On October 16, 2018, a conference hosted by U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. brought together over 80 chiefs of defense from around the world at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland to discuss countering violent extremist organizations. Austria was represented by General Robert Brieger.

The senior military leaders participated in discussions that reinforced the main themes of the conference, to include security cooperation and capacity building, applying military pressure, and countering violent extremists. Participants also discussed the current threats generated by violent extremist organizations worldwide as well as the importance of partnerships, alliances, and increased military-to-military communication in identifying, countering, and defeating those threats.

During his visit in the U.S., the Austrian Chief of Defense also met with several international counterparts for bilateral meetings, i.a. with General Claudio Graziano from Italy, the incoming chairman of the European Union Military Committee. They discussed international operations, defense cooperation initiatives, security in the Western Balkans, European Battle Groups, and the importance of the European global strategy.

General Brieger was accompanied by Major General Jürgen Ortner, Austrian Military Attaché in Washington, DC, and Brigadier General Reinhard Trischak, who in February 2018 presented the “security and military” perspectives of the Austrian European Union Presidency as part of the Austrian Lecture Series. Watch the video here.