Guest post: the youth vote

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 4:58 PM Share

Michael Zubrow, who was my research assistant on The Gamble, has this guest post about two opportunities for younger people involved in national security:

First, CNAS has announced its Next Generation National Security Leaders program. Led by John Nagl and Steve Biegun, the program is a dinner series that will develop a strong network of emerging leaders. American citizens under 35 should check out the website -- it's a great way to launch a national security career in Washington. Members of the active duty military are especially encouraged to apply.
Second, Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (one of Washington's most dynamic organizations) is hosting its Second Annual Date Auction and Fundraiser on June 26th at 9:00 at the City Tavern Club. Proceeds will go to some worthwhile YPFP ventures including its Refugee Assistance Program and brand-new Veterans' Assistance Program.
In addition to auctioning off dinner dates with a couple younger Washingtonians and gifts like a trip to South Africa, YPFP is holding a silent auction to have lunch with several big-shot policymakers (and a journalist or two):
Confirmed participants include:
Ambassador Paul Bremer, former U.S. Presidential Envoy and Administrator in Iraq
Dr. Harold Brown, 14th United States Secretary of Defense
Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor
Elizabeth Bumiller, National Correspondent for the New York Times
Ambassador Nicholas Burns, Retired U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Professor at Harvard Kennedy School
Steve Clemons, director of the American Strategy Program at the New America Foundation and author, The Washington Note
Paula Dobriansky, Former Under Secretary of State fro Democracy and Global Affairs, Former Special Enyou to Northern Ireland
Dr. Lee Hamilton, President, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Jennifer Hillman, Senior Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall Fund
Carla A. Hills, former U.S. Trade Representative and Chairman and CEO of Hills & Co.
Dr. John Hamre, President, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Lieutenant General Patrick M. Hughes, VP of Intelligence & Counterterrorism at L-3 Communications Corporation
Mary Beth Long, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
Dr. John Nagl, President, the Center for a New American Security
Richard Perle, former Chairman of the U.S. Defense Policy Board
Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering, former U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs
Dr. Paul Pillar, former National Intelligence Officer for the Near East and South Asia
John Prendergast, co-founder of The Enough Project
Tom Ricks, contributing editor of Foreign Policy Magazine
Dr. Stephen Walt, Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government
Senator John Warner, Retired Senator from Virginia, Chairman, Committee on Armed Services 2003-2007
General Anthony C. Zinni, Chairman and Acting President & CEO of BAE Systems, former Commander in Chief of US CENTCOM"