The Aspen Strategy Group
Our mission is to convene decision-makers in resolutely nonpartisan public and private forums to address key foreign policy challenges facing the United States. Founded in 1984 by William Perry, Brent Scowcroft, and Joseph S. Nye, Jr., the Aspen Strategy Group is a bipartisan group of members from government, academia, business, and the media. Led by Co-Chairs Nicholas Burns and Condoleezza Rice, Executive Director Anja Manuel, and Director Niamh King, the ASG organizes and hosts meetings across the three pillars of its work: the Aspen Strategy Group, the public Aspen Security Forum, and the Rising Leaders Program.
Our History
The story of the ASG begins in 1971 with American strategist Paul Doty, who initiated an annual meeting to discuss arms control at the Aspen Institute. By the early 1980s, the group had evolved into a nonpartisan forum for discussion among academics, experts, and government officials. In 1984, William Perry, Brent Scowcroft, and Joe Nye formally created the ASG. The “founding three,” highly regarded in Washington and around the world for their leadership and public service, agreed that the group would be resolutely nonpartisan. They set in place a framework of private, off-the-record discussions to which we still adhere today. We believe this is a key reason for our success and why we continue to attract to Aspen the most senior former government officials from both parties, as well as journalists, business-people, and academics.
For a comprehensive history, read ASG co-founder and chairman emeritus Joseph S. Nye., Jr.’s “The Origins and Culture of the Aspen Strategy Group.”
Our Members
The Aspen Strategy Group is a bipartisan group of members from diverse professional backgrounds, including former government officials, legislators, academics, journalists, and business leaders. Members include former U.S. secretaries of state and defense, national security advisors, and senior executives from major corporations. This cross-disciplinary composition enables the ASG to foster high-level, nonpartisan dialogue on critical foreign policy and national security issues facing the United States and the global community.
Our Supporters
The Aspen Strategy Group is deeply grateful to have the support of many of the nation’s leading philanthropies, corporations, and generous individuals. Their belief in our mission to foster resolutely nonpartisan dialogue on the most pressing U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities is greatly appreciated, and we are pleased to recognize them here.
The Aspen Strategy Group is committed to transparency and best practices. Please read Our Conflict of Interest Policy for more information.
ASG Publications
Each year, the Aspen Strategy Group publishes a collection of op-eds and articles related to our discussions during our annual Summer Workshop.
For a full list of publications, please visit the Aspen Strategy Group Publications page.
