Global News of Interest

A collection of weekly must-read external news, reports and insights

Video Profile from Ambassador Pyatt on Ukraine’s Military

March 6, 2022

On January 20, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt joined Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Lengyel, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR), on his trip to Khmelnytskyi, where U.S.…

Munich Security Conference: Closing the Defense Innovation Readiness Gap

February 27, 2022

For the past ten years, much like corporations, ministries of defense (MoDs) have reported innovation as one of their top priorities, citing it as a key driver of geopolitical standing…

Member Update: Jared Isaacman Commissions More Flights from SpaceX

February 14, 2022

BENS member Jared Isaacman—who led the 2021 Inspiration4 crew as the first all-private astronaut mission to orbit—has announced a privately funded space exploration program with SpaceX that aims to push…

Update to the BENS DHS Real Property Management Report

February 13, 2022

In 2016, BENS members produced a Management and Efficiency Report for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This report contained a series of eight recommendations specifically targeting DHS shared services…

General Joseph Votel on the State Secrets Podcast

February 7, 2022

In this episode Suzanne welcomes General Joseph L. Votel U.S. Army (Ret.) to the State Secrets podcast. Votel is now the President & CEO of the Business Executives for National…

Alex Gorsky Receives Distinguished Graduate Award of the West Point Association of Graduates

February 2, 2022

BENS is pleased to report that Alex Gorsky, CNRE Commissioner and Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, has been recognized as a Distinguished Graduate of West Point. Gorsky graduated from…

Honorees receive award at ASTORS Awards

NEC Corporation Wins Big in 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program

January 19, 2022

Congrats to BENS member Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, Ed.D President of NEC Corporation National Security Solutions! Kiernan won award as Extraordinary Industry Leadership and Innovation Person of the Year, and NEC was honored for groundbreaking…

US Troop Level Reduction in Middle East Likely as Focus Shifts Elsewhere

January 14, 2022

The U.S. military is likely to reduce the number of troops it keeps in the Middle East and Central Asia while remaining engaged in those regions to counter Iran and…

The Mosaic Approach: a Multidimensional Strategy for Strengthening America’s Critical Minerals Supply Chain

December 19, 2021

The United States faces a troubling scenario when it comes to the supply chain for critical minerals. Rapidly increasing demand, under-developed national resources, intense international competition, and years of neglect…

Mark Gerencser speaks at a panel event

BENS Chairman Joins Panel Discussion on “Great Power Competition”

December 14, 2021

BENS Chairman Mark Gerencser appeared on the panel discussion “Great Power Competition” at the World Affairs Council of Connecticut’s 2021 Global Security Forum: Competing for the Future. Gerencser was joined by co-panelist…