Stratfor Teams Up with Clements and Strauss Centers

Sep 19, 2017

Press Release: 

Stratfor, the world’s leading geopolitical intelligence platform, today announced a set of joint initiatives with the Clements Center for National Security; the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law; and the Intelligence Studies Project at The University of Texas at Austin to engage on geopolitical analysis, national security conversations and graduate education. The initiatives include the creation of an Applied Geopolitical Fellows Program and sponsorship of the upcoming fourth annual Texas National Security Forum on October 12, 2017.

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to work with the Clements Center, Strauss Center and Intelligence Studies Project at UT Austin where they’re not only helping to shape the conversation on today’s pressing international affairs issues, but also training the next generation of leaders in this field,” said Stratfor CEO and Executive Chairman Dave Sikora. “Tracking and forecasting transformative geopolitical events, long-term trends and shifts in global power on the forefront of today’s national discourse is at the core of our work here at Stratfor.”

The creation of the Applied Geopolitics Fellowship Program aims to cultivate the next generation of geopolitical thinkers and highlight the value of integrating geopolitics in decision-making and overall public discourse. Each semester, two undergraduate or graduate students will be invited to apply their national security insight in a private industry setting. Their roles will range from intelligence collection to geopolitical analysis support, working alongside Stratfor’s team of industry leading geopolitical analysts.

“Our organizations share an interest in helping students, citizens and entrepreneurs understand the world we live in,” said William Inboden, Executive Director of the Clements Center for National Security. “We’re excited about our new relationship with Stratfor and look forward to a fruitful collaboration, including Stratfor’s sponsorship of the Texas National Security Forum.”

This year’s forum theme, “Alliances and Partnerships in American National Security,” brings together leading experts on defense, diplomacy, intelligence and international financial policy for a series of panel discussions and emphasizes the increasing role Austin, Texas plays in influencing these fields of global policy.

Stratfor Chief Security Officer Fred Burton, a former counterterrorism agent with the U.S. State Department, will moderate a panel discussion at the forum entitled “Intelligence Perspectives,” examining several leading issues facing international policy makers today. Stratfor will also offer all forum attendees membership to Stratfor Worldview, the company’s premier digital publication that Fortune 500 companies, governments and globally engaged individuals turn to for objective geopolitical intelligence, analysis and forecasting to make sense of an increasingly complicated world.

“The Texas National Security Network aims to spotlight the talent of our students and faculty,” said Bobby Chesney, Director of the Strauss Center for International Security and Law. “Partnering with Stratfor, a leading geopolitical intelligence enterprise located right in the heart of Texas, is a perfect match.”

Guest speakers at this year’s forum will include former Acting Director of Central Intelligence John McLaughlin; former Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency David Shedd; former Assistant U.S. Secretary of State David Kramer; retired U.S. Lieutenant General Douglas Lute; and Leslie Ireland, former Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis at the U.S. Department of Treasury. The Texas National Security Forum takes place on October 12 in the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center at The University of Texas at Austin.

As part of the ongoing relationship with the Clements Center, Strauss Center and Intelligence Studies Project, all students within those programs will receive complimentary access to the geopolitical intelligence, analysis and forecasting at Stratfor Worldview. Stratfor will also invite faculty members to share their expert national security perspectives with Worldview members through Stratfor’s external contributor program.