National War College

As we close out a successful semester at the National War College, we celebrated with a festive potluck that brought our community together in the best way—great food and great company! Wishing all our friends a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2026!

On 17 December, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer addressed a joint National War College-Eisenhower School session of the prestigious Kennan Lecture Series. Students had an exceptional opportunity to engage Ambassador Greer on trade & economic policy as an instrument of national power and gain insight into the implications for national security priorities, including the defense industrial base. Integrating economic considerations into strategic thinking is essential in preparing our rising senior leaders for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

This week, our students participated in a Global Force Management exercise with support from the National Defense Wargaming Center. They applied classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, grappling with force allocation, global priorities, and service readiness in a dynamic environment. Experiential learning like this sharpens decision-making and prepares our leaders for the complexities of tomorrow.

Recently, our warriors kicked off Course 6221, a core pillar of the National War College mission. This course brings together strategic logic, joint warfighting, and military theory to connect the military instrument of power across the curriculum. It prepares leaders to think, plan, and act in an era of speed and strategic competition.

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The National War College Running Team crushed it at the President’s Cup 5K, bringing home the trophy for both the men's and women's divisions! Huge congratulations to all our runners. You’ve made NWC proud!

We were honored to host Mr. Kelly McKeague, Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), as a distinguished speaker for our recent Kennan Lecture Series. With over 80,000 Americans still unaccounted for from past conflicts, the DPAA's mission is a sacred one. The agency works tirelessly with U.S. government agencies, diplomatic missions, and international partners to provide the fullest possible accounting of missing personnel. This tireless work upholds our nation's promise to those who served and brings closure to their families.

We extend our sincerest gratitude to Mr. McKeague for sharing his insights and to the entire DPAA for their unwavering commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind and that our heroes are never forgotten.

This week, Roosevelt Hall welcomed back National War College alumni returning for the ACESS program. ACESS gives alumni the opportunity to deepen their expertise in national security through timely conversations with leading faculty and meaningful exchanges with fellow graduates. It is a chance to sharpen strategic thinking and stay engaged with the evolving challenges of global leadership. Their visit brought energy, insight, and a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of the NWC community.

Moldovan Minister of Defense Anatolie Nosatîi recently made a nostalgic return with his family and colleagues to Roosevelt Hall, where he graduated with the National War College Class of 2012. We’re proud of our many successful alumni partners and always pleased to host them at Fort McNair, including Minister Nosatîi who is also a member of the National Defense University’s International Fellows Hall of Fame.

Today, students continued their brief series with a focused session on the U.S. Department of State, highlighting its indispensable role in national security.

From diplomacy and foreign policy to interagency coordination, the State Department plays a critical part in shaping and executing U.S. strategy on the global stage. These foundational briefs are designed to help students understand how military and civilian organizations work together to advance national interests through a whole-of-government approach.

Each session builds a deeper appreciation for the complexity, and necessity, of interagency collaboration in today’s security environment.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Zachary Abuza on the publication of his latest book, The Vietnam People's Army: From People's War to Military Modernization.

This important work offers a timely and in-depth analysis of Vietnam’s military transformation and strategic posture in the 21st century. Dr. Abuza’s scholarship continues to exemplify the exceptional caliber of our faculty and their contributions to global security studies.

We are proud to celebrate this achievement and the continued impact of Dr. Abuza’s research.

👏 Congratulations, Dr. Abuza!

Core Course 6000 is underway at the National War College. This marks the beginning of an intensive exploration into strategic logic, where students will engage with the complexities of strategy through critical analysis and creative thinking. It’s not just about understanding ends, ways, and means; it’s about cultivating the ability to think strategically in our complex and dynamic world.