Current Strategy Forums

The Secretary of the Navy's Current Strategy Forum (CSF) has its origins in the Round Table Discussions first held at U.S. Naval War College in May 1949. Their purpose was to bring together a small number of prominent civilian and military guests to discuss future U.S. strategy with senior officers attending the college.

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum — The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) hosts Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro’s Current Strategy Forum (CSF) from June 13 – 14, 2023 on board Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. More than one hundred distinguished guests, faculty, and students joined in-person and virtually including keynote speakers Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday and Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies Dr. Hal Brands addressing guests, and NWC President Rear Admiral Shoshana Chatfield giving opening remarks. This year marks the 72nd annual CSF which also serves as the capstone academic event for NWC students, bringing together prominent civilian and military leaders to discuss future U.S. strategy with senior officers attending the college. Established in 1884, NWC informs today’s decision-makers and educates tomorrow’s leaders by providing educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop their ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage. (U.S. Navy photo by Brett Dodge/Released)

About Current Strategy Forums

Today, the forum is the capstone academic event for our students. Each forum focuses on one issue of strategic national importance. Distinguished speakers examine various facets of the current year's theme in a series of addresses and panel discussions, followed by question and answer sessions. All plenary sessions are convened in Spruance Auditorium.

During the forum, attendees break into informal classroom seminars chaired by faculty moderators, in which guests and students have the opportunity to discuss topics of current strategic concern. Seminar discussions add an interesting dimension to the forum and allow all participants to develop additional perspective on the theme.

Upcoming Event

Our forum continues the tradition of exploring the current strategy trends, challenges, and opportunities: discussing lessons from the past, rising political situations, grand military and maritime strategy, and economic and energy vulnerability.

There are no events currently scheduled for this series, please check back for more information.

Most Recent Events

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum

Monday, June 08-09, 2026

Hybrid Event

The Current Strategy Forum was first held at U.S. Naval War College in May 1949. Their purpose was to bring together a small number of prominent civilian and military guests to discuss future U.S. strategy with senior officers attending the college.

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum

Monday, June 09-10, 2025

Hybrid Event

The Current Strategy Forum was first held at U.S. Naval War College in May 1949. Their purpose was to bring together a small number of prominent civilian and military guests to discuss future U.S. strategy with senior officers attending the college.

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum

Tuesday, June 11-12, 2024

Hybrid Event

The Current Strategy Forum was first held at U.S. Naval War College in May 1949. Their purpose was to bring together a small number of prominent civilian and military guests to discuss future U.S. strategy with senior officers attending the college.

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum

Tuesday, June 13-14, 2023

Hybrid Event

The Current Strategy Forum was first held at U.S. Naval War College in May 1949. Their purpose was to bring together a small number of prominent civilian and military guests to discuss future U.S. strategy with senior officers attending the college.

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum

Tuesday, June 07-08, 2022

Hybrid Event

The Current Strategy Forum is an annual event at the U.S. Naval War College. Distinguished speakers examine various facets of the current year's theme in a series of addresses and panel discussions, followed by question and answer sessions.

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum: "Maritime Strategy: Maintaining America’s Enduring Strategic Advantage"

Tuesday, June 08-09, 2021

Virtual Event

This year marks the 70th annual Current Strategy Forum (CSF) at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. The first CSF was held on May 9, 1949 under the title “Round Table Talks.”

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

CANCELLED: "Current Strategy Forum: Strategies for Prevailing in Great Power Competition"

Tuesday, June 16-17, 2020

Spruance Auditorium, U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

This year marks the 70th annual Current Strategy Forum at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. The first CSF was held on May 9, 1949 under the title “Round Table Talks.”

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum: "The Agile Navy: Maximizing Maritime Power in the Information Age"

Tuesday, June 11-12, 2019

U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

This year marks the 70th annual Current Strategy Forum at the Naval War College in Newport. This Forum, which builds upon the research conducted through a series of workshops and conferences over the past 24-months.

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum: Technology, Innovation and Strategy

Tuesday, June 12-13, 2018

U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

This year marks the 69th annual Current Strategy Forum (CSF) at the Naval War College in Newport.

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum: National Security and Fleet Design

Tuesday, June 13-14, 2017

U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

This year marks the 68th annual Current Strategy Forum (CSF) hosted by the Secretary of the Navy at the U.S. Naval War College. The first CSF was held on 9 May 1949 under the title “Round Table Talks.”

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum: Strategy in Complex and Uncertain Times

Tuesday, June 14-15, 2016

U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

This year marks the 67th annual Current Strategy Forum (CSF) at the Naval War College in Newport. The first CSF was held on 9 May 1949 under the title “Round Table Talks.”

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum: Strategy and Maritime Power in a Contested Environment

Tuesday, June 16-17, 2015

U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

his year marks the 66th annual Current Strategy Forum (CSF) at the Naval War College in Newport. The first CSF was held on 9 May 1949 under the title “Round Table Talks.”

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum: American Grand Strategy and Sea Power, Challenges and Choices

Tuesday, June 17-18, 2014

U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

The United States entered the 21st Century as the world’s most influential and powerful nation, both in economic and military power. This leading position rested on a dynamic economy and command of the maritime commons.

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum: American Grand Strategy, Power and Purpose in the 21st Century

Tuesday, June 18-19, 2013

U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

The first decade of the 21st century provided a glimpse into new trends in the geopolitical landscape, global economic conditions, and the security challenges facing the United States and our partners around the world.

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum: Global Trends, Implications for National Policy and the Maritime Forces

Tuesday, June 12-13, 2012

U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

Our nation’s strategic challenges continue to evolve in number and complexity. Extraordinary fiscal deficits at home, economic crises in Europe, the rising economies of developing nations, unrest in the Middle East, shifting trade routes, and climate change are just a few of the developments shaping the future geostrategic landscape.

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum: Energy and U.S. National Security, Vulnerability and Opportunity

Tuesday, June 07-08, 2011

U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

The viability of our economy relies heavily on the continuing supply of energy resources. Increasingly, the United States’ national security initiatives have been concerned with challenges and trends associated with the need for continued access to natural resources.

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum: Networks, Partnerships, and the Emerging Global Order

Tuesday, June 08-09, 2010

U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

The forum explored the global system in transition. As Anne Marie Slaughter, the State Department’s Director for Policy Planning, observed during the 2009 forum, international affairs are now less hierarchical, and less susceptible to solution by traditional policy mechanisms.

Naval War College hosts Secretary of the Navy’s Current Strategy Forum

Current Strategy Forum: Seizing Strategic Opportunities, Challenging the Paradigm

Tuesday, June 16-17, 2009

U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

Annual forums are designed to provide an opportunity for exchange of views among outstanding scholars and leaders from across industry, government and the military.