The annual Sandhurst Conference took place on 22 April 2024 at West Point’s Eisenhower Hall. Sponsored by the Modern War Institute and made possible by the generous support of the USMA Class of 1999, the conference provides an intellectual counterpart to the Sandhurst military skills competition, serving as a way to further develop competitors’ mental agility and critical thinking skills.

The 2022 National Security Strategy and the 2023 National Intelligence Strategy both stressed the importance of international, interagency, and inter-service partnerships in securing national interests and preparing for future conflict.  Those documents were the driving force behind this year’s theme, which was “Partnering for the Future.” Throughout the conference, participants were encouraged to explore the complexities of forging alliances in an era where traditional state-centric warfare is increasingly complemented by non-traditional threats

General (Retired) Robert Abrams, whose military service included command of United Nations Command as well as ROK-US Combined forces command, was the keynote speaker. His remarks were followed by a panel consisting of military and civilian experts representing the joint and combined force as well as the Special Operations community. Both the keynote address and the panel discussion highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts among nations, sister services, interagency organizations, and current and potential partners, emphasizing the need for adaptable coalitions that can navigate the challenges of tomorrow.