10TH ANNUAL SPECIAL OPERATIONS / LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT SYMPOSIUM & EXHIBITION 10th Annual Special Operations / Low Intensity Conflict Symposium & Exhibition "CONFRONTING EMERGING THREATS" Challenges for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict 16-18 February 1999 Hyatt Regency Hotel-Crystal City Arlington, Virginia Sponsored by: SO/LIC Division, NDIA Emerging today are new and heightened threats against our Country. Threats against our vital interests overseas are taking on a more aggressive character; threats from ideological adversaries are more blatant; escalating ethnic conflicts are threatening to increase regional instability; threats to critical infrastructure as outlined in Presidential Decision Directive 63 have been carried out, as in the bombing of the U.S. embassies in August 1998; threats derived from food and water shortages are at the core of new conflicts, especially in Africa; the proliferation and use of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) has been exacerbated by illegal technology transfers; improvements in missile technology and emergence of biotechlaboratories in adversary countries provide new capabilities to engage us in some form of asymmetric confrontation. Violence and political unrest in drug producing countries threaten to destroy governments. Challenges in eliminating or mitigating the effects of these threats are complex. Solutions require well-trained, modernized and ready forces with special capabilities; policies that are unambiguous and executable; and a national resolve to engage. Solutions will likely strain the currently austere defense budget and effectiveness of results will often be difficult to assess, especially in the short term. Special Operations Forces in a Low Intensity Conflict (LIC) role, as well as other forces dedicated to LIC, are faced with a plethora of challenges. Inherent in their missions must be the correct decision on force application, constant situation assessments, and flexibility to redirect or terminate efforts. Because the spectrum of threats is so wide and diverse it may be difficult or impossible to confront all of them simultaneously with assurance of success, but we must be capable of responding to any of them when required. We must be able to project the influence of the United States against any threat in any area of the world when it is in our national interest to do so. It will be the objective of this, the 10th Annual SO/LIC Symposium, to examine these emerging threats and try to bring new perspectives on how to defend our country in what is clearly the era of Low Intensity Conflict. The Symposium will bring together national security professionals to present their views on policies, strategy, resources and readiness required to confront with success the threats of this new LIC era. This Symposium will be extremely useful to industry leaders who are developing strategies for their companies' national security business and allocating resources to pursue Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict programs. The Symposium will also provide the opportunity for direct interface with national SO/LIC leaders and program directors. Exhibits will showcase the products, systems and services from industries involved in the SO/LIC component of our national security program. WEB: Click here to visit the SO/LIC Symposium page at www.ndia.org, http://www.ndia.org/interview/register.ndia?~Brochure~988. E-MAIL: Click here to contact NDIA POC for more SO/LIC information, cwilkins@ndia.org. Posted 12/28/98 (W-SN283594).

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0253 19981230\SP-0009.MSC)