Tampa, Fla. (Sept. 22, 2022) – The University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute and College of Arts and Sciences, in partnership with the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, will feature a high-profile lineup of speakers from the U.S. military, federal government and academia for the Sixth Great Power Competition Conference. Media is invited to attend the event Sept. 27-28, where Gen. (Ret) Frank McKenzie, executive director of the newly formed GNSI and former commander, U.S. Central Command, will be available for interviews between noon and 2 p.m.on both days. The conference takes place at the Marshall Student Center on the USF Tampa campus, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
With the theme “Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: Implications for the Central Region”, speakers will share their unique insights and perspectives on how the invasion has affected the area of responsibility for CENTCOM (based at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa), which encompasses Northeast Africa across the Middle East to Central and South Asia. The conference is part of an ongoing series of conferences to foster a broader understanding of the challenges facing the United States in the 21st century from competitors such as Russia, China and Iran.
“I’m looking forward to an active and thought-provoking dialogue considering the abundance of talent, experience and insight of our featured speakers and guests,” said McKenzie, one of the conference’s keynote speakers. “GNSI and these GPC conferences help fulfill the USF leadership’s strategic vision of leveraging the full spectrum of academic, government and industry capabilities to provide innovative solutions to 21st-century national security challenges.”
Attendees will hear from speakers with direct knowledge of the conflict’s impact on the region and the challenges it poses to U.S. foreign policy on several fronts, as well as examining whether the United States may need to pivot its focus, strategy and tactics in the region to respond to this new threat and changing landscape.
In addition to McKenzie, the event will feature a keynote address from Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, commander, CENTCOM and other noteworthy speakers. More information on the conference can be found here. It is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
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About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success, generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF has earned widespread national recognition for its success graduating under-represented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.