Stay updated with breaking news from Bureau africa. Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
Of staff. Were really very thrilled hes been able to carve time out of his busy schedule. And spend time with us today to talk about counterterrorism in an era of competing priorities. Russell will deliver opening remarks from the podium and well sit down for a little fireside chat. Ill take the moderators prerogative and ask the first few questions then ill open it up to all you here in attendance in person to ask some questions, and we welcome all of you who are watching via live stream or via cspan. Thank you for joining us today. Russell, the podium is yours. So, thanks very much, matt. Its a great pleasure to be here amongst a number of old friends to talk about counterterrorism in an era of competing resources. I happened to testify earlier this week with the leadership at the fbi and dhs and was talking to a friend of mine yesterday from dhs and said a colleague of hers had seen the testimony and that characterized my performance as that of a thoughtful nerd, so i am hoping to a ....
[inaudible conversations] good afternoon, everybody. Welcome to the Washington Institute for near east policy. I have the pleasure of directing the institutes reinhardt program on counterterrorism and intelligence and im very, very please to be joined here today by the acting director of the National Counterterrorism center, Russell Travers. Todays conversation is part of the institutes ongoing counterterrorism lecture series. Russell took office at nctc as acting director in august, but its not his first, second or third time in the building. He felt many other leadership positions within nctc including Deputy Director counsel to the director, acting director to the office of datacomm strategy and innovation, chief data officer, among others pick ....
Really have left me energized and inspired, prickly optimistic and they make me frankly optimistic and they make me want to do more for you in washington. I look forward to seeing you all in your home countries and your communities. At this moment, let me just add we are very concerned with the events that are unfolding around the continent, which makes the world work that leaders you do more important. Today, we are here to celebrate all of you. We have probably joined the chorus of your loved ones, ortners and friends, rooting for you. We commend each one of you on the ways you are trying to change your communities your leading and serving. A lot of us get frustrated with the pace of change or how challenging it is to implement solutions. One thing i like to say late d. C. Is incremental change is still change. Thank you for all being part of cumulative incremental change. [applause] this afternoon, you will become Mandela Washi ....
Really have left me energized and inspired, prickly optimistic and they make me frankly optimistic and they make me want to do more for you in washington. I look forward to seeing you all in your home countries and your communities. At this moment, let me just add we are very concerned with the events that are unfolding around the continent, which makes the world work that leaders you do more important. Today, we are here to celebrate all of you. We have probably joined the chorus of your loved ones, ortners and friends, rooting for you. We commend each one of you on the ways you are trying to change your communities your leading and serving. A lot of us get frustrated with the pace of change or how challenging it is to implement solutions. One thing i like to say late d. C. Is incremental change is still change. Thank you for all being part of cumulative incremental change. [applause] this afternoon, you will become Mandela Washi ....
To see where it has gone today is amazing. Over the years i have met many of you on my travels, many of your predecessors, including in togo last december when i traveled. Those conversations left me energized and inspired, frankly optimistic, and they make me want to do more for all of you here in washington. I look forward to seeing you all in your home countries and in your home communities. I have to say at this moment, let me just add we are office he very concerned with the events that are unfolding and also on the continent that makes the work leaders like you do all the more important. Today we are here to celebrate all of you. We proudly join the chorus of your loved ones, partners and friends who are rooting for you. We commend each and everyone of you for the ways in which you are working to change your communities you are leading and serving. I know a lot of us often get frustrated with the pace of change or how challenging it is to implement solutions. One thing i like to ....