Arter-Roland National Security Forum: 2023 NATO Summit

In this presentation of the Arter-Roland National Security Forum, retired Maj. Gen. Gordon B. “Skip” Davis, Jr., a Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, a member of the Alphen Group and a Senior Research Fellow for the Simons Center for Ethical Leadership and Interagency Cooperation, spoke to the attendees via Zoom on Oct. 19, 2023.

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Gordon B. “Skip” Davis, Jr., a Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, provides an overview of the 2023 NATO Summit via Zoom on Oct. 19, 2023.

Davis provided an overview of the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania and the road to the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, D.C. The Vilnius Summit included many decisions advancing NATO defense plans, readiness, capabilities and responses to Russian aggression and other threats and challenges. Finland joined NATO and Sweden’s accession appears likely this year. Ukraine received additional commitments of NATO and allied assistance and political support, but no firm commitment for NATO membership. General Davis spoke about NATO’s support to Ukraine for its fight for independence and the prospects for Ukraine in 2024, including an invitation to NATO.

Simons Center Director Bob Ulin along with Deputy Director John Nelson provided the introduction and moderated the discussion.

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Gordon B. “Skip” Davis, Jr., is currently a Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, a member of the Alphen Group and a Senior Research Fellow for the Simons Center for Ethical Leadership and Interagency Cooperation. He recently served as NATO’s Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Defense Investment.

Prior to NATO, Davis served 37 years in the U.S. Army. His last military positions were as Director of Operations, U.S. European Command, Commander of Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan, and Director of Operations and Intelligence for Allied Command Operations.

Davis’ professional life included operational and institutional assignments interspersed with study and practice of international affairs and defense issues, primarily in Europe. He participated in operations with U.S., NATO, and UN forces in Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Central Asia.

Davis brings practical experience and conceptual understanding of contemporary and emerging defense issues as well as executive-level experience in operations, intelligence, leader development, capability development, and policy development. He holds an undergraduate degree in nuclear physics and graduate degrees in international business, defense and military history, and strategic studies.

Watch the full presentation below

Visit the 2023 NATO Summit website

The Arter-Rowland National Security Forum (ARNSF) is led by the CGSC Foundation’s Simons Center and is an exclusive professional information sharing and networking forum for those interested in keeping abreast of relevant information about national security issues..

Members of the Forum and their guests meet periodically at guest speaker events in downtown Kansas City. National and regional guest speakers representing all elements of national power (Diplomatic, Informational, Military and Economic) highlight the meetings. The Forum is nonpartisan, but elected government officials may present from time to time.

The Forum is named after Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Robert Arter, Founding Chairman of the CGSC Foundation, and Mr. Landon Rowland, the Foundation’s first major donor who was well-known in Kansas City for his keen interest in national security issues and his leadership in business and philanthropy.

ARNSF events are only open to ARNSF members and their guests. If you are not a member but are interested in joining, contact Bob Ulin at rulin@cgscf.org or visit the Forum page on the Simons Center website for more information.