***THIS EVENT IS CANCELED***
The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs will host a Directors' Lunch with Lieutenant General Douglas E. Lute, Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Adviser, Iraq and Afghanistan, in the Belfer Center Library (L369).
At last July's Aspen Security Summit, General Lute, President Obama's top adviser on Pakistan and Afghanistan, said that the United States had six months to deliver "a knockout blow" to Al Qaeda's senior leadership in Pakistan while the group was still in turmoil after the killing of Osama bin Laden. Lute said the United States needed to increase covert action in Pakistan to take advantage of the disarray within Al Qaeda's senior ranks. "This is a period of turbulence for our enemy." "This is the time to double down on the opportunity to defeat Al Qaeda." In August, U.S. forces netted their second big fish, Atiyah Abd al-Rahman, the number two man in Al Qaeda.
There is likely no uniformed officer with more experience and insight into the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan than General Lute. Since 2007, he has been the so-called "War Czar" for Iraq and Afghanistan to both Presidents Bush and Obama. He helped craft policy for the two wars and, according to Bob Woodward's book, Obama's Wars, was against the latest build up in Afghanistan.
General Lute served several assignments in the Army's elite cavalry regiments. In 1990-91 he deployed to Operation Desert Storm with the Second Cavalry Regiment, and later commanded 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry at Fort Hood, Texas from 1992-94, and Second Cavalry Regiment from 1998-2000 at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
From 2003 to 2007 Lute served in three consecutive operations director jobs; responsible at different times for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Middle East, Central Asia and Horn of Africa. In 2007, he was appointed by President Bush as Deputy National Security Advisor.
Lute is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, the British Army Staff College, and Harvard Kennedy School. He is the holder of numerous awards including the Bronze Star and the Defense Superior Service Medal.
RSVP REQUIRED! http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/events/lute.html
As space is limited for this event, RSVPs will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Belfer Center Directors' Lunches are strictly off-the-record. By indicating your desire to attend the Lunch, you agree that you will comply with the Belfer Center's strict policy against recording or disclosing the contents of the lunch. Your access is conditioned on your compliance with these restrictions. Should you violate these rules, the Center will pursue all available legal options and you will be excluded from all future events.
