Annual Report FY2011 3

Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies

260 5th Avenue, Building 64

Ft. McNair, D.C. 20319-5066

Director

Richard D. Downie, Ph.D.

Deputy Director

Kenneth LaPlante

Dean of Academic Affairs

Luis Bitencourt, Ph.D.

Dean of Students, Administration, and Operations

John Thompson, MG, USA (Ret.)

Associate Director, Research and Publications

Howard Wiarda, Ph.D.

Strategic Program Manager

Michael Mann

Managing Editor

Yamile Kahn

Assistant Editor

Patricia Kehoe

Layout, Design, and Cover

Vivian Rodriguez

Class/Conference Photos

NDU and CHDS Multimedia

The Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies (CHDS) is a product of the Defense Ministerial of the Americas (DMA) process that began in Williamsburg, 

Virginia, in 1995. Hemispheric civilian and military defense officials expressed deep concerns over the relative lack of civilians prepared to deal 

knowledgeably with defense and military issues in their countries. In response, U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry proposed creating a regional 

center to address this problem during the second DMA held at Bariloche, Argentina, in 1996. Secretary Perry envisioned an educational center tailored to 

the unique requirements of the Western Hemisphere where many countries wished to strengthen civilian defense and security leadership in revitalized 

democracies. Activated on 17 September 1997, CHDS opened its doors, the following day, with a Hemispheric Conference on Education and Defense, 

18–19 September 1997.

Table of Contents

4

5

7

9

18

21

27

28

29

31

32

33

Mission 

History 

Director’s Overview 

Academic Programs 

Metrics and Measures of Effectiveness 

Outreach 

e-Learning and Digital Resources 

Research and Publications 

Recognition and Acknowledgments 

Looking Ahead 

CHDS Fact Sheet 

CHDS Directory 
To conduct educational activities for civilians and the military in the 

Western Hemisphere to enhance partner capacity and to foster trust, 

mutual understanding, and regional cooperation.

In support of the Center’s mission, CHDS facilitates engagement in the Western Hemisphere by:

• Enhancing regional security through the creation of collaborative communities of interest among 

military and civilian officials from States of the Western Hemisphere and examining fundamental 

causes of relevant security challenges and the most effective means to counter them;

• Strengthening sustainable individual and institutional capacity at the national and transnational level 

to enhance national, regional, and international security consistent with the norms of democratic 

governance and civil-military relations;

• Fostering defense support to civil authorities in dealing with disasters in a manner consistent with 

each country’s legal, historical, and cultural norms and the proper role of the military in democratic 

societies; and

• Promoting critical thinking on global security issues as related to the Western Hemisphere.

Mission

Annual Report 2011 - 2012
Annual Report FY2011 5

The Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies (CHDS) is a product of the Defense Ministerial of the Americas 

(DMA) process that began in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1995. Hemispheric defense officials expressed 

deep concerns over the relative lack of new civilian leaders prepared to deal knowledgeably with defense 

and military issues in their countries. In response, U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry proposed the 

creation of a regional center to address this problem during the second DMA held at Bariloche, Argentina, in 

1996. Secretary Perry envisioned an educational center tailored to the unique requirements of the Western 

Hemisphere, where many countries sought to expand civilian defense and security leadership in accordance 

with the principles of democratic governance. 

Between 1996 and September 1997, a team from the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Defense 

University consulted with stakeholders such as the defense ministries and civilian academics from our 

regional partners, and began to outline the foundations of what we know today as CHDS. The Center for 

Hemispheric Defense Studies opened its doors on 17 September 1997, and the following day the new Center 

hosted a two-day Hemispheric Conference on Education and Defense. In March 1998, CHDS conducted its 

first three-week course, Defense Planning and Resource Management. That year the Center also began a 

program of in-region seminars, the first of which was held in Bolivia.

The 2003 DMA V meeting in Santiago, Chile officially recognized CHDS for its contribution to matters of 

Hemispheric defense and security. When Dr. Richard Downie became the Center’s new director in March 

2004, he immediately undertook a strategic reassessment of the Center in consultation with his faculty, 

staff, and U.S. and regional stakeholders. Under Dr. Downie’s leadership, CHDS has continued to grow 

and to develop new programs, particularly in the fields of alumni outreach and coordination with partner 

institutions. CHDS introduced Advanced Courses in 2007 and Specialized Courses in 2011.

At the 2010 DMA IX in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, then–Secretary of Defense Robert Gates pledged two scholarships 

to each Minister of Defense for future CHDS courses, and offered CHDS seminars to those ministers so 

desiring. In 2011, CHDS received 13 ministerial requests. In its 14th year, CHDS will continue to build on the 

strong foundation of its mission.

History

Annual Report FY2011 7

CHDS began the 2011 fiscal year with ambitious expansion goals, both in personnel and programs. By the end of the fiscal year the faculty had increased by more 

than a third, with a concurrent broadening and deepening of the talent base, and 

had significantly increased throughput in both its graduate-producing and outreach 

programs. More importantly, what increased even more than numbers was the international stature of the Center, poignantly demonstrated during a November 2010 

address by then–Secretary of Defense Robert Gates given to regional defense ministers. In his speech at the Defense Ministerial of the Americas in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, 

Secretary Gates said that “greater civilian expertise requires more education.” and 

announced that the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies had “committed to providing each [minister and his or her ministry] two scholarships to [CHDS’s] courses, which is exactly the type 

of exchange that fosters mutual understanding.”

With this auspicious endorsement, the Center embarked on its most productive year to date, conducting 

more courses, conferences, seminars, workshops, and outreach activities, and touching more people, than in 

any previous year. CHDS designed the new Combating Transnational Organized Crime course in response to 

regional demand and the recently released White House Strategy to Combat Transnational Criminal Organizations document. 

CHDS’s FY2011 core activities centered on three resident courses: the Strategy and Defense Policy course 

(SDP), the Interagency Coordination and Combating Terrorism course (ICCT), and the Perspectives on 

Homeland Security and Defense course (PHSD). Additional program highlights included those that deepened 

individual and institutional relationships and focused on critical elements as defined by the policy guidance 

issued by the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD-P).

To fulfill the Center’s mission to strengthen, sustain, and enhance relationships with participants, alumni, and 

institutions, CHDS expanded its program of accredited resident Advanced Courses and participated in several 

in-region activities with other institutions and CHDS alumni. 

CHDS continued to expand its research and publication initiatives in FY2011. Most prominent was a largescale case study on Colombia commissioned by the USSOUTHCOM Commander. In August 2011, CHDS 

published this unique case study, entitled, “Colombia’s Road to Recovery: Security and Governance 1982–

2010.” CHDS also released the first volume of a new publication series titled “Strategic Issues in US/Latin 

American Relations” and published Volume 12 of the Security and Defense Studies Review.

CHDS’s efforts to support local alumni associations and their activities have created thriving communities 

of interest that actively engage on topical security and defense issues. CHDS’s Outreach Program expanded 

the use of video-teleconferencing as a cost-effective method to conduct workshops with alumni around the 

hemisphere. CHDS’s professors also participated in more than 100 outreach activities, primarily academic 

lectures and presentations. More than half of these presentations were paid for by the host organization. 

Overall, the prolific programs in FY2011 have reinforced the role of CHDS as the region’s partner of choice 

for matters related to national security and defense. CHDS’s relationships provide U.S. stakeholders with 

unparalleled access to senior leaders and opinion makers within the hemisphere.

Dr. Richard D. Downie, Ph.D.

Director

Director’s Overview

7

Annual Report FY2011 9

Academic Programs

CHDS Academic Programs for the fiscal year comprise a series of courses, seminars, conferences, workshops, and research projects. These activities are distributed within four levels: Basic Courses (sets the foundation), Specialized Programs (addresses advanced requirements and sustains contact while attracting more 

experienced newcomers to CHDS), Advanced Courses (sustains the CHDS Fellow), and Strategic Interaction 

(engages the senior executive.) The optimal mix of participants for most events is 75% civilian (including 

police), and 25% military/defense forces.
Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies 10

Basic Courses (Foundation Setting)

Our Foundational Course, the Strategy and Defense Policy Course was strengthened in 2011 through the 

addition of a distance learning phase immediately preceding the three-week in-residence phase. The inresidence phase also benefitted from a reorganization, which included the adoption of a more intellectually 

rigorous syllabus. 

Strategy and Defense Policy Course (SDP)

31 January–18 February 2011 

Washington, D.C.

Participants: 75

18 Nations Represented: 

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, 

Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela

Issues examined: defense and security policy formulation and implementation, resource management, 

civilian-military and law enforcement cooperation, defense economics, interagency and international 

coordination, and control and oversight. Exercises include lectures, individual studies, visits to U.S. 

government organizations, and CHDS’s unique “Table Top Simulations,” which help students to apply class 

concepts to a realistic (yet hypothetical) scenario. 

“The course went beyond my expectations. 

I was extremely happy with the high level of 

intellectual capacity of the group participants. 

In addition, I would highlight the high 

intellectual level of the professors/facilitators 

and the visiting speakers.” 

—2011 SDP Graduate

100% of graduate survey

respondents agreed that the

content of the course expanded

their understanding of strategy

and policy in the defense sector.
Annual Report FY2011 11

Specialized Programs 

These courses and events provide opportunities for education in focused, thematic, advanced policy making 

and are targeted to both CHDS alumni and newcomers with high levels of experience in these fields. These 

courses can also be brought to venues within the region. 

Combating Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Networks in the Americas (CTOC)

Issues examined: transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and strategies, mechanisms, and processes that 

can be used to evaluate and address the threats posed by TCOs for government and non-government officials 

directly involved with issues of national security and defense, law enforcement, and illicit trafficking. 

Advanced Courses 

Advanced Courses are designed to supplement the educational experience of alumni of the Center’s basic 

course and specialized programs. In addition to the courses listed below, CHDS also conducts topic-specific, 

in-region seminars and workshops for audiences who are selected by the Country Teams at the U.S. Embassy 

or CHDS Alumni Associations, and/or through self-nomination.

Advanced Civil/Political/Military Relations and Democratic Leadership (ACPMR)

14 October–3 November 2010 

Washington, D.C.

Participants: 21

12 Nations Represented: 

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, United States, Uruguay, 

Venezuela

Issues examined: civil-military relations within the context of the democratic process, and models of 

political/military cooperation in the region 

“The concepts learned during 

these weeks, in both the online 

and residential phases, have 

enriched me professionally...” 

—2011 ACPMR Graduate
Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies 12

Governance, Governability and Security in the Americas (GGSA)

14 October–3 November 2010 

Washington, D.C.

Participants: 14

10 Nations represented:

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, 

United States, Venezuela

Issues examined: processes and mechanisms that contribute to sociopolitical and economic stability, contemporary issues of governance and 

governability from national, regional and global perspectives

“The course showed me there 

is much more to learn and 

understand. Professionally, 

it will help me to have a 

greater vision of my country’s 

situation and not to generalize 

every situation.” 

—2011 GGSA graduate

“I am thankful for the possibility of taking this course, of having access to information and to be 

treated so well. I am thankful for the level and accessibility of the professors and the attention of 

those taking care of each of us.”—2011 GGSA Graduate

Class Survey Excerpts:

“Do you consider that the Distance Learning Phase was useful to the course development?”

Strongly agree: 81.8 percent

Agree: 19.2 percent

“Courses goals and learning objectives were made clear prior to the course and underscored during the 

course.” 

Yes: 100 percent
Annual Report FY2011 13

Strategy and International Security (SIS)

14 October–3 November 2010 

Washington, D.C.

Participants: 17

13 Nations represented: 

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, 

Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, 

Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Suriname

Issues examined: international security 

strategies, including management of 

information and the use of force, in the context 

of international relations theory

Perspectives on Homeland Security and Defense (PHSD)

21 March–1 April, 2011

Washington, D.C. 

Participants: 41

17 Nations represented:

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, 

Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela

Issues examined: international models of homeland security and defense, regional cooperation in response to 

natural and man-made threats throughout the Western Hemisphere. The first week of the course takes place 

in Washington, D.C., and the second week is held at NORTHCOM Headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

This course will become a specialized course in FY2012, and is also CTFP funds–qualified. 
Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies 14

Interagency Coordination and Combating Terrorism (ICCT)

6–24 June 2011 

Washington, D.C. 

Participants: 73

18 Nations Represented:

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, 

Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Uruguay, United States, Venezuela

Issues examined: the strengths and weaknesses of interagency coordination among all sectors of government 

in confronting non-traditional threats to security and defense, with a focus on terrorism. This course will 

refocus on just interagency coordination and will become a specialized course in FY2012.

Terrorism and Counterinsurgency Advanced Policymaking

20–22 June 2011 Two-Day Seminar

San Salvador, El Salvador

Participants: 80

3 Nations Represented:

El Salvador, Peru, Brazil

Issues examined: conflicts dominated by insurgency and terrorism; reasons for the emergence of insurgency 

and terrorism; the comparative political and theoretical approaches to insurgent strategy, mobilization, 

operations; and organization and countermeasures. This seminar is CTFP funds–qualified. 

75% of students believe the methodologies, knowledge, and case studies used 

during the course helped them improve coordination for better cooperation in 

fighting transnational organized crime and terrorism in Latin America. 100% of 

the 73 Fellows recommend continuing this course in future iterations and will 

recommend this course to a colleague. —ICCT post-course survey results
Annual Report FY2011 15

Advanced Defense Policy (ADP)

April 2011 

Washington, D.C.

A special version of the ADP was conducted for 55 students representing 

the Inter-American Defense College. 

16 Nations Represented: 

Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, 

Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, United States, Uruguay

Issues examined: international relations theory, strategy, defense policy, and defense analysis. Focus on 

conception, formulation, implementation, and evaluation skills with regard to defense policy.
Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies 16

NationLab Program

CHDS conducted five NationLabs in 2011 and three NationLab planning sessions:

• 25–29 October 2010, Peru

• 8–12 November, Mexico (ESNAV)

• 29 November–3 December, Chile (ANEPE)

• 23–27 May, El Salvador (CAEE)

• 27 June–1 July, Jamaica

• NLAB Meetings in Panama, Honduras, and Mexico

NationLab is an interactive educational event providing hands-on experience in the formulation of strategy 

and policy with respect to defense and security issue of importance to CHDS partner institutions in Latin 

America. Each NationLab event is custom-designed by CHDS with a specific partner institution and the incountry U.S. embassy team. A typical NationLab is a week-long exercise that involves a problem-solving role 

play with a serious national security challenge (e.g., narcotrafficking, terrorism, or multinational operations 

in contexts such as disaster relief) to the educational benefit of both CHDS leaders and partner nation 

participants. For example, during the November 2010 NationLab event with CESNAV, 134 students took 

part in the UN Conference “Enhancing Public-Private Partnership to Strengthen the Protection of Vulnerable 

Targets in the State of Jalisco.”
Annual Report FY2011 17

Senior Executive/Strategic Interaction Events

These events are designed for policy makers and institutional leaders, and may take place both in partner 

nations and in Washington, D.C.

Washington Security and Defense Seminar (WSDS) 

26–30 September 2011

Washington, D.C.

Participants: 60

18 Nations Represented: 

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, 

Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uganda, United States, Uruguay

Issues examined: the main perspectives on national objectives, preferences on strategies, policy guidelines, 

and the dynamics of decision making in a democratic society. WSDS provided the unique opportunity to 

exchange ideas with key U.S. government officials. 

National Security Planning Workshops (NSPW)

The NSPW is an innovative approach to national security planning developed by CHDS. It was originally 

conducted in Panama in 2004 for the incoming Torrijos administration, and has been successfully held 

thirteen times. Participation in the National Security Planning Workshop is by invitation only. The NSPW 

is held at the request of a country’s top leaders, and each is carefully developed in close coordination with 

the U.S. Country Team and key host nation officials. Normally a two and a half day event focused on senior 

national leaders (ministers, members of the legislature, and military commanders/national police chiefs), the 

workshop is designed to yield a draft or outline of a document pertaining to national security and defense 

strategy.

CHDS conducted a NSPW follow-on event supporting the 2010 NSPW for Belize; additionally, CHDS planned 

for two 2011 NSPWs for partner nations, but both were postponed until 2012. These events are subject to 

political-military sensitivities.
Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies 18

Metrics and Measures of Effectiveness

CHDS measures its “value added and / or return on investment” by following a simple system to evaluate 

the most promising candidates for our unique security and defense educational experiences. These 

governmental and nongovernmental officials are the CHDS-described “Inputs” who, upon completion of 

their studies, transition to “Outputs.” Each Output (Fellow) departs with specified or implied requirements/

tasks; and over time produce “Outcomes” that complement U.S. national goals and objectives. CHDS attracts 

the most qualified and motivated candidates for our courses in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy Country 

Team in each partner nation. Following completion of the coursework, CHDS maintains contact with these 

Outputs (or Fellows) as they move upward and onward in their security and defense careers. CHDS provides a 

variety of opportunities to enhance individual capacity and skill sets, thus sustaining the security and defense 

communities of practice and interest until the Fellows become decision or opinion makers at the strategic 

interaction level. At this level CHDS facilitates the senior executive dialogues, resulting in desired Outcomes or 

end-states. 

CHDS uses pre- and post-event surveys, pre-, during, and post-event evaluations and papers and anecdotal 

information, some requested but most often unsolicited, to measure its level of success and establish the 

exceptional value which CHDS adds to the U.S. mission in the Western Hemisphere.

The transition from CHDS graduate to prominent decision maker can range from six months to three years. 

In some cases, partner nation rising decision makers enroll in our foundational courses in order to gain the 

phenomenal benefits of a CHDS education and also the CHDS extended alumni network. 

A prominent former Minister of Defense 

for Uruguay, now a Senator, says: “I 

became Vice Minister, then Minister 

of Defense, because I attended CHDS 

security and defense courses and events.” 

Total Graduates by 

Fiscal Year
Annual Report FY2011 19

CHDS succeeds and adds value to the U.S. mission through: 

• Facilitation and participation in national security and defense conversations that influence the 

policy direction taken by partner nations, institutional and individual clients, our extensive and 

geopolitically relevant course offerings, workshops, seminars and executive dialogues that respond to 

the diverse needs and requests of partner nations and the U.S. government;

• Reinforcement of both a common bond and the value for rule of law throughout the Western 

Hemispheric nations through robust in-region outreach, including courses and events;

• Communication of “good” governance practice through information sharing on a variety of pressing 

regional issues, including: defense support to civilian authorities; lessons learned while confronting 

global security threats within a regional context; the use of global strategic resources; and 

technological innovations that support the dissemination of information about defense and security 

issues.

Throughout FY2011, CHDS received senior leader requests for assistance/facilitation of a variety of 

events and dialogues. CHDS was able to demonstrate the unique and pivotal role it plays as a USG 

institution in 2011 in many ways, including but not limited to the following examples:

Trinidad and Tobago (Prime Minister): National Security Policy Workshop (NSPW);

Costa Rica (President via her Minister of Justice): Ministry of Security Workshop as a follow-up to past 

NSPW efforts by CHDS;

Panama (via the Minister of Justice): assistance in the establishment of a defense and security “think 

tank” for the nation; 

Guatemala (Offices of the President-elect and the Minister of Defense): assistance with the drafting, 

articulating, and disseminating of a national security policy;

El Salvador (Vice Minister of Defense): facilitation with their recently published National Security 

Strategy (based on a previously delivered CHDS NSPW);

Paraguay (Minister of Defense): assistance with Civilian Education, Defense Ministry, National Defense 

Strategy, and Force Transformation;

Uruguay (Vice Minister of Defense): assistance with Defense/Civilian Education, specifically to facilitate 

the strategic communication of the new National Defense plan; 

Brazil (Office of the Minister of Defense): assistance via CHDS’s “RIO Games” in preparation for 

the Olympics. Note: CHDS facilitated the Caribbean interagency security coordination and policy 

development for the 2007 World Cricket Cup;

CHDS pre-event surveys indicated 

that Fellows continue to highly 

value CHDS and its products 

as roughly 90% of received 

applications were a direct result 

of recommendations by CHDS 

alumni or alumni supervisors.

CHDS surveys found that of our FY2011 graduates:

• 100% introduce new skills to their workplace or use 

their acquired skills to finalize a task;

• 75% lead sessions on international cooperation on 

security challenges;

• 73 % facilitate interdepartmental and interagency 

collaboration and cooperation.
Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies 20

Nations of the Caribbean: Regional Security System Headquarters requesting facilitation in the 

development of a Regional Security Strategy; 

System for Regional Security in Central America (SICA) (Secretary General of SICA): requesting 

CHDS facilitation with their draft regional security strategy.

In FY2011 CHDS professors participated in events with more than 100 educational institutions in the region, 

evidence that CHDS personnel are sought out and that CHDS actively supports the communication of defense 

and security information via educational institutions (including partner institutions) throughout the Western 

Hemisphere.

A quantitative snapshot of 2011 academic programs at CHDS through the lens of post-course surveys reveals 

that CHDS course and event participants planned to:

Introduce the new ideas into the workplace in their respective nations, 100%

• Publish on security matters within home country, 62% 

• Discuss and explain U.S. policy to colleagues/co-workers, 51%

• Present a public lecture on a security topic, 51%

• Develop a new policy document as a consequence of CHDS participation, 44%

Facilitate collaboration and cross-sector dialogue, 73%

• Knowledge gained from CHDS will be applied to:

◦ Security-sector reform, 68%

◦ Civil-military relation, 62%

Educate about international cooperation on security challenges, 75%

• Role of the military and police in civil society, 61%

• Countering transnational organized crime/threats, 55%

Exercise increased ability to do their current job, 86%

While in-person visits continue to play an integral role in our outreach and support programming, use of 

video-teleconferencing (VTC) for virtual events has doubled since 2010. VTC technology will form the foundation of cost-effective CHDS outreach programming as we continue to expand its use in FY2012. 

Having hosted 245 events involving more than 16,000 participants in FY2011, CHDS exceeded expectations 

to address the needs of the partner nations, improving their individual and collective capacity to successfully 

perform in a national, regional, and international context on defense and security issues. 
Annual Report FY2011 21

Outreach

CHDS Visits to Partner Institutions and Partner Visits to Washington, D.C.

CHDS faculty and staff traveled extensively throughout the Hemisphere in 2011 to communicate with alumni, 

partner institutions, and prospective students about opportunities and programs at the Center. In addition to 

visiting 17 countries in the Hemisphere, faculty often used video teleconference (VTC) technology to deliver 

academic content to hundreds of interested security and defense professionals in their own languages. 

CHDS has established active partnerships with 17 governmental institutions and many more nongovernmental academic institutions where CHDS alumni are currently academicians or administrators.

In addition to CHDS in-region activities, the Center invites many partner institutions and policy makers to 

come to Washington, D.C. for partnership-building visits. In 2011, CHDS hosted more than thirty visiting 

delegations comprising almost 3,000 individuals. 2011 CHDS visitors included: 

• Colombian Minister of Defense 

Rodrigo Rivera Salazar

• Panamanian Minister of Public 

Security Jose Raul Mulino

• Mexico’s Naval War College 

(CESNAV)

• El Salvador’s Center for High 

Strategic Studies (CAEE)

• Colombia’s National War 

College (ESDEGUE) 

• Chilean National Academy of 

Political and Strategic Studies 

(ANEPE) 

Our faculty works closely with foreign partners and the U.S. 

Embassy Country Team in each country to develop targeted 

academic exchange programs that deliver appropriate and timely 

content to emerging leaders in the region, to learn about the 

initiatives of regional institutions, and to reinforce America’s role 

as the international partner of choice for security and defense 

collaboration—academic and otherwise. 
Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies 22

Sub-regional Conference

July 2011, Santiago Chile 

CHDS sub-regional conferences gather exceptional CHDS Fellows as well as selected, internationally respected 

experts to present papers on security and defense topics of mutual concern and interest. 

Security and Defense Education Conference

September 2011, Washington, D.C.

This thematic conference concluded a three-year series on security 

and defense education in the Americas. Co-hosted with the InterAmerican Defense College, this event gathered leaders of over 120 

government and nongovernmental security and defense studies 

institutions from throughout the Americas to present the results of 

a one-year research project by CHDS and Fellows on positive lessons 

and methodologies. CHDS presented the first comprehensive Western 

Hemisphere directory of these types of institutions, and will publish 

the results of the study in 2012.
Annual Report FY2011 23

Alumni Associations

Alumni associations continue to play an important role in the CHDS 

mission to build and sustain relationships. 2011 was a year of change 

and renewal for many CHDS alumni associations. Two new associations 

were formed, while other established groups voted in new elected 

officials. The use of VTC technology and social media sites such as 

Facebook as tools for engagement and communication with CHDS, 

association members, as well as other alumni around the region, is 

expanding.

ALUMNI NEWS

Alumni News was launched in the fall of 2010 to showcase CHDS alumni 

and their achievements. The newsletter is published (in Spanish and 

English) about eight times a year and highlights association activities, 

individual alumni professional news such as job promotions and 

publications, as well CHDS regional outreach events. 

OUTREACH EVENTS

Central America

El Salvador

The alumni association in El Salvador initiated a popular monthly educational VTC program in 2011 and 

also helped plan and execute June’s TCI Seminar. The seminar was created by alumni association president 

Ricardo Gomez Hecht, and was based on his final project for a course he took at the Asia-Pacific Center for 

Strategic Studies.

Guatemala

The association is forming a VTC program that 

will be launched in 2012. 

Honduras

Honduras established an alumni association at 

the end of FY2011, and a NationLab is scheduled 

for FY2012.

Caribbean

Regional and Jamaica

During the Alumni Workshop held in Washington, 

D.C., in September 2010, the English-speaking 

participants began the process of establishing a Caribbean-specific alumni association, which is now officially 

based in Jamaica. 

Dominican Republic

In 2011 the association held regular meetings and maintained an active Facebook page. The association also 

hosted visiting CHDS faculty for an alumni gathering in May.
Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies 24

South America

Argentina

The alumni association in Argentina is one of the flagship CHDS alumni associations. During 2011, the 

association regrouped and created association statutes, registering their association as a legal entity.

Brazil

CHDS faculty were invited to participate in drafting the first Brazilian Defense White Book and conduct 

programs for more than 5,000 officers in Brazilian military schools. 

Bolivia

In Bolivia, CHDS was invited by the Office of the President (proposed by CHDS fellows within the government) 

to conduct a defense ministerial workshop, which resulted in a national counterterrorism strategy.

Chile

The alumni association in Chile hosted an alumni meeting prior to the start of the sub regional conference in 

Santiago in July. The meeting was attended by many local graduates, as well as alumni from other countries 

who were in Chile to attend the SRC.

Colombia 

In August the Colombian alumni association cosponsored a public conference, “Ten Years after 9/11: 

Evolution and Perspectives of International Terrorism,” 

held at Universidad Militar Nueva Grenada and 

attended by more than 300 people. 

Paraguay

The Paraguayan alumni association maintains a strong 

relationship with the U.S. Embassy Office of Defense 

Cooperation, and in July, hosted a CHDS visiting 

delegation, assisting with ministerial, congressional 

and academic visits.

Peru

In November 2010, the Peruvian alumni association sponsored its first annual security and defense 

conference attended by more than 275 military and civilian participants. Conference speakers included CHDS 

faculty along with professionals from the Western Hemisphere and Europe.

Uruguay

A CHDS delegation visited Uruguay in July 

2011 with significant assistance from the 

alumni association that coordinated an 

extremely well-attended conference at 

Universidad Católica. 
Annual Report FY2011 25
Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies 26

Social Media Platforms

Throughout 2011, CHDS expanded its web presence in order to stay better connected with our geographically 

widespread alumni and greater online community. CHDS maintains Facebook pages in both English and 

Spanish, which, in combination with our Twitter account (@CHDSonline), is updated continuously to promote 

CHDS programs, events, awards, and publications. These sites are complemented by the CHDS Flickr account 

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdsonline) to which we post photos of our faculty and administrators at 

work, engaging in events and academic programs both in Washington, D.C., and throughout the region.

The following graphs highlight the surging popularity of our Facebook sites throughout 2011, which together 

reach users from at least 32 different countries.

Facebook English 

(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-For-Hemispheric-Defense-Studies-CHDS/61099114218)

Facebook Spanish 

(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Centro-de-Estudios-Hemisfericos-de-DefensaCHDS/111736515513196)

On both our Spanish 

and English Facebook 

pages, we experienced 

a spike in activity 

following our summer 

2011 courses. Alumni 

and fan activity on 

Facebook remained 

high and was increasing 

again at the end of 

FY2011.
Annual Report FY2011 27

e-Learning and Digital Resources

CHDS employs a host of online and digital resources to 

complement our on-campus academic programs, events, 

and publications.

CHDSNET

http://chdsnet.org 

• dynamic and secure online community for CHDS 

faculty, staff, students, alumni, and participants to 

maintain contact 

Blackboard 

http://ndu.blackboard.com

• Class announcements, assignments, and reading 

material are posted through blackboard

• For our 11 courses in 2011, 328 students participated 

in online pre-course programs using blackboard

CHDS Website and Digital Resources

•	 http://www.ndu.edu/chds/ and https://

digitalndulibrary.ndu.edu/cdm4/search_chdspub.php

• all CHDS digital publications

• 9,715 documents have been downloaded since Digital 

Resources has been created

NDU Library/MERLN (Military Education Research 

Library Network) 

http://merln.ndu.edu 

• physical library as well as a vast array of research 

engines and article databases for educational use

• MERLN is public, and devoted to international military 

education outreach 

Daily News Roundup 

• free subscription service that gathers the day’s top 

news stories in Latin American politics and security in 

one location, run by CHDS PAO and StratCom 

• 590 new subscribers since June 2011, bringing the total 

non-CHDS faculty and staff readership to 3,450 

Webstreaming of Courses and Events 

• implemented in September 2011, combining a stateof-the-art VTC system with both live and on-demand 

streaming capabilities

• 634 web visitors from 52 different countries have used 

this new feature since its inception
Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies 28

Research and Publications

The programs for Research and Publications have expanded substantially in 2011. Our new publications 

team and newly established list of literary outlets for CHDS publication will ensure future expansion in 

these programs.

The department welcomed a new team in 2011, headed by well-known Latin Americanist Howard J. Wiarda, 

Advisor to the Director and Assistant Director of Research and Publications. He is joined by Yamile Kahn, 

Managing Editor of Publications, and Patricia Kehoe, Assistant Editor.

2011 Program Overview

• Security and Defense Studies Review (SDSR): This academic journal, published twice yearly, 

contains scholarly articles, policy statements, and book reviews. Volume 11: Focus on Women in 

Defense and Security, published in December 2010, has been our most successful volume to date, with 

2,956 print editions released to the public and 739 digital downloads from the CHDS website. 

• Research Papers: These papers represent the culmination of stakeholder-sponsored research 

projects undertaken by CHDS faculty. 2011’s ground breaking study, “Colombia’s Road to Recovery: 

Security and Governance 1982–2010,” identifies the key factors for the success of the Colombian 

government in reversing decades of strife and recovering democratic stability. The true value of 

this paper is the perspective of longtime participants and observers of Colombia’s government and 

resulting analysis—a Colombia-specific analysis of the dynamics of success, largely absent from 

contemporary academic work on the subject. 

• Occasional Papers: These papers provide a timely platform for actionable summaries of ongoing 

significant CHDS research. 2011–2012 marks the first series of these papers, titled “Strategic Issues in 

US/Latin American Relations.” Dr. Richard Downie published “Critical Strategic Decisions in Mexico: 

The Future of US/Mexican Defense Relations,” his study of contemporary US-Mexican military 

relations.

• Regional Insights Newsletters: These newsletters offer concise policy statements, containing timely 

analyses of important events and issues throughout the region. 

2011 Fall-Winter Issue / Volume 12 1

Policy StatementS

Cresencio Arcos, “U.S.–Latin American Security 

Ties: Episodic Relationships”

María Luisa Parraguez Kobek, “Securing 

Defense and Cooperation in South America: 

Geopolitical Changes, UNASUR, and the SDC”

R. Evan Ellis, “The United States and China in 

Latin America: Cooperation and Competition”

country and regional iSSueS

Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, “Political Acumen and 

Geopolitical Anxiety in Suriname”

David Spencer, “The Evolution and 

Implementation of FARC Strategy: Insights from Its 

Internal documents”

Sérgio Luiz Cruz Aguilar, “A Particição SulAmericana Nas Operações de Paz da ONU: 

Algumas Consideracões”

Strategic and Security iSSueS

Jaime García Covarrubias, “Liderazgo 

Estrategico en Defensa”

W. Alejandro Sánchez, “Sangre Joven: 

Understanding the new wave of Armed Groups in 

Latin America”

Vicente Torrijos, “La Legítima Defensa en 

Perspectiva” 

Juan Carlos Gómez, “La Utilización de las 

Fuerzas Militares en un Ambiente Criminal y no de 

Guerra: Desafíos del Siglo XXI”

cooPeration and controvery

Kevin Newmeyer, "The Honduran 

Coup of 2009 and the Inter-American 

Democratic Charter"

Howard J. Wiarda and Hilary 

Collins, "Constitutional Coups? 

Military Intervention in Latin America"

Hernán Castillo,"Cultura Política y 

Fuerzas Armadas en Venezuela"

Luis Hernández, "El Control Civil de 

las Fuerzas Armadas en el Ecuador. 

¿Intento Fallido?"

Book reviewS

Matthew Finger: Review of Jodi 

Vittori, Terrorist Financing and 

Resourcing

Joanna Gillia: Review of Cristina 

Marcano and Alberto Barrera Tyszka, 

Hugo Chávez

Patricia Kehoe: Review of Hal 

Brands, Latin America’s Cold War

Celina Realuyo: Review of Joseph 

Nye, The Future of Power 

Richard W. Taylor: Review of Jorge 

G. Castañeda, Mañana Forever: 

Mexico and the Mexicans

Volume 12, Numbers 1 & 2

Fall – Winter 2011

ISSN: 1533-2535

July 2011 Volume 1 Number 1

Strategic Issues in U.S.-Latin American Relations

Critical Strategic Decisions in Mexico: the Future of US/Mexican Defense Relations

1

July 2011 Volume 1 Number 1

Strategic Issues in US/Latin American Relations

Critical Strategic Decisions in Mexico:

the Future of US/Mexican Defense Relations

by Dr. Richard D. Downie

Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies National Defense University

CHDS Occasional Paper

July 2011 Volume 1 Number 1

Strategic Issues in U.S.-Latin American Relations

Critical Strategic Decisions in Mexico: the Future of US/Mexican Defense Relations

1

July 2011 Volume 1 Number 1

Strategic Issues in US/Latin American Relations

Critical Strategic Decisions in Mexico:

the Future of US/Mexican Defense Relations

by Dr. Richard D. Downie

Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies National Defense University

CHDS Occasional Paper

CENTER FOR HEMISPHERIC DEFENSE STUDIES

2012 Edition, no. 1 (April)

Regional Insights

Lat i n am e r i c a n Ou t LO O k 2017

By R. Evan Ellis 

CHDS Associate Professor of National Security Affairs

Abstract: This article addresses the major themes and pivot points of the defense and security environment of Latin America 

through the next five years. This analysis begins with the projection of nine major ongoing themes in the region: the rise of an 

Asia-oriented political economy; the expansion of Chinese defense engagement; a transformation from Bolivarianism to Chinese 

Clientelism; indigenous resistance to development and integration; the deepening of the Central American crisis; new technologies 

and patterns in drug trafficking; emerging Asia–Latin America criminal flows; and the competing concepts of regional integration, all themes that will play out throughout Latin America. The article then lists several issues that could change the direction 

in which the region is heading, including a catastrophic natural disaster, a significant external economic shock, and a terrorist 

attack or sustained U.S. military action in the region. Regarding emerging important actors, over the next five years several 

states will increase their economic and political ties to Latin America, including China, India, Russia, and Iran, while within 

the region Brazil will assume a central role. Latin American militaries will also continue to play an important role in combating 

transnational organized crime and internal security issues, and responding to natural disasters. 

The defense and security environment in Latin America is undergoing a significant transition. This article analyzes 

some of the current trends and how they might affect the region over the next five years, with a focus on four 

questions:

• What will be the major themes/trends in the region in 2012 and through 2017?

• What major issues/events could change the direction in which the region is heading?

• Who will be the major actors in the region over the next five years?

• What role will the military play in the region over the next five years?

Because the forecast period is fairly close in, most of the trends that will impact the region during this time have their 

roots in dynamics that are playing out at the present time.

Regional Insights is a publication of the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies. The views represented are those of the author and do not necessarily 

reflect those of the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government. Copies of CHDS publications can 

be obtained on the CHDS website at http://www.ndu.edu/chds.
Annual Report FY2011 29

Recognition and Acknowledgments

A rigorous pace of education, outreach, and research has kept the center buzzing with 

activity in 2011, but CHDS still found time to recognize some of the special people 

who have contributed immensely to the Center’s academic and outreach programs 

throughout the year. 

Throughout 2011, Dr. Richard Downie recognized and acknowledged individuals 

and groups for their significant contributions that reflect the Center’s mission. 

These contributions include the promotion of education, research, outreach, and 

knowledge sharing in defense and security issues in the Western Hemisphere that 

lead to enhancing professional security and defense capacity, advancing a cooperative 

international security environment, fostering effective civil-military relations, and 

adherence to CHDS’s core values.

Dr. William J. Perry Award for Excellence in Security and Defense 

Education 2011 Awardees 

Individual Category

Former Brazilian Minister of Defense Nelson de Azevedo 

Jobim

The William J. Perry award in the individual category for 

Excellence in Defense and Security Education was awarded to 

the former Minister of Defense of Brazil, Mr. Nelson Jobim who 

as Defense Minister championed a strategic approach to his 

country’s defense, both within Brazil and regionally. He led the 

process to review Brazil’s National Defense Policy and launched 

the first Brazilian National Defense Strategy, working with the 

extensive participation of Brazil’s civil society. 

Institutional Category

The National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program 

The 2011 William J. Perry award in the institutional category 

for Excellence in Defense and Security Education was awarded 

to the United States National Guard’s State Partnership 

Program (SPP). The award was accepted by General Craig R. 

McKinley, USAF and current Chief of the National Guard Bureau; 

Lieutenant General John B. Conaway, USAF (Ret.) and former 

Chief of the National Guard Bureau and founder of the SPP; 

Major General Emmett R. Titshaw Jr., USAF and Adjutant General, 

State of Florida; and Major General James A. Hoyer, US Army and 

Adjutant General, State of West Virginia. Dr. Downie commended 

the Partnership’s proven flexible and extremely diverse program, 

tailored to meet the security needs and capabilities of partner 

nations with a focus on long-lasting relationships and mutual 

trust. SPP activities include conferences and workshops to foster 

stronger institutions, cooperative solutions to shared problems, and advance leader development programs. 
Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies 30

Special Recognition

In May of 2011, shortly before handing over his responsibilities as Military Deputy Commander of 

USSOUTHCOM, Lieutenant General P.K. (Ken) Keen paid a visit to CHDS, during which Dr. Richard Downie 

honored him with a certificate recognizing him as an Honorary Distinguished Member of CHDS. 

Peruvian Major General Raul Larrea, the outgoing Chief of 

Studies at the Inter-American Defense College, was honored 

as a CHDS Ambassador of Goodwill. 

Professors at the College of International Security Studies; 

Dr. Craig Deare and Dr. Thomaz Costa earned honors as 

Distinguished Members Emeritus of CHDS for their years of 

hard work on behalf of the Center. 

Visiting Professor and Colombian Colonel Juan Carlos 

Gomez, Director of Colombia’s Military Institute for 

Aeronautics (IMA) received the CHDS Director’s Award 

for Excellence as he continues the mission of security and 

defense education in the Americas. 

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Julio Hang of Argentina and the Honorable Albert Zapanta, CEO U.S.-Mexico 

Chamber of Commerce recognized as Honorary Distinguished Senior Fellows of CHDS for their teaching 

excellence. 

Dr. Luis Kun received special recognition as one of three individuals on the 

Board of Governors of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 

Computer Society to receive the 2011 Golden Core Member Award. With more 

than 450,000 members worldwide, the IEEE is the world’s largest professional 

association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for 

the benefit of humanity. 
Annual Report FY2011 31

Looking Ahead

With an eye on the evolving needs of the future, the Center continues to reassess itself and to make 

adjustments to ensure that CHDS and its products remain on the cutting edge.

 

For the past two years, we have conducted a continuous, detailed, 360-degree clean-slate review by 

developing and modifying various methodologies while leveraging current and emerging technologies. This 

process has provided incredible dividends. We continue to ensure that our flagship SDP course provides 

the most up-to-date content for our Western Hemisphere Fellows and Partners to develop, coordinate, and 

present the best consultations to their national leaders and opinion makers. We will also expand our use 

of blended learning, which requires Fellows to accomplish more via distance learning prior to meeting inresidence for an even more enriching educational experience.

 

We will expand our educational outreach offerings in the newly established specialized programs so that 

CHDS Fellows acquire an advanced, thematically focused policy framework to enhance their capacity to 

serve successfully at the highest levels. Supporting this effort, we will seek to attract and invite advanced 

practitioners to participate in these events in order to provide broader experiences and lessons learned to 

current CHDS Fellows, employing the blended-learning methodology to deliver specialized-level courses, 

workshops, and seminars. We will also expand our Senior Executive interaction offerings by providing 

more opportunities for multi-national, multi-disciplined seminars and workshops that enhance the already 

powerful tool sets provided to senior executives, such as hands-on approaches and access to the most recent 

leaders and opinion makers available.

Our research and publications programs advanced to a new level with the arrival of a veteran editor and 

publications supervisor. CHDS will continue to publish its acclaimed Security and Defense Studies Review

and Regional Insights pieces, in addition to new publication series. CHDS will host bimonthly Hemispheric 

Forums to address developing concerns in the region. Our publications staff actively seeks submissions 

from CHDS alumni as well as potential Fellows and interested parties who want to share their ideas, lessons 

learned, and stories of success. While CHDS will strive to keep publishing the much-sought after hard copies, 

we also plan to explore the diverse array of online and digital publication opportunities available to us to 

most efficiently use our publishing resources.

 

Bringing together all these executive policy education outreach efforts will result in an ever-expanding role 

for our research and publications team. We will broaden partner institution and alumni collaboration through 

our new user-friendly, password-protected web portal, CHDSnet. CHDSnet will provide participants with 

a space to use as a repository for sharing of information, lessons learned, and after-action reports for the 

benefit of others. CHDSnet will also support webinars and real-time chats between professional practitioners 

and scholars.

The biggest shift in CHDS programming going forward will be our expanded in-region outreach. CHDS faculty 

and staff are developing mobile versions of our in-residence courses, workshops, and seminars in response 

to both demand and fiscal realities. CHDS has expanded and strengthened the former Faculty Outreach 

Seminar into the CHDS Executive Outreach Seminar that will include coordination and support from alumni 

groups and partner institutions as well as the US Embassy team to assist delivery of integrated events 

including executive dialogues, alumni workshops, and academic engagements. The initial 2011 beta tests 

exceeded CHDS and partner nations’ expectations and proved to be an exceptionally efficient and effective 

methodology.

 

CHDS faculty and staff are very excited about our new methodologies and plans to continue to meet or exceed 

the expectations of stakeholders and clients alike.
Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies 32

Inter-Agency Coordination and Combating Terrorism (ICCT)

2004-2011

•	 515 graduates

•	 27 countries 

Perspectives on Homeland Security and Defense (PHSD)

2009-2012

•	 156 graduates

•	 20 countries 

Senior Executive Dialogue (SED) 2004-2007

•	 97 graduates

•	 Ministers, Vice-Ministers, Chiefs of Defense

•	

Executive Defense Management Seminar (EDMS) 2009 

•	 25 graduates

•	 13 countries 

Washington Security and Defense Seminar (WSDS) 

for the Washington D.C. diplomatic community 1998-2011 

•	 528 graduates

•	 34 countries

2011 Research Projects

•	 Political-Military Relations and Defense Transformation 

for the 21st Century 

•	 Colors of Democracy in Latin America 

•	 Governance, Democracy and Security in a Globalized 

World 

•	 Trends in Hemispheric Security Regimes 

•	 Radical Populism in Latina America and the Impact on 

Security and Defense 

•	 Private Security in Latin America 

•	 El Salvador in Iraqi Freedom 

•	 Iran and the Americas

•	 Colombia Case Study

•	 Ethnic Politics and Security 

OUTREACH

Defense Education Seminars (EDS) and Research and Education in 

Defense Security Studies Seminars (REDES) 1998-2003

•	 1,274 participants

•	 39 countries

Sub-Regional Conferences (SRC) 2005-2011

•	 1,028 participants

•	 24 countries

Advanced Policymaking Seminars (APS) 2004-2011

•	 442 participants

•	 33 countries

NationLabs 2008-2011

•	 Computer simulation exercises with partner institution 

(National War Colleges, universities and the Inter-American 

Defense College) 

•	 22 countries

•	 2,014 participants 

National Security Planning Workshops (NSPW) 2004-2011 

•	 14 events in 10 countries

•	 500 senior leaders in attendance

ALUMNI RESEARCH

Alumni Associations (19)

Strategy and Defense Policy (SDP) course (1998-2011)

•	 1,675 graduates

•	 36 countries 

Caribbean Defense and Security 

Course (CDSC) 1998-2010

•	 404 graduates

•	 36 countries 

Advanced Courses (six courses) 2007-2011

•	 329 graduates

•	 34 countries

Amistad – “Defense Transformation” course 

with Inter-American Defense College (IADC) 2001-2009

•	 547 graduates

•	 22 countries 

CHDS Fact Sheet RESIDENT COURSES

Argentina

Belize *

Brazil *

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica *

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Guatemala

Guyana

Haiti *

Jamaica

Panama*

Paraguay

Peru

Trinidad & Tobago *

Uruguay

Venezuela 

* Informal Association

32
Annual Report FY2011 33

Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies

as of September 30, 2011

Office of the Director

Director Dr. Richard D. Downie

Deputy Director Mr. Kenneth LaPlante

Political Advisor AMB (Ret.) Cresencio Arcos*

Director, Research and Publications Dr. Howard Wiarda

Measures of Effectiveness Dr. Olivia McDonald*

SOUTHCOM Executive LNO Mr. Steven A. Meyer

NORTHCOM Executive LNO Mr. Rick Taylor

Strategic Communications Officer Mr. Martin E. Andersen

Strategic Program Manager Mr. Michael Mann

Managing Editor Ms. Yamile Kahn

Executive Assistant to the Director Ms. Maritza Monteverde

Executive Administrative Assistant Ms. Denise Alvarez

Research Assistant Ms. Patricia Kehoe

Dean, Academic Affairs

Dean Dr. Luis Bitencourt

Education Outreach and Research

Associate Dean RADM (Ret.) Manuel Lora Associate Dean Dr. Scott Tollefson

Professor Dr. Jaime García Professor Dr. Michael Gold-Biss

Associate Professor Dr. Patricia Escamilla-Hamm Professor Dr. Luis Kun

Assistant Professor Mr. Guillermo Pacheco Professor Dr. Salvador Raza

Assistant Professor Ms. Celina Realuyo Associate Professor Dr. Isidro Sepúlveda

Assistant Professor Mr. Pat Paterson Assistant Professor Dr. R. Evan Ellis

Chief of Defense Chair GEN (Ret.) Carlos Ospina Assistant Professor Mr. Kevin P. Newmeyer

Military Faculty CAPT Ricardo Hurtado Assistant Professor BG (Ret.) Boris Saavedra

Management Analyst Ms. Suzanne Heist Assistant Professor RADM (Ret.) Pedro De La Fuente

Research Analyst Ms. Andrea Moreno* Assistant Professor Dr. Alejandro Arbelaez

Dean, Students, Administration, and Outreach

Dean MG (Ret.) John Thompson

Operations Registrar

Chief Mr. Michael Borders Chief Registrar Mr. Van Beall

Coordinator Mr. Chris Hannigan Assistant Registrar Mr. Henry Tweddle

Coordinator Ms. Linda Denning Assistant Registrar Ms. Georgina Crovetto

Coordinator Mr. Michael Patykula* Institutional Relations Coordinator Ms. Kara O’Ryan

Program Specialist Mr. Agustín Rivera Assistant Alumni Coordinator Ms. Faith Pippin

Educational Support PM Mr. Frank McGurk* Assistant Alumni Coordinator Ms. Marcela González*

Student Support Ms. Audete Ramos* Multimedia Specialist Ms. Vivian Rodríguez

Student Support Ms. Alicia Brau*

Student Support Ms. Lourdes Wilson*

Student Support Ms. Alzira Fernandes*

Management Services Information Technology

Assistant Dean for Management Chief CTO/CIO Mr. Raul Neine

and Education Mr. Jeffrey Murphy Web Technician Mr. Alex Podpoly

Protocol Ms. Maria Martinez GlobalNet LNO Ms. Damarie Rovnak*

Protocol Ms. Monica Stapleton* Database Specialist Ms. Alicia Beall*

Program Specialist Ms. Alicia Torres-Ferrer 

Budget Specialist Ms. Mildred Belton*

* indicates that employee is an Educational Support Contractor
Center for Hemisp

heri

c Defense

Stu

dies

Staff &Faculty

Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies 36