DETERRENCE SCHOOL

School of Defense & Strategic Studies @ Missouri State University

What threatens the security of nations? Can peace prevail? How? The faculty, students, and special guests of Missouri State University’s School of Defense & Strategic Studies grapple with their toughest assignment: deterrence. dsstestaccount.substack.com

  1. Derek Licina on US Strategic Competition against China in the Global Health Space

    15 APR

    Derek Licina on US Strategic Competition against China in the Global Health Space

    DSS doctoral student Melissa Galazin talks with Derek Licina, Adjunct Professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University and President of Health Security Catalyst. Licina is an internationally recognized expert in global health, medical services, and security cooperation. His executive-level experience in consulting and addressing health and security challenges has contributed to building partner capacity across Asia and the Middle East. In this episode, Galazin and Licina discuss global health as a critical component of national security, focusing on the strategic competition between the United States and China. They analyze the fundamentals of global health, its use as a form of soft power, and the challenges and opportunities facing the United States as it navigates strategic competition with China. Join us to explore one of the most underreported topics in national security. Some of Licina’s recent primary or co-authored writings: * “Progress Without Programs: Reforming U.S. Department of Defense Global Health Engagement for Economic and Strategic Advantage“ at https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/06/20/progress-without-programs/ * “International Trauma Capacity Building Programs: Modernizing Capabilities, Enhancing Lethality, Supporting Alliances, Building Partnerships, and Implementing Reform” at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35104338/ * “The Implications of the New Security Environment on the National Health Systems Enterprise“ at https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/joint-force-quarterly/vol115/iss3/4/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsstestaccount.substack.com

    52 min
  2. S2 E6 Wilson Rickerson on Powering the Fight

    25 MAR

    S2 E6 Wilson Rickerson on Powering the Fight

    Paul Schecklman, DSS Doctotal Student at Missouri State, sits down for a discussion with Wilson Rickerson from Converge Strategies. Paul and Wilson talk through the issues facing the grid, generation, and future demands or issues. Much of today's attention is focused on the defense industrial base to supply the war materiel necessary to deter and defend American interests. Less attention is spent on powering such effort in parallel with increasing electricity demand from compute, reshoring, and general electrification. Tune in to hear more about how the U.S. needs to ensure it can power a future fight. Wilson Rickerson is the President and Co-Founder of Converge Strategies, where he leads efforts to strengthen the resilience and security of America’s energy systems. He works across the military, government, utilities, and emergency management communities to address risks ranging from cyber threats and extreme weather to aging infrastructure and geopolitical disruption, and has supported resilience planning for more than 100 military installations. Previously, Wilson served as CEO of Meister Consultants Group, shaping energy and resilience strategies across all 50 states and in over 40 countries. About Converge Strategies- Converge Strategies provides consulting services focused on the intersection of energy resilience and national security. Our mission is to connect and align the people and organizations required to strengthen the resilience of our communities and infrastructure. Check out more from Rickerson and Converge Strategies- Converge Strategies LinkedInRickerson’s LinkedInWebsiteNewsletter Thanks for reading DETERRENCE SCHOOL! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsstestaccount.substack.com

    48 min

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What threatens the security of nations? Can peace prevail? How? The faculty, students, and special guests of Missouri State University’s School of Defense & Strategic Studies grapple with their toughest assignment: deterrence. dsstestaccount.substack.com