GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany – Members of the Bulgarian parliament, ministry of defense and foreign affairs and others meet next week in a conference discussing national security policy.

The Tailored Seminar on National Security Policy for Representatives from the Republic of Bulgaria starts Oct. 25 at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies will include seminars studying the security environment, contemporary armed conflict and more.

By Yvonne Levardi, Marshall Center Public Affairs

Maj. Gen. (ret.) Mahmoud Irdaisat, director Center for Strategic Studies, Jordan (center) speaks with Dr. Hasan Anbari, deputy chief of the Jordanian Diplomatic Institue (right) during a break. (Photo by Yvonne Levardi)

AMMAN, Jordan – Fighting extremist ideology is the complicated topic that brought seventy-five participants from 23 countries, including nine Marshall Center alumni, to Jordan for a conference Sept. 28-30.

Entitled “Exploring Dimensions in Countering Ideological Support for Terrorism,” the conference examined efforts underway in the Middle East for combating militant extremist ideology.

Building on a previous six conferences which have addressed the topic since 2005, this meeting was co-organized by the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies and the Royal Jordanian National Defence College.

Dr. Sharyl Cross, professor of national security studies at the Marshall center, said the importance of the topic to both parties is emphasized by the shared focus of the progressive Middle Eastern nation and the Marshall Center in organizing the conference.

“Together with our colleagues of the Royal Jordanian National Defense College, we were able to provide a forum for rigorous discussion with respect to countering militant extremist ideology,” she said. “We’ve focused on the importance of candid dialogue and building sustainable professional networks for combating extremist ideology. The rich national and professional diversity among our participants brought the synergistic mix of experience that we need in addressing this challenge.”

Participants looked at efforts within Middle Eastern nations to counter the appeal of extremism and terrorism; courses and research that address the topic in professional military education programs; and worked to define cooperative global approaches for Middle Eastern and Western countries.

by Jason Tudor, GCMC Public Affairs

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany – Preparations for an outbreak of the H1N1 strain of influenza continue behind the scenes here as students from countries worldwide seek ways to advance democratic institutions and build relationships.

 A task force created by the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies here is examining available logistics, medical support and operational concerns needed during an outbreak. The center, in conjunction with its supporting Army garrison, is working to mitigate an influenza outbreak.

Col. D.J. Liles, director of the H1N1 task force, said based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Department of Defense, World Health Organization and others, the Marshall Center is on track for success.

First and foremost, Colonel Liles said, the task force is designed to ensure the readiness of military members and keep the Marshall Center running. As examples, the center started its Program in Advanced Security Studies Sept. 25 with better than 120 students from 60 countries. Also, several outreach conferences occur in locations across the globe during the height of the flu season. Finally, the Marshall Center’s language instruction school continues instruction at full speed.

Col. Kevin W. Farrell is currently a visiting professor to the College of International and Security Studies and the deputy director of the Senior Executive Seminar at the George C. Marshall Center.

He came here in early July under a unique situation. He is spending what would normally be his senior service college year at the Marshall Center instead of going to a war college in the United States.

Because of his operational background as an army officer and his academic credentials, he was able to join the faculty and be both an instructor and a beneficiary from the instruction.

He’ll also serve as an instructor for the Program in Advanced Security Studies course, the Marshall Center’s flagship course. 

“I’m really looking forward to working together with the senior personnel and also with the PASS course,” Colonel Farrell said. He also said that next year he will probably be teaching an elective.

Lt Col Thomas Drape

Lt. Col. Thomas G. Drape is the Air Force Academy Chair at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. He is engaged as deputy director of the Program in Advanced Security Studies (PASS) at the College of International and Security Studies.

Colonel Drape came through his position in the US Air Force Academy to the Marshall Center.

 “Actually, I’m wearing two hats at the same time,” he said, because he is working for both institutions.

Among other positions, he has served as an international programs specialist, deputy for operations, director of curriculum, and assistant professor in the department of management at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The experiences from his former jobs are a great help and inspiration for his current tasks.

 “My profession at the Marshall Center definitely has similarities with some of my former positions, but no two positions are the same and the one in the Marshall Center is very special,” Drape said.

(Editor’s Note: This entry is provided by Dr. Christopher Harmon, director of GCMC’s Program on Terrorism and Security Studies)

Greetings from Garmisch. 

Our latest counterterrorism course (PTSS 09-7) finished up a few weeks ago, and the 75 participants are all safely back home…in 47 countries.

 The Program on Terrorism and Security Studies has been “going global” lately.  In this past course there were no less than eight participants from Latin America with us, as well as a crowd of Europeans and Central Asians, and individuals from as far away as the Seychelles and Australia. 

Another remarkable feature of the out-going class was its education levels—including two PhDs.  It was routine to talk with seminar members who were comfortable in 3 or 4 languages—just the type of skill that really helps our graduates network internationally. 

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany — The dean of the college at the George C. Marshall European Center is moving on.

Michael Schmitt, who’s served as dean since the fall of 2008, will leave the College of International and Security Studies in June 2010. He’ll become the chair of public international law at Durham University Law School in the United Kingdom. He made the announcement via email July 15.

A search for his replacement is underway.

“Although this will result in my departure earlier than planned, the opportunity to fill a chair at a top tier law school was too attractive professionally to pass by,” Dean Schmitt said.  “Recruitment for my successor will proceed in due time.  He or she will lead a College that is at the top of its game thanks to your many tireless, and very much appreciated, efforts.”

As head of the college, Dean Schmitt managed five resident programs, the foreign area officer program, and the Partner Language Training Center, Europe.  He oversaw the graduation of about 900 students during his tenure. Schmitt helped pave the foundation for partnerships across the globe through various courses of study offered by the Marshall Center, according to Dr. John Rose, the center director.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Mike and we wish him the best,” Dr. Rose said. “As the dean, Mike has raised the standard for the Marshall Center and the college. He’ll be a tough act to follow.”

The mission of the Marshall Center is to create a more stable security environment by advancing democratic institutions and relationships, especially in the field of defense; promoting active, peaceful security cooperation; and enhancing enduring partnerships among the nations of North America, Europe and Eurasia.

Staff members from the Marshall Center’s college and Outreach Programs Directorate conduct a variety of unique programs involving 62 countries. Most programs are taught in three languages: English, German and Russian. The college maintains a long-term academic focus while directorate focuses on current issues and problem solving, as well as maintaining contact with more than 60 percent of all Marshall Center alumni.