The 2016 election and the first month of a new presidential administration have placed questions of foreign policy under the media and public microscope—from NATO, the EU, and relations with Russia; to the Middle East, Israel, and ISIS; to the Pacific trade deal and U.S. immigration.

For an experienced perspective and insight on the future of U.S. foreign policy, Smith Soc turns to Mary Beth Long, a former Assistant Secretary of Defense under Secretary Bob Gates and a long-serving consultant to major U.S. corporations and several government agencies. Join us for an off-the-record salon dinner where Mary Beth will give her unique perspective and lead a discussion on current hot topics including: immigration, the looming threat of terrorism, and the role of NATO and other international agreements in the U.S. security framework moving forward.

About the Speaker

Mary Beth Long served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs from 2007 until 2009. The first female Assistant Secretary of Defense to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and a four-star civilian equivalent, Long also served as the first female Chair of NATO’s High Level Group responsible for nuclear policy.

She has consulted for several Fortune 50 companies and specializes in the African and Middle Eastern markets. Additionally, she has advised several presidential candidates, including the Romney Campaign in 2011-2012. Ms. Long has appeared on Fox News, BBC, and NPR to discuss Middle East issues and the intelligence community. As a practicing attorney, Long worked from 1999 until 2004 as an associate specializing in civil litigation matters at Williams & Connolly LLP, one of the nation’s most prestigious law firms. She is an Honors Graduate of Pennsylvania State University, magna cum laude, and received her JD from Washington and Lee University School of Law.