SOLD OUT: A Conversation with Dr. Robert Gates on the Future of U.S. National Security

Tickets for this event are sold out. To be added to the wait list, please contact Nathan Sharpe at nsharpe@world-affairs.org. Tickets are still available for the larger public program at Town Hall on February 2 here.

On February 2, join the World Affairs Council and The Rainier Club for a discussion with former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on the future of U.S. national security. During his tenure, Dr. Gates confronted the challenges that continue to pose many and varied threats to the United States—with traditional and non-traditional actors wielding expected and unexpected tools to contest U.S. interests and policies around the world.

Gen. Peter Chiarelli, USA (Ret.), will moderate a conversation with Dr. Gates on what U.S. national security priorities and policies might look like going forward. Dr. Gates served as the U.S. Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011. He is the recent author of A Passion for Leadership: Lessons on Change and Reform from Fifty Years of Public Service and Duty: Memories of a Secretary at War. Gen. Chiarelli was the 32nd Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and is currently Chief Executive Officer at One Mind.

Lunch will be provided at this event.

Copies of Dr. Gates's books, Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War and A Passion for Leadership: Lessons on Change and Reform from Fifty Years of Public Service will be available for purchase and signing at this event.

This event is part of the 2015-2016 Community Programs Policy & Thought Leaders Series.

Our speakers:

Dr. Robert Gates: Dr. Robert M. Gates is the former U.S. Secretary of Defense and former Director of Central Intelligence. He is currently the Chancellor of the College of William & Mary, and serves as the 35th national president of the Boy Scouts of America.

During his notable career, Gates has served eight U.S. presidents of both political parties. He is the only secretary of defense to be asked to remain in that office by a newly elected president. Prior to his post at the Department of Defense, Gates was the president of Texas A&M University, the nation’s fifth-largest university. Gates also served as director of central intelligence and is the only career officer in the CIA’s history to rise from entry-level employee to director.

Gates has been awarded the National Security Medal and the Presidential Citizens Medal, has twice received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, and has three times received the CIA’s highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal. On his last day in office as secretary of defense, Gates was awarded the nation’s highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Obama.

Gates has served on the board of directors and executive committee of the American Council on Education and the board of directors of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges.

A native of Kansas, Gates received his bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary, his master’s degree in history from Indiana University, and his doctorate in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University.

Gen. Peter Chiarelli, USA (Ret.): General Peter Chiarelli previously served as the 32nd Vice Chief of Staff in the U.S. Army. He is currently the CEO of One Mind. As Vice Chief of Staff of the Army he led the Department of Defense efforts on post-traumatic stress (PTS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and suicide prevention. Chiarelli was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Army and its 1.1 million active and reserve soldiers. This included the oversight of many of the Army's R&D programs, and the implementation of recommendations related to its behavioral health programs, specifically its Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention Program.

As commander of the Multi-National Corps-Iraq, Chiarelli coordinated the actions of all four military services and was responsible for the day-to-day combat operations of more than 147,000 U.S. and Coalition troops. He was also the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Robert Gates from March 2007 to August 2008. Chiarelli pioneered efforts to restore government, economic stability and essential services during two tours in Iraq; exercised command and control of combat operations; and trained, prepared and mobilized reserve forces for critical response operations. He retired from the Army in 2012.

In 2013, Chiarelli received the Patriot Award, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's highest honor for his work to help soldiers and families suffering from the invisible wounds of war.

Chiarelli holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Seattle University, a Master of Public Administration from the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington, and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategy from Salve Regina University. He is also a graduate of the College of Naval Command and Staff, and the National War College.