Roundtable Topics
During the conference, delegates are broken into groups to participate in small roundtables led by a subject matter expert. This expert acts as a facilitator for the roundtable as the delegates work together to create a policy paper.
SCONA 69 leadership is currently working to finalize roundtable topics. See the below examples of roundtables from SCONA 68.
The United States has come a long way since the non-interventionist sentiment of the Monroe Doctrine in 1823. Since then, over the course of over a century of wars, the United States now stands more involved on the global stage than ever. Because of this, the U.S. holds many alliances. Some of these are for economic gain, such as Mexico and Canada, as members of the USMCA. Some of these alliances, such as every member of NATO, serve largely as militaristic alliances, in case one member gets drawn into war. Our enemies, mainly China, Russia, and Iran, also work together, mostly behind the scenes, in order to strengthen each other in the fight against us. What stance can the U.S. take on its alliances that will serve to further its interests? Should it continue being in alliance with economically weaker nations who tend to draw out more than they return, or is that philanthropy something the U.S. has a duty to continue? What can we do with our allies in order to combat the rise of our enemies?
Over the past decade social media has become one of the easily accessible forms of communication and news sharing. This ease of access has been increasingly taken advantage of by foreign state and domestic actors. In both 2016 and 2020, Russian interference with U.S. elections was a top concern. Recently in 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ignited another information war, with both sides using media platforms to leverage the battle. For many reasons, one of them being the debate over government interference with private industry, the U.S. has been slow to address disinformation within social media. How can the government address disinformation within private media companies? What solutions are most viable considering the current constraints against corporate interference? How can private industry work together in conjunction with government?
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. witnessed supply chain failures like never before. Grocery store shelves were empty, and shipping times were doubled or even tripled. More recently the supply of oil was in question as Russia invaded Ukraine and upended European supply chains. Operating in an interdependent economic system, the U.S. can control very little when it comes to supply chain mishaps. In order for the U.S. to secure supply chains and minimize the effect global events have on the ability to put food on the table, the country will need to rethink how it operates. What strategies can the U.S. use to ensure stability in times of crisis? What is the most common problem affecting supply chains and are there sustainable solutions? Does the U.S. need to rethink its dependence on foreign entities for supplying key products?
The US has been lucky in a sense that the Ukraine conflict has had a limited effect on the domestic economy, compared to other countries who are more entwined with Russia and Ukraine. This might not always be the case, as tensions have continued to brew in East Asia, particularly with China and North Korea. The US technology market is very involved with Asian companies, and would take a drastic hit if conflict were to arise in the area. How can the US work to foresee and prevent disruptions with economic partners? Can the US take any domestic measures to minimize possible foreign disruptions with the economy?
Access to a wide variety of energy sources is vital for a nation’s strength. This was apparent during the Summer 2022, as the war in Ukraine destabilized oil prices. Although America largely runs on fossil fuels, it does possess a number of renewable energy sources as well, such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric, and also some nuclear energy capabilities. However, in comparison to fossil fuels, the total energy produced by these alternative sources is almost insignificant. For a number of reasons, a main one being potential climate change, it seems important that America strengthen its use of alternative energy sources. However, in doing so it is vital it doesn’t lower its national security capabilities. What are the best next steps for America to make this change in their energy production? Which of the alternatives seems most promising, and what realistically can be done to carry out its implementation? How can America reduce reliance on foreign partners going forward?
China has replaced Russia as the next great threat to the US and its status as a world superpower. China has been rivaling the US in multiple facets, such as hypersonic missile technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. They have also expanded into the South China Sea despite being condemned by the international community. Through their Belt and Road initiative, they have expanded their trade infrastructure to new levels. What efforts can the US take to limit stealing of intellectual property that would aid China? What should the US military do to achieve and maintain battlefield superiority? What efforts should be taken to limit Chinese influence outside of Asia (ie: Africa, Eastern Europe)?
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine was a surprise for some, and expected by others. Through acquired intelligence, the US had been anticipating the invasion for months, while other countries believed Russia was bluffing. While the world was quick to react with sanctions and military support for Ukraine, it had underestimated Russia and President Putin’s commitment. However, the US and its allies have gained much needed information on how Russia operates on the 21st century battlefield. What can the US military take advantage of from Russian military strategy? Should the US begin to strengthen its plans for a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan? How can the US effectively limit Russian capabilities while limiting direct involvement?
The global refugee crisis, exacerbated by conflicts and political instability in the Middle East, Central America, and Eastern Europe is far from over. The U.S. has historically been a recipient of displaced refugees, and has given resources to assist in the crisis, but has also been a participant in many of the conflicts that create refugees. How can the US balance policy initiatives while taking account of the possibility of displaced people? Can the US work in conjunction with foreign partners to evenly distribute the weight of the crisis? What can the government do to assist refugees that enter the US?
Since the start of the war in February 2022, the U.S. has been very vocal about sending aid to Ukraine, and calling on its allies to do the same. However the U.S. does not have the best international reputation for rebuilding war-torn nations, especially after the Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021. With the U.S. devoting the amount of physical and financial resources to the Ukrainian government, it is also expected to help lead the country in recovery following the conflict. How can the U.S. learn from past conflicts and apply lessons learned to Ukraine? What resources does the U.S. have available that can be deployed following the conflict. What role/responsibilities should the U.S. take on?
The US intelligence community has always been an invaluable asset to the policy making process. Combined with allied intelligence agreements, such as of Five Eyes (FVEY) they have been able to stay ahead of many potential threats. Although at times there have been false reports that have wrongly influenced policy decisions, such as the supposed Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq, which led to an overwhelming support to send in US troops. Other times US intelligence stood against the grain and proved doubters wrong, correctly predicting the Russian invasion of Ukraine in Spring 2022. However, US intelligence holds a pivotal place in the country’s policy making process, and the ability to keep intelligence non-politicized and effective is paramount. How has the political climate of the US downgraded the intelligence community? What steps can the US take to more thoroughly vet intelligence? How can the US preserve intelligence sharing relations with foreign partners?
The US is defending itself on more than just land, air, and water. Cyberspace and even outer space are contenders for future battlefronts. The acronym ‘DIME’ (Diplomatic, Informational, Military, and Economic) has become a staple in the intelligence community, defining areas of strategic importance. However, as the 21st century evolves, threats are beginning to appear in less tangible forms. Cyber attacks by China and Russia have wreaked havoc on US infrastructure, and the US will need to step up its ability to combat new threats such as these in the future. How can the US learn from past incidents to bolster its defenses? What can the intelligence community do to better address and prevent imminent attacks in all domains? Does the US need to update its military/defensive doctrine to adapt to 21st century threats?
The US is one of the world’s largest arms exporters, selling weapons and tactical systems to every corner of the globe. This is great for the economy, but also poses a significant risk that technologies may be sold to foreign enemies, possibly compromising the United States’ strategic advantage. There is also the concern that US sourced arms could find their way being aimed back at US troops on the battlefield. How can US agencies better track and catalog foreign arms sales? What possible loopholes need to be closed to prevent ‘friendly fire’ incidents? Does there need to be changes to existing trade agreements to help protect US technologies?