Russia's War in Ukraine: Past, Present, and Future with Laura K. Cooper

Join us for a Buffett Conversation with Laura K. Cooper—Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia—moderated by Ian C. Kelly, Ambassador (ret.) in Residence at Northwestern University’s Roberta Buffett International Studies Program.

Drawing on her experience as a key architect of US defense policy, Cooper will offer insider perspective on the policy decisions that defined Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The conversation will begin with a personal retrospective on the first three years of the conflict, examining key questions such as whether earlier actions by the US and its allies could have deterred Russia’s invasion or enabled Ukraine to secure a faster victory. Cooper and Kelly will also explore what the war reveals about the changing face of modern warfare and its potential future directions: What policy choices remain available to the US and its allies, and how might those choices shape not only the outcome in Ukraine but also the broader global security landscape?

If you would like to attend this event virtually, you can register here.

About the Speaker

As the Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia, Ms. Cooper was responsible for policy concerning Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia (Belarus, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Moldova). She was also a career member of the Senior Executive Service and previously served as a Principal Director in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security Affairs, with policy responsibility for mission assurance, defense continuity of operations, and homeland counterterrorism.

Lunch will be served at 12:15 p.m.

Please note that 720 University Place is not an ADA-accessible space. Increasing physical access to buildings and facilities is a goal of the University, but not all buildings and venues have been updated at this time.

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