The Department of Defense (DOD) will not participate in events with think tanks, as it conducts a “thorough vetting” of events in which the Pentagon can participate.
“In order to ensure the Department of Defense is not lending its name and credibility to organizations, forums, and events that run counter to the values of this administration, the Department’s Office of Public Affairs will be conducting a thorough vetting of every event where Defense officials are invited to participate,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told The Epoch Times on July 24.
The move comes a week after the Pentagon prohibited military personnel from participating in the annual Aspen Security Forum (ASF). The forum is organised by the Aspen Strategy Group, which operates under the umbrella of the Aspen Institute.
Parnell told The Epoch Times that the event, which attracts national security leaders and experts, “does not align with the values” of the Pentagon.
“The Department will remain strong in its focus to increase the lethality of our warfighters, revitalize the warrior ethos, and project Peace Through Strength on the world stage,” he said. “It is clear the ASF is not in alignment with these goals.”
Former speakers at the ASF include former national security advisor Jake Sullivan, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Senate Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Mark Warner (D-Va.), former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, former Israeli ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog, former Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.), and former Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo.
One administration official, Adam Boehler, however, did take part in the ASF. Boehler is the special envoy for hostage affairs at the State Department.
The Aspen Institute told The Epoch Times in a statement: “For more than a decade, the Aspen Security Forum has welcomed senior officials—Republican and Democrat, civilian and military—as well as senior foreign officials and experts, who bring experience and diverse perspectives on matters of national security. We will miss the participation of the Pentagon, but our invitations remain open.”