The Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS), the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, and the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies will cosponsor a four-day seminar on countering transnational threats and the illegal narcotics trade on Feb. 13-16, 2012, at the National Defense University (NDU) in Washington, D.C. The event, Transnational Threats Symposium: The Illicit Commons, will focus on the increased flow of cocaine from South America, through West and North Africa, into Europe. Speakers will also discuss threats posed by international terrorism, smuggling, and environmental and health problems within, between, and among these regions.

Organizers expect 65 senior-level government officials from Latin America, West Africa, North Africa, Europe, and the United States, as well as representatives from international organizations to attend. William Wechsler, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counternarcotics and Global Threats, will give the keynote address. NDU President Vice Admiral Ann E. Rondeau and ACSS Director Ambassador (ret.) William M. Bellamy will offer opening remarks