DMNSF – April 3, 2025

In this presentation of the Des Moines National Security Forum (DMNSF), Paul Schwennesen, Ph.D., will discuss Ukraine’s defensive war against Russian aggression which has made world headlines for the past three years. Schwennesen will discuss how a striking evolution in the nature of the fight has been obscured by daily updates and political rhetoric. In truth, Ukraine has gone from a net importer of military equipment and tactical training to positioning itself as a net exporter of the world’s most innovative and cutting edge battlefield know-how. Particularly in the realm of drone warfare, Ukraine possesses the most advanced doctrine on the planet and the U.S. security establishment would be wise to embrace it.

Paul Schwennesen, Ph.D., is a military affairs analyst. He earned his doctorate from the University of Kansas, a master’s in government from Harvard University, and degrees in history and science from the U.S. Air Force Academy. Schwennesen served ten years in the U.S. military in weapons-systems acquisition, foreign area intelligence, and flightline operations which included deployments to Central America and Afghanistan. In 2022, he volunteered in Ukraine to provide civilian aid and combat training on the frontlines against the Russian invasion. He was presented with the Verhkhovna Rada medal by the Ukrainian Parliament for “Merit to the Ukrainian People.” His writing has appeared in Law & Liberty, the New York Times, American Spectator, Claremont Review, and in textbooks on environmental ethics (Oxford University Press and McGraw-Hill).

Questions about registration? – Contact Laurie Morgado, lmorgado@cgscf.org or call 913-651-0624.

For questions about the DMNSF contact Col. (Ret.) Robert Ulin, Simons Center Director, at rulin@cgscf.org or call 913-240-1495.

Registration is closed.

The Des Moines National Security Forum is an exclusive professional information sharing and networking event exclusively for members of the forum and select invitees of the CGSC Foundation’s Simons Center and Brownells, the co-hosts of the Forum.