Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict

🚨 Exciting Announcement from the Irregular Warfare Initiative! 🚨 We’re thrilled to introduce our 2025 Irregular Warfare Initiative Fellows—an outstanding group of 25 professionals selected from our most competitive applicant pool to date. 🔍 Who Are They? • Experts from the public, private, and academic sectors • Passionate practitioners and scholars dedicated to advancing the theory and practice of irregular warfare 🌍 Impact: • These Fellows will contribute groundbreaking insights and innovative approaches to irregular warfare and international security • Their work will shape the future of this vital field 🤝 Join the Conversation: • Connect with our Fellows and engage in meaningful dialogue • Let’s work together to expand our collective understanding of irregular warfare! Please join us in congratulating our 2025 Fellows on their selection. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to collaborate! #IrregularWarfare Moises E. Juliao, Jon Armstrong, Jennifer Dickson, Brian Kerg, Erin Scanlon, MPM, Rick Chersicla, Susan Bryant, Meg Tapia, Elizabeth M.F. Grasmeder, Alexander Biegalski, James Siebens, Dr. Joseph Long, Pieter Zhao, Pieter Balcaen, Marshall McGurk, Whitney Grespin, Matt Kuhlman, Fola Aina, Noel Anderson, James JB Park, Gregory Seese, Psy.D., Nadwa Al-Dawsari, Katharine Petrich, Benjamin Soltisz, Robert Burrell, PhD

Join Christopher Maier, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, and Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Tuesday, January 7, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET for a virtual conversation hosted by the CSIS' Defense and Security Department. Assistant Secretary Maier will speak with Dr. Seth G. Jones, president of the Defense and Security Department, to explore critical topics including: the evolving landscape of irregular warfare, the future direction of the Special Operations Forces enterprise, and the role of technology in shaping SOF activities. 📅 Mark your calendars and join us for a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights from a key leader in defense and security

As we enter the holiday season, we send our warmest wishes to our service members around the world, our civilian teammates, and their families. We are grateful for your strength and dedication. You are making our country safer and stronger. From all of us at SO/LIC, Happy Holidays! #HappyHolidays #SOF #Family

Thank you to Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and Becca Wasser for a great conversation about the future of warfare. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/euHq8AmH

SO/LIC’s Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate held a 🇺🇸🤝🇨🇦 bilateral meeting with Canada, reinforcing a vital partnership to drive innovation and technology development for the warfighter. Together, we’re working to: ✔️Develop cutting-edge capabilities to deter, detect, and neutralize terrorists and other irregular adversaries. ✔️Test and evaluate prototypes that enhance operational effectiveness. ✔️Integrate technologies to reduce development costs and accelerate deployment. ✔️Strengthen our collective ability to conduct irregular warfare, combat terrorism, and respond to global threats. This collaboration exemplifies our shared commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our nations and allies. By combining resources and expertise, we’re advancing critical solutions to address irregular warfare and counterterrorism challenges. #Innovation #Partnership #SOF #GlobalSecurity #CounterTerrorism #IrregularWarfare #IW

Irregular warfare is evolving, influenced by rising great power competition and the challenges posed by nonstate actors. How can the United States and its allies adapt their strategies to stay ahead? Join the Honorable Christopher Maier, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, on Wednesday, December 18, 10:00–11:00 a.m. ET, for a virtual Mission Brief hosted by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). The conversation will be moderated by Becca Wasser, senior fellow and deputy director of the Defense Program at CNAS, and is part of their Mission Brief series highlighting influential leaders shaping the future of U.S. and allied defense policies. Assistant Secretary Maier will discuss how irregular warfare strategies are shifting to address threats from competitors like China and Russia, with unique insights from his recent European engagements. Register for the event: https://lnkd.in/euHq8AmH #DefenseInnovation #IrregularWarfare #NationalSecurity #CNASMissionBrief

Last week, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, Christopher Maier provided opening remarks at the fifth meeting of the International Contact Group on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR ICG) at the U.S. Mission, Geneva. The event brought together international partners, various NGOs and international organizations, and other experts for two days of in-depth discussions of the challenges related to CHMR, with an emphasis on large-scale combat operations. NATO representatives continued the discussion on polices and best practices to reduce civilian harm in armed conflict. Preventing and responding to civilian harm caused by military operations is a strategic priority and a moral imperative. The United States Department of Defense is committed to collaborating with security partners and international organizations to maximize civilian protections. Read DoD’s Action Plan ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/e-79-a2W

US Mission Geneva hosted Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict this week for the International Contact Group on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response. Together with partner countries and NGOs, 🇺🇸 is advancing efforts to reduce civilian harm in armed conflict. Watch Assistant Secretary Chris Maier to learn more about those efforts here ⬇️

We are thrilled to announce that Elizabeth Phu, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, is a recipient of the Presidential Rank Award. Ms. Phu has led transformative advancements in the Special Operations Forces (SOF) enterprise, executing and sustaining the largest organizational transformation in three decades by standing up the Secretariat for Special Operations. This monumental change has provided “Service Secretary-like” oversight of the organization, training and equipping of #SOF. Ms. Phu also shepherded the wholesale review of military information support operations in the department, helping to put in place new policy guidance and strengthening the Department’s efforts on information operations. "This year’s honorees are representative of the patriotic and hard-working public servants across the federal government who work day-in and day-out to make life better for all Americans," said White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients when announcing the President’s selections. The Presidential Rank Award is the highest honor a member of the career Senior Executive Service can achieve. Ms. Phu’s remarkable leadership and vision have left an indelible mark on our department and national security. Join us in congratulating Liz on this well-deserved recognition of her enduring contributions to our nation! Read her full bio here: https://lnkd.in/eiBUY6F7 #PresidentialRankAward #LeadershipExcellence #FederalService #NationalSecurity

The United States is pleased to host the International Contact Group on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response with the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Together, we are continuing the conversation with civil society and government experts on how to improve the protection of civilians and reduce human suffering in armed conflict.  Preventing and responding to civilian harm caused by military operations is a strategic priority and a moral imperative. The United States Department of Defense is committed to collaborating with security partners and international organizations to maximize civilian protections. Read DoD’s Action Plan ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/e-79-a2W