RED HORIZON
Force and Diplomacy in Eurasia
Join the Immersive Executive Education Program on the Harvard University campus
Our world is an increasingly complex and dangerous place. It needs real leaders to keep it safe.
Transform the way you think about international security. Step outside your daily routine and practice advanced negotiation and decision-making skills in a realistic international crisis scenario.
RED HORIZON: Force and Diplomacy in Eurasia is an immersive Executive Education Program brought to you by the Negotiation Task Force of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University.
4
TEAMS
70
NEGOTIATORS
452
MILITARY UNITS
An intensely
immersive scenario...
Chaos on the Korean peninsula. The Kim dynasty has collapsed. Chinese military forces have moved in to “restore order.”
The incursion stuns the United States and her allies. North Korean generals in command of nuclear forces are rumored to be defecting. To whom? Intelligence is unreliable.
Tensions are rising in Europe, too. The U.S. has deployed next-generation missile defenses to Poland. To “defend Arctic shipping,” NATO prepares the largest maritime maneuver since the Cold War. In response, the Russian Northern Fleet moves to high alert.
...based on urgent geopolitical challenges.
Decision makers today must operate in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.
The possibility of great power conflict has reemerged as a serious threat. International competition is intensifying across the political, economic, and informational spheres. At the same time, new technologies have allowed non-state actors to influence global conflict in novel ways.
These trends have challenged traditional instruments of statecraft, creating new opportunities for cooperation, but increasing the risk of conflict.
Through the RED HORIZON experience, you will uncover the hidden drivers of geopolitics, and acquire tools you need to tackle the world’s toughest problems.
"One of the most powerful decision-making exercises I have ever participated in."
— Career U.S. Naval Officer
Negotiate with the best.
RED HORIZON provides seasoned and emerging leaders from national security, academia, and industry with a unique training space to push their negotiation and decision-making skills to the next level.
You will be assigned to a team (U.S., China, Russia, or NATO) and receive a confidential briefing that outlines your objectives. Your realistic actor profile is created from data-driven research, informed by political trends across the Eurasian sphere and the Indo-Pacific. You conclude the exercise with a scenario debrief led by Negotiation Task Force experts.
Upon completion of the three-day virtual workshop, you will receive an official Certificate of Completion issued by the Negotiation Task Force of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University.
“ A must for those wanting to understand the real-world pressures of policy-making.”
— Civil Servant, UK Ministry of Defence
Sharpen advanced
negotiation
skills.
1
Defuse dangerous cognitive traps that threaten you and your team.
2
Align powerful stakeholders across hierarchies, organizational cultures, and political systems.
3
Emerge as a leader who can turn chaos to their advantage.
“An irreplaceable experience that sharpened my negotiation and decision-making skills and improved my situational analysis.”
– Ambassador-at-large, Lithuania
3D Methodology
Our advanced simulation methodology obviates the need for a control cell and expands the boundaries of what is possible in immersive training.
DEEP
A complex scenario that captures the unpredictability of true crises of statecraft.
DYNAMIC
An unparalleled, fully immersive learning environment that evolves alongside your team’s decisions.
DECENTRALIZED
An innovative simulation structure that turns control over to you.
“I strongly recommend this weekend for mid-career or senior foreign policy practitioners involved in military, intelligence and diplomatic work."
— a serving British diplomat
About Our Team
The Negotiation Task Force (NTF) at the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University promotes innovative solutions to Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian security challenges.
Our team unites scholars, students, and professionals from Harvard University and beyond to produce innovative negotiation research, analyses, and exercises.
We pioneer new models for high-impact knowledge dissemination, train practitioners in advanced negotiation skills, and build long-term conflict management capacity.
RED HORIZON: Force & Diplomacy in Eurasia
An Immersive Executive Education Program
We are not currently accepting applications. If you want to be the first to hear when registration opens, sign up for the NTF Insider.
General Admission Tickets:
Standard Rate for Virtual Program: $1,600
Standard Rate for On-Campus Program: $3,000
Does Red Horizon allow large groups to register?
Yes! Larger groups from government and military organizations, or businesses, may register. We also provide discounts for certain large groups.
Email RedHorizon@fas.harvard.edu for more information about group registration and special discounts!
When does the event take place?
The date for the next iteration of Red Horizon on Harvard University's campus has not yet been set. Sign up here to find out as soon as the dates for Red Horizon 2022 are determined.
Previous iterations of Red Horizon took place on the following dates:
Red Horizon 2018, November 30 - December 2
Red Horizon 2019, December 13 - 15
Red Horizon 2020, December 4 - 6
Red Horizon 2021, December 10-12
What is included in the ticket price?
3-day immersive workshop: The weekend features lectures and discussions, a full-day immersive crisis exercise, and a negotiation debrief facilitated by Negotiation Task Force experts.
Technical and political/military briefings: Two 60-minute sessions will help you navigate the Red Horizon universe. See FAQ for details.
Certificate of Completion: Upon completion of the 3 day workshop, you will receive an official Certificate of Completion issued by the Negotiation Task Force of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University.
What additional options do I have?
Take your Red Horizon experience to the next level by selecting a for-purchase add on!*
In the event that Red Horizon is run virtually, you can still order a Hard-Copy Briefing Packet. Get all of your Red Horizon briefing information in hard-copy! Shipping restrictions apply.
Strategic Negotiation Briefing. Join this exclusive, small group briefing on advanced negotiation strategies and techniques led by the NTF Director, Dr. Arvid Bell, to help prepare you for the Red Horizon exercise. Limited spots available!
Negotiation Performance Assessment. Receive feedback on your Red Horizon negotiation performance and improve your awareness of your negotiation strengths and weaknesses.
Hard-Copy Certificate of Participation. Get a hard-copy Certificate of Participation issued by the Negotiation Task Force, Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University. Hard-copy versions of the Certificate can be shipped to participants.
Still have questions? See the FAQ and email us at RedHorizon@fas.harvard.edu
*Restrictions apply, see FAQ for details.
Our Advisors & Speakers
Senior Researcher at ETH Zürich's Center for Security Studies; Negotiation Task Force Associate
Director of the Harvard Kennedy School Negotiation Project,
Mohamed Kamal Senior Lecturer in Negotiation and Public Policy
Rawi Abdelal
Herbert F. Johnson Professor of International Management at Harvard Business School; Director of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies
Timothy Colton
Morris and Anna Feldberg Professor of Government and Russian Studies at Harvard University
Arvid Bell
Director of the Negotiation Task Force at the Davis Center, Lecturer on Government at Harvard University
Alexander Bollfrass
Brian Mandell
Kelly O'Neill
Director of the Imperiia Project at the Davis Center, Lecturer on History at Harvard University
Kevin Ryan
Associate Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School;
Brigadier General (U.S. Army retired)
Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
1. What is Red Horizon?
“Red Horizon” is an immersive global crisis exercise incubated at the Negotiation Task Force at the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University to train participants in advanced negotiation and decision-making skills. “Red Horizon: Force and Diplomacy in Eurasia” is a 3-day Executive Education workshop for senior leaders and decision-makers which features the Red Horizon crisis exercise as well as preparatory briefings and debrief sessions with expert speakers.
2. Is Red Horizon a virtual workshop or an in-person event on the Harvard campus?
Red Horizon is offered as either a virtual program, or an in-person program on Harvard University's campus. The past two iterations took place virtually on the Zoom platform due to COVID-19 restrictions. We expect to offer Red Horizon 2022 as an in-person program on the Harvard campus.
3. What is the program schedule like?
Red Horizon is a 3-day workshop with additional briefings and individual preparation scheduled prior to these three days.
3-day workshop: The workshop takes place from Friday to Sunday. On Friday participants will attend a lecture, have time to read over course materials, and ask questions. On Saturday participants will assume their assigned roles and negotiate a nuclear crisis scenario all-day in-character. On Sunday participants will attend an exercise debrief lecture and discussion. Full attendance throughout these three days is expected and required to earn your Certificate of Completion.
Individual preparation: All participants are expected to spend 2-3 hours reading their individual, confidential briefing instructions prior to the 3-day workshop. You will receive this information a week in advance.
Technical Briefing: Participants are required to attend or watch a recording of a technical briefing to be held on the Tuesday prior to the start of the workshop, from 5pm to 6pm EST to familiarize participants with the technical elements of the workshop and orient participants in the Red Horizon universe. This briefing will be recorded and attendance at the live event is not required for participation in the 3-day workshop.
Political or Military Briefing: Additionally, two specialized meetings will be held on the Thursday and Wednesday prior to Red Horizon, from 5pm to 6pm EST to introduce participants to other essential aspects of the exercise. Depending on your role assignment you will only attend one of these sessions. These briefings will be recorded and attendance at the live event is not required for participation in the 3-day workshop.
A precise schedule including breaks will be disseminated to participants prior to the start of the program.
4. What sort of coursework is required? Is there anything that I will need to prepare in advance?
Participants will receive reading related to their role assignment prior to the workshop. You must read over these materials prior to the beginning of the workshop.
5. What is the Red Horizon certificate of completion?
All participants who complete the full program will receive a “Certificate of Completion” granted by the Negotiation Task Force, Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University.
6. Is Red Horizon a part of a degree-granting program?
No.
7. Can I be granted Harvard University credits for this program?
No. (Exception: In future years, Harvard Extension School students might be able to obtain course credit if there is sufficient interest. )
8. When will I receive the program schedule?
The program outline is as follows: Friday, from 3pm - 9pm EST, Saturday, from 9am - 7pm, Sunday, from 10am - 3pm. The dates will be announced on this site once they are fixed, and a more detailed schedule will be sent to participants in advance of the workshop.
9. How often is Red Horizon offered?
Red Horizon is offered as an annual Executive Education program hosted on the Harvard University campus by the Negotiation Task Force of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies each December.
10. If I participated in Red Horizon in a previous year, will I still benefit from participating again?
The Red Horizon scenario content is updated every year to improve your experience. However, the learning objectives and broad picture remain the same. If you wish to participate in Red Horizon a second time, please contact our team at RedHorizon@fas.harvard.edu to inquire about the benefits of participation and the placement options available to you.
11. What is the expected attire for this program?
“Business casual” dress is recommended for the sessions on Friday and Sunday. Business casual is defined as skirts/pants, open-necked shirts or blouses, and sweaters. For Saturday, the recommended attired is “business formal.” Business formal is defined as jackets and ties, and similarly appropriate attire for women (which may also include jackets and ties).
REGISTRATION & PAYMENT
12. How do I apply? What are the admissions requirements?
All potential candidates are required to submit a short formal application that details professional background and interest in the program. You may apply to the program through this site once the application for Red Horizon 2022 opens.
13. How long does it take to complete my application?
No more than 15 minutes.
14. When can I expect to receive an admissions decision?
There are multiple program deadlines. Upon these deadlines, our team will review your application and release your admissions decision to you via email in the following days. Candidates may be “accepted,” “rejected,” or “waitlisted” to the program. Accepted participants will be given 10 business days to complete registration and payment. Waitlisted participants will be informed of a final decision at the following application deadline.
15. Is there any advantage to registering early?
Yes! Participants who register early may be able to take advantage of a lower ticket price. Early registrants will also be eligible to take advantage of certain for-purchase add-on options.
16. Is this program open to participants from outside the U.S.?
Yes. Participants have attended Red Horizon from around the globe; in fact, many of our participants come from outside the U.S.
17. Do you offer group discounts?
Yes! Please contact our team by phone at +1-617-496-2180 or by email RedHorizon@fas.harvard.edu to inquire about group rates.
18. Are there discounts available for students and other groups?
Yes! There are a limited amount of discounts available for students and certain groups. Please note that these rates are extremely limited and will only be available until sold out. To find out more about discounts and special rates, please email RedHorizon@fas.harvard.edu.
19. What if I register but can no longer attend the event? What is the refund policy?
Cancellation of participation will incur a fee anytime after payment and a portion of the cost of my ticket will be retained by the host. A detailed cancellation policy will be published when the exact dates for Red Horizon 2022 are fixed.
20. What is included in the program fee? What exactly are the add-ons?
The program fee includes your program tuition for the three days as well as your electronic certificate of completion.
Optional for-purchase add-ons include:
Hard-Copy Briefing Packet — $75 (including shipping)*: Each Red Horizon participant receives an electronic folder filled with general briefing information on the Red Horizon scenario and confidential instructions related to the role assignment. Hard-copy versions of this briefing packet can be shipped to participants. Each hard-copy briefing packet includes a folder, all briefing documents, and customized access badges, name tags, and tent cards. Deadline: must register at least 1 month before the start of the workshop.
Hard-Copy Certificate of Participation — $35 (including shipping)*: Each Red Horizon participant receives an electronic Certificate of Participation issued by the Negotiation Task Force, Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University. Hard-copy versions of the Certificate can be shipped to participants.
Negotiation Performance Assessment — $95: Receive feedback on your Red Horizon negotiation performance. This detailed assessment will contain information on your negotiation behavior from your Red Horizon negotiation partners and can be used to enhance your understanding of how others perceive you as a negotiator and improve your awareness of your negotiation strengths and weaknesses.
Strategic Negotiation Briefing — $195: Join this small group Zoom briefing on the Tuesday prior to the start of the workshop, from 5pm - 6pm EST on advanced negotiation strategies and techniques led by the NTF Director, Dr. Arvid Bell, to help prepare you for the Red Horizon exercise. This event is limited to no more than 10 participants. This session will not be recorded.
*Orders can only be shipped to addresses within the 48 contiguous United States, excluding P.O. boxes.
21. When is payment due?
Once accepted, payment is due upon registration through our payment portal.
22. Is financial aid available?
No. Financial assistance is not available for the Red Horizon program.
23. If I can’t make the program, can I send someone in my place?
If you can no longer attend, this option is not automatically guaranteed, but it may be possible in some cases. Please contact us at +1-617-496-2180 or RedHorizon@fas.harvard.edu to inquire about your options.
24. What if I have to miss a portion of the program?
To receive a program certificate of completion, you must attend the entire program.
25. Will this event be recorded?
No. No part of this event will be recorded.
TECHNOLOGY
26. Is any special tech or computer software required to participate? For example, do I need a webcam?
Participants will be supplied with a Red Horizon Gmail account in advance of the exercise. All email correspondence during the exercise will be conducted through this account. Participants may also be required to access Zoom at points during the program. If you do not have a Zoom account, you may make one for free at Zoom.us. Participants are expected to participate in video Zoom calls during the exercise and workshop if it is held virtually.
Certain accommodations may be made for those with disabilities. Please contact our team at +1-617-496-2180 or RedHorizon@fas.harvard.edu to inquire.
POLICIES
27. How does the COVID-19 pandemic affect this event?
We expect to offer Red Horizon 2022 as an in-person program held on the Harvard University campus. However, in 2020 and 2021 the workshop was successfully conducted online without technical problems and with overwhelmingly positive participant feedback. In the unlikely event of cancellation participants will be notified and granted a full refund.
28. Attendance
Participants are admitted on the understanding that they will devote their full time to the program. Accordingly, full attendance is required to receive the Certificate of Completion.
29. Media
All participants will have the option to consent or decline to authorize Harvard to record your participation through photograph or video.
30. Accessibility
The Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact us at 617-495-4037 or daviscenter@fas.harvard.edu in advance of your participation. Requests for Sign Language interpreters and/or CART providers should be made at least two weeks in advance if possible. Please note that the Davis Center will make every effort to secure services but that services are subject to availability.
