Convening Dialogue at a Critical Time

At a time of profound global complexity and a shifting vision of U.S. leadership, the Belfer Center convened a high-level gathering in Washington, D.C., to explore national security challenges of the moment and on the horizon. The Spring Gathering brought together senior policymakers, strategic thinkers, alumni, and members of the International Council for a day of exclusive conversations. The core focus: wide-ranging views on the geopolitical, economic, and technological dynamics redefining America’s role in the world. 

The gathering was a powerful reminder of the strength of the Belfer Center's network and our ability to foster thoughtful bipartisan dialogue, elevate expert insight, and help shape policy solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.  

We began the afternoon with an off-the-record conversation featuring Brett McGurk, a Belfer Center Senior Fellow who served as a senior Middle East advisor and negotiator across four U.S. administrations (Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden). He was joined by Vidya Neelakantan (HKS MPP 2019), National Security Advisor to Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE).

Next, we welcomed Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) (HKS MPP 1973), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, alongside Graham Allison, Douglas Dillon Professor of Government at the Harvard Kennedy School.

The program then turned to the intersection of economics and global policy, a conversation that could not have been timelier given the tariffs and related policy dynamics making headlines. This topic featured in a conversation between Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council, and Brent McIntosh, former Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs under President Trump (2019–2021). 

The day culminated with a dinner hosted at the new Australian Embassy, generously opened to us by Ambassador Kevin Rudd, a former Belfer Senior Fellow. Among the evening’s highlights was a conversation between David Feith, former Senior Director for Technology and National Security at the National Security Council, and Meghan L. O’Sullivan, Director of the Belfer Center. Their discussion focused on the rapidly evolving intersection of emerging technologies, international competition, and the strategic dilemmas facing U.S. policymakers today. 

In total, we welcomed more than 100 members of our broader community for an evening of conversation and connection. The dinner underscored the power of convening across sectors, generations, and disciplines—something our community is uniquely privileged to do.