This is an online version of the monthly newsletter of the World Affairs Council of the Monterey Bay Area (WACMB). You may click here to see other online issues or click here to reach the archive of recent issues in PDF format.
Luncheon Meeting on October 19, 2018
Topic
Patriots for Profit? America’s Experience with Private Military Contractors
Speaker
Dr. Thomas Bruneau
Distinguished Professor Emeritus,
Naval Postgraduate School
Overview
For decades now, the centrality of contracting in American warfare – both on the battlefield (sometimes called mercenaries) and in support of those on the battlefield – has been growing. Today’s private military industry is a multi-billion dollar business. In Fiscal Year 2017 in the U.S. Department of Defense alone contracting out totaled $320 billion, more than 50% of the DOD budget. Erik Prince, former owner of Blackwater and possibly the world’s best known military contractor, has recently proposed contracting out the war in Afghanistan. As the U.S increasingly relies on the private sector to wage war, some see this as a strategic liability. Others consider the trend more efficient and cost effective.
Professor Thomas Bruneau, author of Patriots for Profit: Contractors and the Military in U.S. National Security (Stanford University Press, 2011), will discuss the pros and cons of contracting security support. Highlighting the American experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, he will explore the many dimensions of using private contractors, including effectiveness, cost, accountability, and ethics. The impact of private contractors on regular U.S. troops and relations with host governments are among the issues he will examine.
Thomas Bruneau is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). During his career at NPS, he served as Chairman of the Department of National Security Affairs (1989-1995) and Director of the Center for Civil Military Relations (2000-2004). Prior to joining the faculty of NPS Dr. Bruneau taught in the Department of Political Science at McGill University. In addition to his long academic career, and ten years of administrative responsibilities at the Naval Postgraduate School, Bruneau is also Vice President of Global Academic Professionals, LLC, a contracting firm.
On this occasion annual World Affairs Council awards will be presented to Peninsula area college students pursuing careers in international relations.
Agenda
Friday, October 19, 2018
11:30 am: Registration
11:50 am: Luncheon
12:45 pm: Program
Luncheon Menu
- House Salad of Mixed Greens with Ranch Dressing
- Panko-Crusted Chicken with Sherry Cream Sauce
- Roasted Potatoes
- Steamed Vegetables
- Freshly Baked Rolls and Butter
- Chef’s Choice Dessert
- Coffee and Tea
- Vegetarian Option: Pasta with Marinara Sauce
Luncheon Cost
- $29 for members
- $35 for guests
- Lecture is open to the public at no charge, beginning at 12:50pm
Registration
Registration for the luncheon is now closed. Audience seating for the lecture only may be available, depending on room capacity, on a first-come-first-served basis.
Location
Palo Corona Regional Park Headquarters
(formerly Rancho Canada Golf Club)
4860 Carmel Valley Rd
Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
Discussion Groups for October 2018
To see a list of recent Discussion Group events, click here.
MPC
Evolving Coalitions: What Does the New Russia/Turkey/Iran Partnership Portend for International Relations?
Does the recent Russia/Turkey/Iran Summit signal a reordering of the international alignment? What do Russia, Turkey and Iran hope to gain in this new partnership? How should the U.S. reformulate its policy in response?
The MPC Discussion Group will meet on Monday, October 8 at 4:00 pm in the Social Science Building, Room 101, Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont Street, Monterey. Parking is available in Lot D for $3.00.
Interactive Map of MPC Location
OLLI
The topic for October’s discussion will be the #MeToo movement and its implications. The OLLI Discussion Group will meet on Monday, October 15 at 4:00 on the second floor of the CSUMB building at Ryan Ranch, 8 Upper Ragsdale Drive, Monterey. Free parking is available in front of the building.
For maps and more detailed directions, follow this link or see the map below.
Click the calendar icon to get an electronic event notice for your calendar.
Interactive Map of OLLI-CSUMB Location
Board Meeting on October 4, 2018
Open to Members
Begins at 4:30 pm
Click the calendar icon to get an electronic event notice for your calendar.
Location
McCone Building Conference Room, MIIS
Some Facts About the World Affairs Council of the Monterey Bay Area
In 1951, a group of individuals interested in worlds affairs organized the World Affairs Council of the Monterey Bay Area (WACMB). At that time, the Board chose WWII U.S. Navy Admiral (Ret.) Raymond Spruance, one of the greatest admirals in American naval history, as its first president.
At its founding, WACMB chose to be an affiliate council of the World Affairs Council of Northern California. This relationship continued successfully for more than 40 years until 1992, when WACMB became a totally independent
Public Benefit Corporation as a 501(c)(3).
WACMB is a member of the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA), and participates in the national activities arranged by that organization. It also is a “Cooperating Council” in the Travel Program of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, which you may already have read about in these pages.
WACMB is now approaching its seventh decade of providing our members and the residents of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties with intellectually challenging programs that address significant international issues.
Scholarships!
Did you know that your Monterey Bay World Affairs Council awards $1000 merit-based scholarships to students at California State University Monterey Bay, the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, and Monterey Peninsula College? Recipients must be high academic achievers and interested in international affairs.
This year’s winners will be introduced at the October 19th luncheon. Please join us as we honor these outstanding young scholars!
Welcome to Our New Members
Summer 2018
- Roger Gayman
- Seung-Jae Oh
- Loretta Patterson
- Katharina Harlow
- Susan Hinde
- Thomas Rowland and Christine Hallas