Business Executives for National Security (BENS)

On this July 4th, as we celebrate liberty and independence, may we pause to honor the service and sacrifices given by the men and women of our armed forces to safeguard our freedom every day. 🇺🇸 #4thofjuly #independenceday #July4th

On the eve of our nation's 248th Independence Day, BENS is proud to share these inspiring and insightful words from Michelle Giuda, BENS member and CEO of Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue. With this century projected to be "one of the safest, freest, and most prosperous in human civilization," due to the technology revolution, she focuses on the importance of winning - winning the global technological competition "because we know whoever wins technologically wins globally." View Michelle's entire speech ⬇

On June 25th, BENS hosted General Anthony J. Cotton, Commander of United States Strategic Command. General Cotton discussed the monumental task of modernizing the three components of the U.S. nuclear triad to deter peer adversaries, China and Russia, who are advancing their own strategic capabilities and enhancing their coordination. Along with modernizing U.S. nuclear capabilities, USSTRATCOM is also working towards developing a modern and resilient nuclear command, control, and communications enterprise, improving our ability to address electromagnetic spectrum threats, and ensuring continued access to space. A healthy defense industrial base is essential to support this modernization. #USSTRATCOM #industrialbase #nucleartriad #China #Russia #nuclearcommand #BENS #nationalsecurity

Check out our latest edition of BENS Insights! BENS members Benjamin C., Vice President of Data and Artificial Intelligence at Microsoft; Shaun Modi, Founder and CEO of Capitol AI (YC S24), John Zangardi, CEO of Redhorse Corporation; and Dennis C., CEO of Domelabs AI, share their thoughts on the challenges and solutions for successfully adopting generative AI. Read more ⬇️ #BENS #BENSInsights #artificialintelligence #AI #generativeAI #nationalsecurity

In BENS Member News... BENS Chicago member Colonel Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Ret.) recently hosted the opening ceremony for the Pritzker Military Archives Center (PMAC) in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The new space is a state-of-the-art research center to further the mission of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library through restoration, preservation, and storage of its extensive collection of more than 40,000 items and 65,000 book titles. Learn more ⬇️

For the first time in more than two decades, China has sent giant pandas to the San Diego Zoo — a sign that Beijing is resuming its “panda diplomacy” efforts. Will it have an impact on bilateral relations? Experts are not optimistic. Read more from CNBC ⬇️ #pandadiplomacy #Beijing #China #globalsecurity #bilateralrelations

ICYMI... NATO has selected a new Secretary General. Mark Rutte, the long-serving Dutch prime minister, was formally named the new secretary general of NATO on Wednesday, putting an experienced, strongly pro-Ukraine leader with a reputation for conciliation at the head of the alliance. Read more about NATO's new Secretary General ⬇️ #NATO #Rutte #SecretaryGeneral #globalsecurity

In BENS Member News... Salvage Exercise 24-001, a two-week exercise which took place in May aboard the decommissioned amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA-1), in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was an idea developed by BENS member Chris Harris and a US Navy mentee through the BENS mentor/mentee program. Read more and see photos from the exercise ⬇️ #SALVEX #USNavy #PearlHarbor #publicprivatepartnership #nationalsecurity #BENS

Earlier this month, Dr. Dana LaFon led a discussion with BENS NY members on operational psychology. The group explored topics ranging from election security and the declassified Operation Glowing Symphony to the importance of asking the right questions. This unique psychological perspective was highlighted as a valuable yet often overlooked tool in risk management decisions. Dr. LaFon is currently the National Intelligence Fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations and previously served as the chief and founder of the National Security Agency’s Office of Operational Psychology and Cyberpsychology. #LaFon #nationalsecurity #NSA #BENS #operationalpsychology #riskmanagement

On June 20, BENS had the honor of hosting Ambassador Robin L. Dunnigan, the U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Georgia. Ambassador Dunnigan provided an overview of recent political and economic developments in Georgia, including the country's candidacy for the European Union. She highlighted Georgia's current political crossroads, as the country recently advanced a Kremlin-inspired "foreign influence" law through Parliament, despite condemnation from the United States. Members of Georgia's ruling party have made it clear that the law aims to silence dissenting voices and undermine the nation's vibrant civil society, which serves as a critical check on government in any democratic nation. Ambassador Dunnigan, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, most recently served as the Department of State's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central and Eastern Europe in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. In 2024, BENS is renewing its relationships with key partners like the U.S. Department of State, ensuring BENS remains a valuable resource for this critical component of U.S. national security. #Georgia #nationalsecurity #AmbassadorDunnigan #StateDepartment #BENS #democracy #Eurasia #foreignservice