Arter-Roland National Security Forum: Battle Update Briefing on the War in Ukraine

In this presentation of the Arter-Roland National Security Forum, retired Col. Matt Dimmick, the European Regional Program Manager for Spirit of America, provided a “Battlefield Update Briefing” from Moldova via Zoom on July 28, 2022.

Col. (Ret.) Matt Dimmick provides a briefing via Zoom on the war in Ukraine from his hotel in Moldova on July 28, 2022.

Speaking to the audience from his hotel in Moldova, Dimmick described how Spirit of America is supporting U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives in Ukraine, Poland, and Moldova. The current war in Ukraine has brought to the forefront the threat Russia presents and laid bare not only Russian capabilities and limitations but NATO’s vulnerabilities. Dimmick provided a unique “boots on the ground” perspective to the current war in Ukraine and the multi-national efforts surrounding it.

Simons Center Director Bob Ulin provided the introduction and moderated the discussion.

Dimmick served 29 years in uniform, retiring in 2021. He most recently served as Director for Russia and Eastern Europe on the National Security Council Staff during the Trump and Biden administrations. Previously, Matt was the Russia Director for the Secretary of Defense from 2016 to 2019. He also held the positions as Defense Attaché in Tbilisi, Georgia, Deputy Foreign Policy Advisor for the Chief of Staff of the Army, and Assistant Army Attaché in Moscow.

In addition to his recent work with Spirit of America, Dimmick has appeared on NBC, Bloomberg and Al Jazeera to provide analysis of the conflict in Ukraine.

Dimmick is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, holds a Master of Arts in National Strategy from the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, and a Master of Arts in Russian and Eastern European Studies from the University of Kansas.

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 senior executives.

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.