Join Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, Iceland’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster, as they discuss the evolving U.S.-Iceland relationship, Icelandic-European relations, and the continued security challenges of the Arctic. Appointed as the Special Envoy of Council of Europe Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine, Gylfadóttir provides an insight into her vital role in raising awareness of the challenges facing the children of Ukraine, the driving forces behind Putin’s behavior, and why sustained support for Ukraine from Europe and the US is critical. Iceland a founding member of NATO, Gylfadóttir discusses the importance of NATO to transatlantic security from an Icelandic perspective, the importance of the transatlantic relationship in the fight against Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, as well as current priorities for the US-Iceland relationship and why Americans should experience a visit to the country of Iceland.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir is the Special Envoy of Council of Europe Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine. Gylfadóttir previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2021 to 2023 and once more in 2024, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs from November 2023 to April 2024, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation from 2017 to 2021. She was the youngest woman to serve as a minister. Since 2016, Gylfadóttir has represented the Independence Party in Iceland’s parliament, the Althing, and was appointed vice-chairman of the party in 2018. She holds a master’s degree in law from Reykjavik University.

H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

Join Petr Pavel, President of Czechia, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss Czechia’s evolving role in European security, opportunities to restore peace to Europe and prevent future conflicts, and a vision of a positive agenda for a transatlantic relationship between the US and Europe. Reflecting on the importance of collective defense, Pavel provides his thoughts on the transatlantic response necessary to counter Chinese aggression and the shadow war Russia is waging against Europe, the crucial role the US plays in NATO, as well as the importance of the European Union to Czechia, what we can expect from Poland’s presidency in the Council of the EU and why Americans should be interested in European security.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

President Petr Pavel is a retired army general and former chairman of the NATO Military Committee. President Pavel previously served as the highest-ranking officer in the Army, Chief of the General Staff. In 2022, Pavel ran for president as an independent nominated by citizens. Since taking office in 2023, he has prioritized national security, European integration, and bolstering Czechia’s role in global affairs. President Pavel graduated from the Army College in Vyškov in 1983 and holds a Master’s from King’s College, London.

H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

Join former director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, David Vigneault, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss the Canadian federal election results, trade, and the potential for a common agenda for the future of the US-Canada alliance. Reflecting on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s victory in the Canadian federal election in April 2025 and President Trump’s recent controversial comments on Canada as the ‘51st state’, Vigneault provides his thoughts on the importance of the US-Canada relationship and outlines a positive agenda of cooperation between both countries in areas including North American defense, intelligence cooperation, missile defense, supply chain resilience and energy security. Vigneault discusses Canada’s relationship with Mexico, the dangers associated with conflicts in South Asia, including the current conflict between Pakistan and India, and how best to secure critical infrastructure, sensitive technologies, and intellectual property from hostile countries such as China.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

David Vigneault is the former director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, also known as CSIS. Under his leadership, CSIS elevated awareness of vulnerabilities in sectors critical to Canadian innovation and sovereignty—ranging from biopharmaceuticals and artificial intelligence to aerospace and quantum computing. Prior to CSIS, Vigneault served as Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet for Security and Intelligence in the Privy Council Office. He also held roles in the Canada Border Services Agency, the Communications Security Establishment, and the Department of National Defence. In August 2024, Vigneault joined Strider Technologies—a U.S.-based strategic intelligence firm—where he guides security strategy across public and private sector domains.

H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.