Project Coordinator: Lyle Goldstein PhD,
Associate Professor,
China Maritime Studies Institute,
U.S. Naval War College Newport,
Rhode Island, USA

On 25 March 2016, the Naval War College convened a group of faculty experts to discuss Russia’s future trajectory and the challenge it may pose to U.S. national security. The group of about 20 professors included many with extensive Russian-language skills and signifi cant time in either Russia, other states of the former Soviet Union, or Central Europe. There were also a number of faculty members with diplomatic and military experience dealing with Moscow present for the seminar. Some faculty experts with specialized knowledge (e.g., Syria, energy, arms control) were also invited to participate. As a forum open to the whole of the NWC faculty, the group not only was exceptionally knowledgeable regarding Russian affairs and associated issues but can genuinely provide a “sense of the faculty” assessment with respect to the Russian challenge.