The Hoover History Lab (HHL), in partnership with the institution's Global Policy and Strategy Initiative (GPS), hosted General Christopher G. Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander, U.S. European Command, for an off-the-record roundtable on July 19, 2024. In keeping with our broad understanding of national security, attendees included representatives from the engineering, sustainability, and medical schools, as well as scholars in history and international relations and national security professionals. Admiral (ret.) James O. Ellis, Jr., (GPS director) and Stephen Kotkin (HHL director) presided. General Cavoli offered remarks about the evolution of NATO over its lifetime, in connection with the recent 75th anniversary summit meeting in Washington, D.C., Russia's war against Ukraine, and the nature of warfare today and perhaps tomorrow. A spirited exchange ensued on these and other topics, from energy dependencies to the enduring deadliness of low-tech weapons, from the West's defense industrial base to the imperative of strengthening civic consciousness and the service ethos in America.
General Cavoli stressed the importance of supporting Ukraine in its fight to retain its sovereignty, while underscoring that no matter how and when this conflict might end, Russia for many years to come will remain a challenge for the United States and Europe, situated as it is on the borders of NATO. "The alliance along with its partners must prepare accordingly," he stated. In response to questions, the general made clear his personal as well as our country's commitment to Transatlanticism. He noted movingly how in Normandy, and on the battlefields of Netherlands, Belgium, and elsewhere, he has seen a genuine and abiding affection for the United States and gratitude for what Americans did during both world wars, sentiments that are not necessarily found on the front pages of newspapers. He has seen families take it upon themselves to adopt the graves of American soldiers who died in Europe, teach their children the life story of a particular U.S. soldier, and develop pen-pal relationships with the descendants of Americans killed defending Europe's and our freedom. "In a world like the one we live in, we need friends, partners," the general emphasized. "As a country and as part of NATO and multiple other alliances, we must handle more problems than one, and we can only do that with people who have deep bonds with us. We have that in Europe."
