National Security Network Speakers

Dr. James Ludes is the Executive Director of the American Security Project (ASP), a think-tank in Washington, DC.  ASP was founded in 2006 to educate the public on a broad range of national security issues and the value of a principled approach to security.

From 2002 to 2006, Dr. Ludes was Legislative Assistant to Senator John Kerry for defense and foreign policy.  During that time, he also coordinated defense policy issues for Senator Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign -- assisting in the development of policies on military end-strength, force structure, and improved benefits for military families and veterans.

Prior to his work in the Senate, Dr. Ludes was Editor-in-Chief of National Security Studies Quarterly (NSSQ), a defense and national security journal.  During his tenure, Dr. Ludes transformed NSSQ from a student-run journal into a professional publication receiving considerable attention in the media and the policy community.

Dr. Ludes earned his Ph.D. in history from Georgetown University and his bachelor's degree in history and modern languages from Providence College in 1993.

Dr. Ludes will be giving a presentation entitled "American National Security: Looking Beyond the Military" on Monday, September 15 at 3:30 p.m. in Hedges Conference Room, The Commons.

Roger W. Cressey served in senior cyber-security and counterterrorism positions in the Clinton and Bush Administrations.  He has been a crisis manager in Africa, the Middle East, and the Balkans.  He currently advises clients on homeland security, cyber security, and counterterrorism issues and is an on-air counterterrorism analyst for NBC News.

Previously, Mr. Cressey served as Chief of Staff to the President's Critical Infrastructure Protection Board at the White House from November 2001 to September 2002.  From November 1999 to November 2001, Mr. Cressey served as Director for Transnational Threats on the Nation Security Council staff, where he coordinated and implemented U.S. counterterrorism policy.  During this period, he managed the U.S. Government's response to the Millennium terror alert, the USS Cole Attack, and the September 11th attacks.

Prior to his White House service, Mr. Cressey served in the Department of Defense, including as Deputy Director for War Plans.  From 1991-1995, he served in the Department of State working on Middle East Security issues.  He has served overseas with the U.S. Embassy in Israel and with United Nations peacekeeping missions in Somalia and the former Yugoslavia.

Mr. Cressey received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and a master's degree in Security Policy Studies from The George Washington University.

Mr. Cressey will be giving a presentation entitled "International Terrorism" on Monday, October 6 at 3:30 p.m. in Hedges Conference Room, The Commons.