Pentagon Halts Participation in Think Tank National Security Forums

The Pentagon initially withdrew from the Aspen Security Forum, a key annual gathering where government officials discuss national security priorities with private sector leaders and think tank experts.

This decision has now been expanded, with the Defense Department halting its involvement in all national security conferences organized by think tanks.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Pentagon explained that this action aims to prevent the Department of Defense from endorsing organizations, forums, and events that conflict with the administration’s core values.

Historically, defense secretaries such as Lloyd J. Austin III, Mark T. Esper, Jim Mattis, Ashton B. Carter, and Chuck Hagel regularly attended international security conferences in cities like Munich, Singapore, and Halifax. These events served as important platforms for sharing U.S. defense policies and engaging with allies, partners, and occasionally adversaries.

However, the current Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has shown reluctance to engage in such forums. Earlier this year, he notably skipped the Munich Security Conference, an event traditionally significant for newly appointed defense leaders. During his initial overseas trip to a NATO meeting in Europe, he focused on sharing images of physical training with troops amid criticism of his early tenure.

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, stated that the Department’s Office of Public Affairs will now rigorously evaluate every invitation extended to Defense officials for participation in external events.

The move follows the abrupt cancellation of the Pentagon’s involvement in the Aspen Security Forum this month. Officials cited a misalignment of values, with a Defense Department spokesperson criticizing the forum for promoting views seen as antagonistic toward global cooperation, the country, and the sitting president.

Notably, Navy Secretary John Phelan and Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the Indo-Pacific Command, who had been slated to speak at the Aspen event, did not attend following the Pentagon’s withdrawal.