The Defense Security Cooperation University’s Institute for Security Governance is the Department of Defense’s leading implementer for Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) and one of its primary International Schoolhouses.

JULY 2024 ISSUE

This issue spotlights our successful bi-annual on-site in Monterey • Highlights DASD for Cyber Policy’s visit to Monterey • Welcomes two new, accomplished Regional Advising Experts • Profiles how the Institute lends expertise to two key African conventions • Offers a standing ovation to ISG’s Maritime Security Functional Lead, Mr. Tim Doorey • Celebrates our five-year milestone with a brief snapshot of the Institute’s accomplishments • Explores the reinvention of the Women, Leadership, and National Defense resident course • Marks the signing of Panama’s first Joint Operating Concept • Showcases a brief roundup of the external fora in which ISG colleagues present and publish.

INSTITUTE NEWS

ISG May 2024 On-Site Gathering

The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) participated in a three-day, action-packed, in-person on-site event at its headquarters in Monterey, Calif. Drawing over 100 participants from across ISG’s mission, this bi-annual onsite aimed to further strengthen the bonds among the Institute’s numerous personnel; to provide an additional venue for growth and learning; and to achieve tangible process- and implementation-related improvements.

Some of the highlights included:

• Director Ian Wexler’s comprehensive update on ISG’s Way Forward.
• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Partnerships Mr. Christopher Mewett’s keynote remarks on developments in Institutional Capacity Building (ICB); recent Security Cooperation (SC) workforce reforms; and the importance of Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation (AM&E).
• A moderated discussion on the impact of global conflicts on partner security priorities, featuring three colleagues from the Naval Postgraduate School and the Naval War College.

Other standout programming included professional development sessions, team-based collaboration sessions, and a number of after-hours socials, where important relationships were both forged and solidified.

We look forward with anticipation to our next on-site in October 2024, where we will come together to mark the 30th anniversary of the Institute and its predecessor organizations.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy Visits ISG

The Institute was pleased to host Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy, Ms. Mieke Eoyang, and her team at our headquarters in Monterey, Calif. for a productive senior-level meeting. DASD Eoyang shared DoD priorities on building allied and partner defensive cyberspace capabilities and provided updates on Department guidance documents shaping U.S. cyber policy and priorities.

The ISG Cyber Practice provided a high-level overview of its current and planned ICB missions and showcased the innovative products and methodologies ISG has developed for advancing partner cyber organizations and capabilities.

ISG strengthened important connections with OSD Policy colleagues and shared perspectives valuable in the development of future policy guidance. We are grateful to DASD Eoyang for her engaged interest and look forward to continued collaboration in the future.

ISG WELCOMES

REGIONAL & FUNCTIONAL EXPERTISE

ISG Lends Expertise to Support Key African Conventions

ISG recently sent a team of functional experts and regional advisors to support the second annual African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) and third Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium-Africa (NILS-A) in Accra, Ghana. Held in tandem in 2024 for the first time, AMFS and NILS-A provided a platform for over 350 government personnel and military leaders, representing 41 nations spanning four continents, to expand maritime cooperation and coordination. The Ghana Navy, U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF), and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa (MARFORAF) served as hosts for these gatherings aimed at improving interoperability across domains and continents.

This unique opportunity – which integrated ISG’s functional and regional expertise – was well represented by Maritime Security Functional Lead Mr. Tim Doorey; Security Governance & Civil-Military Relations Functional Lead Mr. Nick Tomb; Africa Regional Program Lead Dr. Whitney Grespin; and West Africa Regional Program Coordinator Mr. Dean Bland.

Key topics covered during the event included:

• Strategies for Cooperation and Models for Combined Operations
• The Spectrum of Maritime Action: At Sea and in the Littorals
• Assessing Maritime Security Interventions
• Countering and Prosecuting Illicit Maritime Activity: From Piracy to Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF)

ISG's team of experts played a crucial role in guiding break-out groups after each of the four specialized panel discussions. Additionally, ISG offered expertise on diverse training resources aimed at bolstering the maritime security capabilities and capacity of our African partners. As the U.S. Department of Defense’s key implementer of ICB, ISG colleagues were uniquely suited to integrate and facilitate substantive sessions among these diverse multinational and regional stakeholders.

These important gatherings aimed to achieve two main goals. The first was to better understand the challenges faced in the African maritime domain, both along the shores and out at sea. The second was to enhance strategic relationships among stakeholders. Carrying these goals in mind, the gatherings furthered efforts to build regional cooperation to mitigate shared maritime threats.

To learn more about ISG’s work in Security Cooperation and in building partner capacity, visit its website in general, and its Resource Library in particular.

For more information on AMFS/NILS-A, please visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/AMFSNILSA2024

STANDING OVATION

Tim Doorey

It is with great pleasure that we highlight the contributions and insights of Mr. Timothy Doorey – Maritime Security Functional Lead within the Practice & Capability Division at ISG. This Standing Ovation article charts Mr. Doorey's career; describes some of the challenges and rewards he has encountered in his work; highlights relevant issues in the field of Maritime Security; and offers valuable advice for the next generation of Security Cooperation professionals.

Charting a Career Course

Mr. Doorey's journey to ISG is a testament to a career devoted to service and learning. After serving 28 years in Naval Intelligence at the tactical, operational, and strategic-national levels, Mr. Doorey’s Navy career culminated in a twilight tour as the Senior Intelligence Officer at the Naval Postgraduate School, co-located at Naval Security Activity Monterey. Realizing how much he enjoyed teaching, especially international partners, Tim made the natural transition to the Center for Civil Military Relations (CCMR) just across campus (which became ISG in 2019). Here, he found a natural synergy between his expertise, his passion for teaching, and his desire to contribute to the field of Security Cooperation.

Navigating Challenges, Reaping Rewards

As in any role, there are inherent challenges and rewards. At ISG, Tim has faced the formidable challenge of guiding Institutional Capacity Building efforts through a labyrinthine bureaucratic maze. Yet, amidst the complexity, he finds profound rewards. Through hosting international partners for two or four-week Resident Courses in Monterey or conducting Mobile Education Training courses in their countries, Tim has cultivated lifelong friendships across borders. His ability to bridge cultural divides and foster genuine connections underscores the transformative power of our work here at ISG.

Embracing Maritime Security Dynamics

In the ever-evolving field of Maritime Security, Tim highlights the critical importance that maritime sectors play in global security and prosperity. Tim notes the pervasiveness of “sea blindness” plaguing many nations, emphasizing how this lack of awareness just off the coast and over the horizon can pose serious challenges for countries to protect their maritime domains as well as to combat illegal fishing and other transnational crimes. Tim emphasizes these issues, and others, with vigor and purpose when engaging with course participants.

The ISG Value Proposition: Building Trust, One Connection at a Time

When asked, Tim succinctly articulates ISG’s value proposition, stating: “Our product is people, not paper.” Central to ISG's mission is the cultivation of trust with our international partners through meaningful engagement, over time.

“There is no shortcut to building trust,” Tim reminds us. “You cannot legislate it or mandate it; it can only be earned over time.”

Tim's unwavering dedication to this ethos serves as a cornerstone of ISG's global impact, earning respect from colleagues and partners alike and building important relationships that foster Security Cooperation around the globe.

Guiding the Next Generation

As Tim reflects on his journey thus far, he offers invaluable advice to up-and-coming colleagues in the field. He urges them to resist the parochialism that comes with separate funding authorities, contracting vehicles, and an institutional focus. Rather, Tim advises colleagues to embrace better integration of all International Capacity Building efforts, recognizing that true progress stems from collective effort and shared goals. Tim's advice inspires us to navigate the complexities of International Capacity Building with humility, increased collaboration, and unwavering resolve.

In offering Mr. Timothy Doorey a Standing Ovation, we celebrate not only a distinguished career but a legacy of service, expertise, and diligence. His contributions to ISG and to the broader Security Cooperation community resonate far beyond the borders of the classroom, and for that we thank you, Tim!

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

5 YEARS OF IMPACT AT ISG!

In five years under the auspices of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), and our nearly 30 years of history as a DoD Security Cooperation implementing component, ISG has grown remarkably into a pivotal force within the Department of Defense, expanding our reach with our foreign partners and continuing to innovate and implement in all aspects of Security Cooperation. Take a look at this brief snapshot of some of the Institute’s accomplishments over the past five years!

Going forward, our primary mission remains our focus: to advance U.S. national security interests by strengthening the institutional capacity of partner and allies’ defense and security sectors.

RESIDENT EDUCATION

Resident Course Refresh: Women, Leadership, and National Defense

ISG recently conducted the latest iteration of its Women, Leadership, and National Defense (WLND) resident course at its headquarters in Monterey, Calif. This course brought together 11 participants from 11 different nations, including three civilians and eight military personnel.

The WLND course aimed to enhance leadership skills and foster a deeper understanding of gender dynamics within national defense contexts. Participants engaged in sessions on leadership strategies, communication, change management, and integrating gender perspectives in defense planning and operations.

Under the leadership of ISG Senior Lecturer on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), Ms. Samantha Turner, the Institute is reshaping its course offerings to be responsive to global partner demands and infusing them with cutting-edge best practices based on her years of practitioner experience in and out of uniform.

The WLND Course uses adult learning principles that focus on how bias, gender inequality, and the Women, Peace, and Security agenda interconnect. The course also focuses on practical skills that learners can and have applied to their personal situations immediately upon graduation. Reflecting on the practical nature of the skills taught throughout this course, Ms. Turner offers:

“It is essential that we are working with learners to empower them to use these skills and lead in their national contexts. Our aim is to be responsive to partner needs and offer a wide range of courses from gender in military operations to women's participation in leadership roles in national security to inclusive leadership practices that men can leverage to champion WPS efforts as practitioners right away – WLND is an excellent example of a course that does just that.”

Ms. Turner also outlined the development of a gender focal point and gender advisor offering that are being designed now:

“We recognize that it takes a village to get professionals trained and that those spots for WPS and related topics are at a premium globally. Our team aims to be a preferred partner for training every aspect of WPS and is working with international experts to make sure our training meets the mark to maximize interoperability for national, regional, and multilateral needs. We invite our partners around the world to come train with us!’”

For more information on the WLND course and our other offerings, visit ISG’s Schoolhouse Hub.

ICB ADVISING

Strategic Planning Success: Panama Signs First Joint Operating Concept

PANAMA CITY — The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently attended the inauguration of the Panamanian Ministry of Public Security’s (MINSEG) first Joint Operating Concept (JOC). The JOC provides a vision for how MINSEG will plan and conduct future large-scale, complex Ministry-led operations of a joint nature (i.e., across MINSEG air/naval, border, police, and migration security services) in support of Panama’s security. The new Ministry strategic guidance articulates Panama’s priority national-level security challenges and tasks, including addressing mass irregular migration; widespread civil unrest; threats to critical national infrastructure, including the Panama Canal and cyberspace; and complex multi-domain activities such as the interdiction of transnational criminal organizations and disaster response and humanitarian relief activities. To support its vision, the JOC outlines capability development and force design implications for Panama’s public security sector in the coming decades.

ISG began this Institutional Capacity Building program with MINSEG in March 2023 to help develop its strategic planning capability and conducted nine engagements in the ensuing 15 months. At the initiation of the JOC development project, the Minister of Public Security determined that he wanted to establish a vision of “national security before and after his tenure” to serve as the institution’s premier strategic planning guidance. At the recent MINSEG ceremony, during which the Minister, Vice-Minister, and Directors General of all four security services inaugurated the completed document, Minister Juan Pino declared he would ensure ISG’s strategic planning program remains a top priority for the new administration. He stressed that strategic planning is a critical component for the MINSEG institution and should be further strengthened and reinforced to meet the demands of Panama’s current and future security challenges.

In her remarks during the signing ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Panama Mari Carmen Aponte strongly endorsed the MINSEG JOC. “The Comprehensive Security Strategy inaugurated today by MINSEG with the support of the U.S. Embassy is a framework that allows the security establishments to strengthen their strategic planning capacity,” she said. “The United States,” she noted, “will continue to support Panama to continue this important work that will ensure security for its citizens.”

The Regional Program Lead for the Western Hemisphere, Mr. Michael Knutson, said during his remarks at the JOC inauguration ceremony that “The key to the success of programs of this nature is political will and that the Panamanian Ministry of Public Security had demonstrated remarkable commitment and dedication, backed by outstanding officials and strategic planners.” He also highlighted for Minister Pino that ISG had recognized this joint effort with the Ministry as one of the most successful programs globally.

Similar JOC development projects are underway in other partner nations within the Western Hemisphere to institutionalize a capabilities-based planning methodology as part of the respective Ministries’ long-term requirements-centric capability and force design efforts. Each of these efforts will produce, as the current effort in Panama has done, a foundational strategy document that provides capability development and force design guidance for the next 10-15-20 years.

INTELLECTUAL ENGAGEMENTS

Dr. Whitney Grespin Offers Insightful Analysis on the Terminology around Private Actors in International Security

In a compelling exploration published on Medium.com, ISG Africa Regional Program Lead Dr. Whitney Grespin and coauthor Dr. Caroline Batka, a senior military analyst at Comenius University, reflect on why the language around private actors in international security services matters. This analysis, rooted in the authors’ extensive background in security governance, underscores the pivotal role terminology plays in shaping the perception, regulation, and behavior of these actors.

The article makes a compelling case for the necessity of a refined and expanded lexicon to accurately reflect and regulate the activities of these diverse groups. By highlighting the intricacies of terminology in international security, Drs. Grespin and Batka contribute significantly to the ongoing discourse on how we understand and engage with private actors in this critical field. We commend our colleague, Dr. Grespin, for her thought-leadership with this contemplative analysis.

Dr. Whitney Grespin Published on Private Security Assistance Activity in the Horn of Africa

ISG Africa Regional Program Lead Dr. Whitney Grespin recently contributed a chapter on “Private Security Assistance Activity and Oversight in the Horn of Africa” to the policy brief series published by Addis Ababa University’s Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS).

In this chapter, Dr. Grespin expands our understanding of the nature and scope of private security activities (and actors) in the region; demonstrates why “strategic monism” must be avoided; and successfully argues why these private security actors do not solve the broader strategic security challenges in the region, and throughout Africa. Kudos Dr. Grespin!

Blaire Harms Serves as Panelist at Africa Land Forces Summit (ALFS)

ISG Regional Program Lead Ms. Blaire Harms recently participated in the plenary session on Human Trafficking and Migration Impacts on Security hosted by the African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) in Livingstone, Zambia. During the session, Ms. Harms provided expertise on Women, Peace, and Security impacts related to human trafficking and migration to U.S., partner, and ally community members. ALFS 2024 brought together senior leaders from across Africa and other partner nations to solidify relationships, exchange information on current topics of mutual interest, and encourage cooperation in addressing challenges. We applaud Blaire for contributing to this important forum.

Scott Moreland Serves as Panelist at U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Conference

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation recently hosted its 13th annual Building Resilience Conference in Washington, D.C. In collaboration with key government agencies, this event aimed to unite leaders across sectors to shape the future of resilience through partnerships. ISG’s Emergency Management & Resilience Functional Lead, Mr. Scott Moreland, lent his subject matter expertise to a panel focused on fostering societal resilience and enabling public-private partnerships. We extend our praise to Mr. Moreland for contributing his insights and experience to such a vital forum.

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