Sovereign Challenge Conference (6th). Borders & Security: Similarities, Differences and Shared Affinities. Held in El Paso, Texas on November 7-10, 2010

摘要

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) hosted 103 Foreign Defense and Military Attaches, Law Enforcement Attaches, and Diplomats representing 67 countries at the 6th Sovereign Challenge Conference in El Paso, Texas from 7-10 November 2010. The conference theme was Borders & Security: Similarities, Differences, and Shared Affinities. In keeping with the theme, this conference explored a wide range of topics to include border control/management, trust, corruption/transnational crime, development of public support for education, a whole-of-government/whole-of- nation approach, and dealing with the unique challenges a border 'ecosystem' presents. This year's event is ground-breaking in that more law enforcement and legal attaches attended than ever before. A 'hands-on' border visit and briefing hosted and conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol certainly contributed to the success of the Sovereign Challenge program. Hallmarked by open and honest discussion, this conference stimulated participants to voice personal insights, perceptions, and as expected, cordial disagreements. The global environment is complex, and all nations have a role in building and protecting sovereignty. The threats emerging from this environment cannot be addressed without international cooperation and long-term holistic strategies. As a forum, Sovereign Challenge is bringing us closer to the day when we can, at the very least, come to a mutual understanding of the existential threats we face as sovereign nations. As we begin to look at ways to counter these threats, it is clear our sovereignty will only strengthen via the full understanding that results from conversations undertaken in forums like this conference. Sovereign Challenge is a unique approach to discussing some of the most important security issues of our time.