An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | June 7, 2023

Pentagon Official Says Next Generation of Leaders Key to Solving Security Challenges

By Joseph Clark DOD News

WASHINGTON -- Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin H. Kahl underscored today the critical role future leaders will have in addressing increasingly complex security challenges.

Speaking to an audience of students and young professionals at this year's NATO Youth Summit, Kahl said there is no shortage of pressing challenges on the horizon and that preparing the next generation of leaders is key to ensuring a "safer, more equitable and peace-oriented future."

"Young leaders like you are integral to our collective effort to safeguard the rules-based international order, which really undergirds our safety, our prosperity and our way of life," he told attendees. "You are convening at a time [of] tremendous change and grave threats to that order as demonstrated by Russia's brutal war of aggression in Ukraine, and Ukraine's valiant defense of the freedoms that many of us take for granted."

In addition to the acute threat posed by Russia, Kahl said tomorrow's leaders will carry the torch in addressing the pacing challenge posed by the People's Republic of China and the existential threat of climate change, while at the same time confronting the rise of disinformation and the implications of disruptive technologies.

"The world desperately and urgently needs creative solutions to complex problems like this, and your role in devising and implementing these creative solutions begins with your decision to engage and serve," he said.

Kahl, who serves as a political science professor outside of his role in government, said despite the range of complex challenges ahead, he is confident the next generation is well-postured to make a positive impact.

"Each encounter with bright young minds like yours serves as a reminder, you are lightyears ahead of where I stood at your age," he said. "You're armed with far greater capabilities than I was, and you have access to powerful tools to make a real difference on the world around you and I have complete confidence that you will do so."

He said the U.S. and its allies around the globe are counting on the young leaders to "seize the enormous opportunities and potential inherent in the current age."

The youth summit serves as a forum for young people from NATO member countries and other allies to explore and exchange views on the most pressing challenges critical to ensuring global peace and security in the future.

Participants gathered in both Brussels, where NATO is headquartered, and in Washington for the one-day event. This year's summit was entitled "NextGen Freedom & Security."

Attendees were given the opportunity to engage with Kahl on topics ranging from Russia's war in Ukraine and the role of U.S. partnerships in the Indo-Pacific as well as the challenges posed by climate change and the rise of artificial intelligence, among other issues, during a moderated discussion and question and answer session following his address.

He also offered advice and encouragement to those looking to begin a career in service to their country.

"Serve your community, serve your country, serve your world," he said. "We need people who are not only looking out for themselves but are invested in making the world a better place."
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
Twitter
348,423
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Strength of the Combined Force: Australian, Filipino, U.S. Forces Coming Together to Demonstrate Readiness for Crisis and Contingency Response
U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, Australian Army Soldiers, and Philippine Marines conduct a combined assault during Exercise Alon at Palawan, Philippines, Aug. 22, 2023.  Exercise Alon, part of Indo-Pacific Endeavor 2023, is a bilateral amphibious training activity between the Australian Defence Force and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, supported by MRF-D.  The exercise focused on enhancing interoperability and readiness to respond to shared security challenges. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Maj. Matthew Wolf)
Sept. 29, 2023 - Marines and Sailors of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) joined members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) for Exercise Alon, part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023...

U.S. Special Operations Command Korea selected for Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Sept. 29, 2023 - Today the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) President, Yoon Suk Yeol, awarded U.S. Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR) with the Presidential Unit Citation at the 75th Anniversary ceremony of the ROK Armed Forces Day at Seoul...

20 Military Intelligence Chiefs Meet for 16th Annual IPICC
Courtesy photo
Sept. 28, 2023 - The 16th annual Indo-Pacific Intelligence Chiefs Conference (IPICC) 2023 kicked off, Sept. 10, bringing together directors of military intelligence from 20 countries to Vancouver, Canada to discuss regional issues and shared...

Global Engagement Center Special Report: How the People’s Republic of China Seeks to Reshape the Global Information Environment
Sept. 28, 2023 - Every country should have the ability to tell its story to the world. However, a nation’s narrative should be based on facts and rise and fall on its own merits. The PRC employs a variety of deceptive and coercive methods as...

U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Statement on Reaffirming U.S.-Pacific Partnership
Sept. 28, 2023 - We—the governments of Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa,...