RED HORIZON 2021
Force and Diplomacy in Eurasia
Join us for a virtual experience on the Harvard University campus
December 10-12, 2021
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 global crisis exercise incubated at 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
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 2021: Force & Diplomacy in Eurasia
December 10-12, 2021
Registration for Red Horizon 2021 is not yet open.
Please sign up for the Negotiation Task Force Insider and be first to hear about our Early Registration Specials.
See the FAQ or email us at RedHorizon@fas.harvard.edu if you have questions..
Our Expert Advisors
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
What is Red Horizon?
“Red Horizon: Force and Diplomacy in Eurasia” 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.
Is Red Horizon 2021 a virtual workshop or an in-person event on the Harvard campus?
This decision has not yet been made. Details will be announced when registration for Red Horizon 2021 opens.
What is the program schedule like?
Red Horizon is a three-day workshop (Friday-Sunday) with additional briefings and individual preparation scheduled prior to these three three days.
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. Participants are advised to read over these materials in advance.
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.
Is Red Horizon a part of a degree-granting program?
No.
Can I be granted Harvard University credits for this program?
No, with one exception: We are working on offering Red Horizon 2021 for credit to DCE students. Details will be announced when registration for Red Horizon 2021 opens.
When will I receive the program schedule?
Details will be announced when registration for Red Horizon 2021 opens.
How often is Red Horizon offered?
Red Horizon is offered as an annual program each December.
If I participated in Red Horizon on campus in a previous year, will I still benefit from participating in this virtual version?
The Red Horizon scenario content is updated every year to improve the user 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.
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 dress 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
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. Details will be announced when registration for Red Horizon 2021 opens.
How long does it take to complete my application?
No more than 30 minutes.
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. Details will be announced when registration for Red Horizon 2021 opens.
Is there any advantage to registering early?
Yes! Details will be announced when registration for Red Horizon 2021 opens.
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.
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.
Are there discounts available for students and other groups?
Yes! There are limited discounts available to certain groups. Click on the “Register Here” button on the Red Horizon homepage to learn more about the current rates being offered. Please note that these rates are extremely limited and will only be available until sold out.
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. Details will be announced when registration for Red Horizon 2021 opens.
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 will be announced when registration for Red Horizon 2021 opens.
When is payment due?
Once accepted, payment is due upon registration through our payment portal.
Is financial aid available?
No. Financial assistance is not available for the Red Horizon program.
If I can’t make the program, can I send someone in my place?
This option is not automatically guaranteed, but it may be possible in some cases. Details will be announced when registration for Red Horizon 2021 opens.
What if I have to miss a portion of the program?
To receive a program certificate of completion, you must attend the entire program.
Technology
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. Additional technological requirements exist. Details will be announced when registration for Red Horizon 2021 opens. 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.
Will this event be recorded?
All participants will have the option to consent or decline to authorize Harvard University to record your participation through photograph or video. These recordings will be for organizational and marketing purposes.
Policies
What are the cancellation policies for this event?
Cancellation of participation will incur a fee anytime after payment and a portion of the cost of your ticket will be retained by the host. Details will be announced when registration for Red Horizon 2021 opens.
How does the COVID-19 pandemic affect this event? Is there any chance that it will be cancelled?
We do not anticipate cancelling Red Horizon 2021. In the event of cancellation, registered participants will be notified and granted a full refund.
Attendance
Participants are admitted on the understanding that they will devote their full time to the program. Accordingly, full attendance throughout the 3-day program is required to receive the Certificate of Completion.
Media
All participants will have the option to consent or decline to authorize Harvard University to record your participation through photograph or video. These recordings will be for organizational and marketing purposes.
