The Arnold A. Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies,
the Department of Political Science,
and the School of International and Public Affairs,
Columbia University, present

A Conference in Honor
of Robert Jervis

Friday, February 17, 2023
9:00am – 5:00pm EST
_______________________
In-person registration has closed;
but you may livestream the event here.

Schedule of Events

9:00 am-9:15 am
Opening Introduction, Peter Clement, Columbia University

9:30 am-11:00 am
Nuclear War Theory: Continuity and Change
Robert Jervis’s prize-winning book on The Meaning of the Nuclear Revolution traced out the logical and psychological implications of his insight that “mutual assured destruction is a fact, not a policy.” But now scholars and practitioners are raising qualifications to that fact and arguing that past strategists didn’t adhere to it as policy. Does this endanger the stability of the balance of terror? 

Moderator: Cynthia Roberts, Hunter College; Columbia University 

Panelists:
Charles Glaser, George Washington University
Scott Sagan, Stanford University 
Etel Solingen, University of California Irvine 
Stephen Van Evera, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

11:15 am-12:00 pm
Remarks, Richard Betts, Columbia University
Remarks, Alexa Jervis, Daughter, Speaking on behalf of the Jervis Family
Video, Derek Chollet, U.S. Department of State
SIPA Video Celebrating Robert Jervis 

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Break

1:00 pm-1:15 pm
Remarks, Colin Kahl, U.S. Department of Defense

1:30 pm-3:00 pm
Afternoon Session: Great Power Competition 

Robert Jervis wrote that the balance of power is a system that organizes resistance to aggression, not a system that guarantees peace. He also explained that either threats or concessions could fuel conflict if directed toward the wrong type of adversary in the wrong way. Are today’s great powers capable of the discriminating judgment needed for effective
grand strategy? 

Moderator: Michael Doyle, Columbia University

Panelists:
Thomas Christensen, Columbia University
Jacob Lew, Columbia University
Kimberly Marten, Barnard College, Columbia University
Mira Rapp-Hooper, National Security Council

3:00 pm-4:00 pm
Remarks, Keren Yarhi-Milo, Dean, Columbia University,
School of International and Public Affairs 
Introduction of Secretary Clinton, Keren Yarhi-Milo
Brief Remarks, Secretary Hillary Clinton
Introduction of Avril Haines, President Lee Bollinger, Columbia University

4:00 pm-5:00 pm
Gabriel Silver Lecture, Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence
Fireside chat with Keren Yarhi-Milo, Dean, Columbia University,
School of International and Public Affairs