided. For more information, visit www.troy.edu/nato70

The confirmed speakers include:

• Ambassador Robert Hunter (US Ambassador to NATO from 1993-1995)
• His Excellency George Cristian Maior—Romania’s Ambassador to the United States
• Diplomatic Representatives from Lithuania, Latvia and Croatia
• Major General Cezary Wisniewski—Military Attaché Republic of Poland
• Ms. Lara Romano—Deputy Chief of Mission, Republic of Croatia
• Mr. Robert Bell—NATO Diplomat
• Dr. Vaidotas Urbelis—Defense Councillor, Embassy of Lithuania
• Mr. Rolans Henins—Defense Councillor, Latvia

Here is a list of the confirmed presenters for each of the panels: 

Friday, Nov 1

1:00-2:15 70th Anniversary (Panel 1) 

Dr. John Schmidt (Troy University)

Jeff Mrazik (Air University)

Dr. Mary Hampton (Air University)

Maj. Gen. Cezary Wisniewski (Republic of Poland)

Robert Bell (NATO Diplomat)

2:30 Tour Rosa Parks  

4:30-6:00 Ambassador in Residence Address 

Ambassador Robert Hunter (U.S. Ambassador to NATO 1993-1998_

(evening gathering at Common Bond Brewers) 

Saturday, Nov 2 

9:30-10:45  Hybrid and Cyber Threats (Panel 1) 

Dr. Robert Norton (Auburn University)

Tad Schnaufer (UCF)

Sandor Fabian (UCF)

Dr. Nicholas Sambaluk (Air University)

Dr. Karen Guttieri and Dr. Joshua Sipper (Air University)

11:00 to 12:15  Current Regional Operations (Panel 2) 

Dr. Richard Ledet (Troy University)

Ms. Lara Romano (Deputy Chief of Mission, Croatia)

Dr. Boris Havel (University of Zagreb)

Dr. Chris Rein (Air University)

Mr. Rolans Henins (Defense Councillor, Latvia)

1:30 to 2:45 Future Threats 

His Excellency George Cristian Maior (Romanian Ambassador to US)

Dr. Vaidotas Urbelis (Defense Councillor, Embassy of Lithuania)

Adelton Diaz (Brazilian Military, Faculty, WHINSEC)

Dr. Davis and Dr. Slobodchikoff (Troy University)

3:00 to 4:30 NATO Designee Address