The Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law

Infobox University
name = The Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law


established = 2007
director = James M. Lindsay
home = The University of Texas at Austin
city = Austin, Texas
country = United States
website = http://www.robertstrausscenter.org|

The Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law is a nonpartisan, multidisciplinary global affairs research center at The University of Texas at Austin. The Center is named for renowned lawyer and public servant Ambassador Robert S. Strauss.

Purpose and Activities

In addition to recruiting top scholars and practitioners of global affairs to The University of Texas, The Strauss Center also convenes meetings, conferences, lectures, and other events that bring government officials, national opinion leaders, global figures, and prominent thinkers to campus to debate and discuss major global issues. In conducting these activities, The Center strives to::*Engage the world beyond the university: The Strauss Center bridges the gap between UT and the world outside by engaging policymakers, business and civic leaders and journalists. Creating new networks inspires innovative thinking about global affairs.

:*Conduct multidisciplinary research: Today’s global challenges are multi-dimensional. They cannot be solved by one discipline alone. The Center brings together scholars from across the campus to tackle the most difficult global issues.

:*Prepare the next generation of leaders: Throughout his career, Ambassador Strauss has championed new and varied voices. The Strauss Center continues this tradition of mentorship by supporting the work of promising undergraduate and graduate students.

:*Promote civil, responsible discussion: In advising presidents of both parties, Ambassador Strauss embodied the value that guides the Center’s efforts: civility. The Strauss Center is nonpartisan and encourages the free and open exchange of ideas.

The Center actively disseminates its work to policymakers, journalists, scholars, students, and other interested citizens in the United States and abroad. It does so in the books, articles, and op-eds written by its fellows; through public events and television, radio, and newspaper interviews; and with written, visual, and audio presentations on the Strauss Center website.

pecific Research Areas

The Strauss Center’s research covers the full range of issues affecting global affairs, with key focus areas leveraging The University of Texas’s specific research strengths:

:*America’s Role in the World: America faces tough challenges overseas. China, India and Brazil are emerging as new power centers. Peace in the Middle East remains elusive. Russia is resurgent. Global trade both helps and hurts American workers. Transnational problems such as nuclear proliferation, climate change and infectious disease raise questions about the effectiveness of America’s tradition of acting unilaterally. The United States needs to find new ways to succeed in a shifting global environment.

:*Technology, Innovation, and Global Security: The United States has been both a creator and beneficiary of the technology revolution. America’s economic competitiveness and national security depend on remaining a vibrant leader on the cutting edge of technology and innovation. But in the current international environment, America faces increasing challenges to its technology leadership. Finding ways to sustain innovation, apply technology to solve global economic and security problems and avoid the dangers of misuse and abuse of scientific advances are among the most pressing issues of our day.

:*Energy and the Environment: Abundant energy is both essential to sustaining global prosperity and a potential source of its undoing. The global economy has been built on relatively low-cost energy supplies. But as energy costs soar, economic growth is stymied and potential conflict looms. At the same time, the world’s reliance on fossil fuels is changing Earth’s climate and threatening to devastate the global ecosystem. These developments could shake the foundations of modern society and fundamentally alter the geopolitical landscape.

:*Global Governance: Globalization is profoundly altering the lives of people around the globe—for better and for worse. The increased flow of goods, services, capital and ideas across borders stimulates economic activity and enhances prosperity. But is also threatens age old cultural practices and economic interests, breeds resentment between the poor and the rich, triggers disputes over rules, rights and responsibilities and provides new opportunities for criminals and terrorists. Managing the disputes that globalization generates and mitigating the dangers it unleashes is one of the great challenges of the 21st century.

Recent Research

* [http://www.robertstrausscenter.org/research/view/10 History and Policy:] Strauss Center Director of Studies Frank Gavin addresses examples of how and when historical scholarship can be a benefit to creating policy, despite a generally poor relationship between historical scholars and policymakers. The article appears in the Winter 2007-08 issue of "International Journal".
* [http://www.robertstrausscenter.org/research/view/11 The Thirsty Dragon and the Wealthy Bear: How China, Russia and high oil prices threaten to erode U.S. foreign influence:] Russia and China are once again reluctant to side with the United States and support another sanctions resolution against Iran and its nuclear enrichment and reprocessing activities. Challenges to important U.S. foreign policy strategies like Iranian containment sharply illustrate how high energy prices are helping to foster new global power dynamics that compromise and complicate America's foreign policy and challenge U.S. leadership and influence.
* [http://www.robertstrausscenter.org/research/view/7 Climate Change and National Security: An Agenda for Action:] Climate change presents a serious threat to the security and prosperity of the U.S. and other countries. Effects of climate change can overwhelm disaster-response capabilities, as evidenced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Recognizing that some degree of climate change is inevitable, [http://www.robertstrausscenter.org/people/view/16 Strauss Fellow Josh Busby] moves beyond diagnosis of the threat to propose a portfolio of feasible and affordable recommendations for action.

trauss Center Events

The Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law hosts a variety of events on pressing issues facing the United States and the rest of the world. These events bring together scholars, students, and practitioners to share expertise and debate ideas. The Strauss Center encourages free and open exchange of ideas and welcomes speakers representing a wide array of views to discuss global issues.

Recent Events

* [http://www.robertstrausscenter.org/events/view/42 "Nanking" Documentary Film Screening:] A screening of the documentary film "Nanking" which depicts the tragic events associated with Japan’s aggression against China and invasion of the Chinese capital in December of 1937. The screening was followed by a Q&A with the film's co-director, Dan Sturman, Dr. Huaiyin Li, Assistant Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin, and Strauss Fellow Dr. Alan Kuperman.
* [http://www.robertstrausscenter.org/events/view/41 Internet Policy for the Next Administration:] Internet policy and technology experts Marc Rotenberg and Howard Shelanski discussed pressing issues in internet policy including net neutrality and privacy concerns.
* [http://www.robertstrausscenter.org/events/view/39 Global Civilization?:] Philip Zelikow discussed the direction that U.S. foreign policy should be taking in light of today’s global civilization.

Directors

*James M. Lindsay, Director
*Francis J. Gavin, Director of Studies
*Kenneth Flamm, Director of Technology, Innovation and Global Security Program

External links

* [http://www.robertstrausscenter.org/ Robert S. Strauss Center]