William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies

We will never forget. On Sept. 11, 2001, ordinary Americans became eternal symbols of heroism. To the fearless first responders who charged into flames, the passengers who rose against evil, and the 2,977 souls stolen too soon, your legacy is the bedrock of our nation’s resilience. Their courage was not just in action, but in spirit: a refusal to let darkness define us. Today, we remember that America’s strength lies in its people — united, unyielding and unwavering. #NeverForget 

On August 25, the Perry Center hosted a delegation of 84 students and staff members from Ecuador’s Joint Military Defense Academy (ADEMIC), led by COL José Colón Loaiza, Director of ADEMIC. Dean of Academic Affairs William Godnick and Professor Celina Realuyo welcomed the group. The visit included an organizational briefing, followed by a presentation by Professor Realuyo on the current situation in the Western Hemisphere. Dr. Godnick then delivered the presentation “Strategic Foresight Methodologies for Defense and Security in Latin America,” offering an outlook on subregional security, defense, and development. Following the conclusion of both presentations, there was an opportunity for questions and discussion.

From August 19–21, the Perry Center participated in the 2025 South America Defense Conference (SOUTHDEC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Co-hosted by Admiral Alvin Holsey, Commander of United States Southern Command, and Brigadier General Xavier Isaac, Chief of Staff of the Argentine Armed Forces, the conference emphasized practical cooperation and shared lessons learned in addressing threats across multi-domain environments. During the conference, the Perry Center Director Paul J. Angelo presented the 2025 William J. Perry Award to Argentina’s Secretary of International Affairs for Defense, Juan Erardo Battaleme Martínez, a WJPC alum. Director Angelo highlighted Battaleme’s ability to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical experience, noting that this unique combination has made his teaching have a tangible impact on regional defense policy. The presentation took place in the presence of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Joseph Humire, Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché COL Augie Dominguez, and staff.

From August 18 to 22, 2025, the Perry Center partnered with the Uruguayan Naval War College to co-host a mobile course on Maritime Security Policy (MSP) in Montevideo, Uruguay. Co-directed by Perry Center Visiting Professor Eric Driggs and Captain Alejandro Vega, Uruguayan Navy, Director of the Naval War College, the course brought together participants from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay to deepen their understanding of the strategic, operational, and legal dimensions of maritime security in the Americas. The course offered an in-depth examination of the maritime domain as a dynamic space where law, geopolitics, commerce, and technology converge. Participants explored the economic and strategic importance of the world’s oceans, the centrality of maritime trade to the global economy, and the growing complexity of addressing illicit activities at sea—including trafficking in arms, narcotics, and persons, as well as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Additional sessions addressed the emergence of maritime cyber threats and the implications of new technologies on domain awareness and defense capabilities. During the graduation ceremony, Perry Center Director Dr. Paul J. Angelo emphasized the Center’s core mission, stating, “The Perry Center exists precisely to promote cooperation, mutual understanding, and the development of strategic capabilities that strengthen collective security in the hemisphere.” The Perry Center is proud to work with the Naval War College to promote regional integration and a common vision for maritime security through professional exchange, education, and dialogue.

We’re proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 William J. Perry Award for Excellence in Security & Defense Education: CARICOM IMPACS under the leadership of Lt. Col. Michael Jones and Argentina’s Secretary of International Affairs for Defense Juan Battaleme! This award honors their exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing regional cooperation and education on security and defense across the Americas. Thank you to all who submitted nominations and continue to support our mission!

Today, we hosted Security Cooperation Officers and Bilateral Affairs Officers serving at US embassies in Brazil, Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Perry Center Director Paul J. Angelo, Dean of Academics Dr. William Godnick, and Chief of Outreach and Alumni Affairs Kara O’Ryan welcomed the group. The visit provided an orientation to the Center and its academic programs, underscoring US security cooperation through regional education, strategic engagement, and partnership-building. It also featured a presentation on our alumni network, highlighting its broad reach and role in fostering collaboration among alumni and institutional partners across the Americas.

The Perry Center seeks a professor with expertise in Western Hemisphere security and defense issues. The selected candidate will lead and support academic courses, conduct research, and engage in strategic outreach with regional partners. Focus areas include defense governance, civil-military relations, the rule of law, transnational threats, cybersecurity, maritime security, and strategic planning. This role contributes directly to the Perry Center’s mission of strengthening democratic institutions and promoting regional cooperation through education and policy dialogue. US citizenship and professional fluency in Spanish are required; Portuguese skills are desirable.

From July 1 to 31, the Perry Center delivered the  Cybersecurity Fundamental Asynchronous Course for participants from Panama and Paraguay. Facilitated by Perry Center Professor  Boris Saavedra  and Cyber Policy Fellow  Heriberto Acosta-Maestre, the course provided foundational knowledge in key cybersecurity areas at the technical, policy, and strategic levels, with a focus on strengthening institutional capacity to defend against cyber risks. Over the month-long virtual course, 73 participants explored topics such as strategic competition, ransomware, critical infrastructure protection, cybercrime, internet governance, artificial intelligence, and insider threats. The Perry Center remains committed to supporting partner nations in developing cybersecurity strategies that strengthen national resilience and enhance regional collaboration and preparedness.

From July 21 to 25, 2025, the Perry Center conducted its mobile Strategy and Defense Policy (SDPm) course in Guatemala City in collaboration with the Command of Higher Education of the Guatemalan Army (COSEDE). The course brought together regional participants to explore the roles and responsibilities of ministries of defense, civilian oversight, civil-military relations, strategic planning, and the relationship between defense institutions and democratic governance. Led by Perry Center Professor Dr. Luis Bitencourt with instruction from Prof. Celina Realuyo, Dr. Boris Saavedra, and WJPC alum from the National University of Tucumán Federico Agustín Pelli, the course emphasized practical application through lectures, discussions, group work, and scenario-based exercises. Participants addressed current defense challenges, including regional threats, technology integration, infrastructure protection, budget planning, and logistics coordination. The course also reinforced US-Guatemalan cooperation in defense and democratic oversight, contributing to stronger institutions and regional collaboration. Minister of Defense General Henry David Sáenz Ramos presided over the closing ceremony. Dr. Boris Saavedra and Prof. Realuyo were awarded the “Monja Blanca” Medal, First Class, while Henry Tweddle, Dr. Bitencourt, and Prof. Pelli were awarded the “Monja Blanca” Medal, Second Class.

If you know a standout student or recent grad who’s passionate about diplomacy, Latin American affairs, strategic communications, and fluent in—or actively building fluency in—Spanish, please send them my way! Our Strategic Communications Fall Internship is a unique opportunity to join our team at The William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies and support public diplomacy, regional engagement, and strategic messaging in a dynamic, mission-driven environment. Interested applicants should send a resume, cover letter, academic transcript, and a short writing sample (3-5 pages) to wjpc-interns@ndu.edu before August 15 at 5pm. Happy to answer any questions — grateful if you’ll share with your networks! For more information: https://lnkd.in/gHZ48-AG