On December 16, 2009, forty Next Generation Fellows from across the nation including government officials, representatives from business, hi-tech industry, international institutions, the military, nonprofit organizations, the media, and academia gathered at the Meridian International Center in Washington, D.C. to address the topic, “Obama – One Year Later.” The Assembly was co-sponsored by The American Assembly, The Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law at the University of Texas, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), and the Meridian International Center (MIC), and it was the first meeting in the second phase of The Next Generation Project. The Next Generation Project is directed by Francis J. Gavin, Director of the Strauss Center for International Security and Law at The University of Texas at Austin. Admiral B. R. Inman, Lyndon B. Johnson Centennial Chair in National Policy, The University of Texas at Austin and Trustee of The American Assembly chaired the senior advisory council of The Next Generation Project and observed the meeting. After introductory remarks, the Assembly opened with a panel, moderated by John Nagl, president of CNAS. Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, Coordinator for Threat Reduction Programs, Department of State; Janine Davidson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Plans; and Erik Leklem, Senior Strategy Advisor, Department of State served as panelists. Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Forces, addressed the fellows at a luncheon plenary session.