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The Center for Applied Strategic Learning (CASL), a component of the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University, provides strategic policy exercises and research to colleges within the university, Combatant Commands, the Joint Staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Department of Defense, Congress, and other government entities.
Directed by Erik Kjonnerod, with the assistance of Deputy Director Lee Blank, the center has multiple competencies. Three divisions within the center, Strategic Policy Forum, Strategy and Operations, and Interagency Policy Analysis develop strategic-level simulations and sponsor symposia, conferences, and meetings. Research oriented staff from all three divisions contribute to a virtual Research and Analysis program, producing scholarship about the methodology of simulation design as well as lessons learned from particular exercises. These activities:
- encourage effective policy making,
- provide a forum to evaluate current and proposed policy,
- illustrate the implications of current and proposed policy, and
- demonstrate the importance of a whole-of-government approach to domestic and foreign crises.
Established in 1984, the Center for Applied Strategic Learning supports the National Defense University’s efforts to provide long range research, meetings and conferences, and policy exercises to the United States government and Department of Defense. The center also contributes to the intellectual discourse and understanding of numerous regional, functional, non-traditional, and newly emerging issues that shape United States foreign and domestic policy.
The center’s methodologies and activities have adapted to reflect the changing nature of both gaming and national security. Along with researching new threats, we also research new technologies—specifically software tools and computer models--for application within the learning environment. And, we partner closely with and maintain relationships with myriad organizations dedicated to experiential learning, gaming, disaster planning, crisis response, stability & reconstruction, and government reform. |
