Transatlantic security alliance defended at Global Dialogue Dinner with Spanish Ambassador Morenés

With the Catalonian separatist movement fading for the time being, regional security returns as a focal point in Spain and in relations between the United States and the EU nation. NATO is central to U.S.-Spain security cooperation; however, the long-time transatlantic military alliance has come under fire by President Trump who has claimed that European member nations are not making adequate financial contributions to the intergovernmental defense alliance. The main point of contention is the 2% standard. In 2014, NATO nations pledge to spend 2% of GDP on defense and many of the nations are still working to meet that goal. On February 28, Meridian International Center and Lockheed Martin hosted Ambassador of Spain Pedro Morenés and a group of seasoned transatlantic security experts from the public and private sectors for a deep dive into NATO and the security partnership between Spain and the United States.

Held as part of the Meridian Global Dialogue Series, the dinner conversation hashed out the 2% standard from multiple perspectives. Whether Spain’s (and Europe’s) principal security threat was from the east or from the south was also widely debated with the general consensus that attention must be paid to both areas. Spain’s Minister of Defense from 2011 to 2016, Ambassador Morenés was in his element addressing his country’s security strategy and parameter. Participants from RAND, the Atlantic Council, Heritage Foundation and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace appreciated the open and frank delivery of Ambassador Morenés. Likewise, the Ambassador found the think tank perspectives of value as well as the viewpoints of those representing the State Department, the National Defense University, and the Israeli military.

Among those attending the dinner, in addition to Ambassador Morenés and Meridian President and CEO Ambassador Stuart Holliday (the dialogue facilitator), were Nancy Ziuzin Schlegel, Vice President, International Government Affairs, Lockheed Martin International; Whitney Baird, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Europe, U.S. Department of State; Ian Brzezinski, Principal, Brzezinski Group; Major General Mickey Edelstein, Defense Attaché, Embassy of Israel; Brigadier General John Jansen, Commandant, Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense University; Colonel Rachel McCaffrey, Executive Director, Women in Defense, National Defense Industrial Association; Magnus Nordenman, Director of the Transatlantic Security Initiative, Atlantic Council; Juan Penalver, Director, International Business Development, Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems; Dakota Wood, Senior Research Fellow, Defense Programs, The Heritage Foundation; and, Ana Wugofski, Vice President International Business Development, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

Left to right: Col. Rachel McCaffrey, Women in Defense; Juan Penalver, Lockheed Martin; Brig Gen Jansen, NDU; Ambassador Pedro Morenés. Photo credit: Stephen Bobb

Left to right: Ambassador Pedro Morenés; Ana Wugofsi, Lockheed Martin; Major General Mickey Edelstein, Embassy of Israel; Dr. Garett Martin, American University. Photo credit: Stephen Bobb

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Europe Whitney Baird provides food for thought at a Meridian Global Dialogue Dinner. Photo credit: Stephen Bobb

Magnus Nordenman (right) of the Atlantic Council discusses NATO, while American University Professor Garett Martin looks on. Photo credit: Stephen Bobb

Major General Mickey Edelstein, Defense Attaché at the Embassy of Israel, poses military considerations at Meridian Global Dialogue Dinner. Photo credit: Stephen Bobb

Left to right: Col. Rachel McCaffrey, Women in Defense; Juan Penalver, Lockheed Martin; Brig Gen Jansen, NDU; Ambassador Pedro Morenés. Photo credit: Stephen Bobb

Meridian President and CEO Ambassador Stuart Holliday guides a conversation on U.S.-Spain security cooperation. Photo credit: Stephen Bobb

The Meridian House Dining Room was the setting for a salon-style dinner honoring Ambassador of Spain Pedro Morenés. Coincidentally, Meridian House was built for returning U.S. Ambassador to Spain (and Greece) Irwin Laughlin. Photo credit: Stephen Bobb

Meridian International Center and Lockheed Martin co-host a dinner in honor of His Excellency Pedro Morenés, Spanish Ambassador to the United States. Meridian House, February 28, 2018. Photo credit: Stephen Bobb

Project Partner