EVENT RECAP: Roundtable with Col. Corey Trusty, U.S. Space Force
Roundtable with Col. Corey Trusty, U.S. Space Force
With Corey L. Trusty
Moderated by Susan Elliott
March 5, 2026
Written by Robert Mugno
On March 5th, 2026, the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) held an in-person roundtable with Space Force Colonel and Council on Foreign Relations Military Fellow Corey L. Trusty in New York City. During the conversation, participants engaged in insightful discussions surrounding Space Defense issues, priorities and its intersection with U.S. National Security.
In their conversation, they explored how space has rapidly evolved from a distant and largely scientific domain into a critical arena of strategic competition and national security. The discussion emphasized that modern military operations increasingly rely on space-based infrastructure for communications, intelligence, surveillance, and targeting, making the protection of these systems essential to maintaining deterrence and advantage. Participants noted that strategic competitors such as China and Russia are actively developing counterspace capabilities, which include anti-satellite weapons, directed-energy systems, and cyber tools to challenge U.S. dominance in orbit.
The discussion also emphasized how the United States is responding by strengthening the role of the U.S. Space Force, whose mission is to organize, train, and equip forces to operate in the space domain while ensuring the continued accessibility and resilience of critical space systems. Special attention was given to the growing integration of commercial partners, which now launch rockets, provide satellite imagery, and build key infrastructure supporting space operations. In this environment, deterrence increasingly relies on building resilient networks, expanding partnerships with allies, and integrating capabilities across land, sea, air, cyber, and space to maintain strategic stability in an increasingly contested domain.
By convening experienced leaders, strategic thinkers, innovators, and investors, the discussion examined emerging challenges and developments shaping the space domain. Ambassador Susan Elliott, CEO and President of the NCAFP, moderated this informative conversation and facilitated the questions from the roundtable participants.
We are grateful to our distinguished participants for their thoughtful engagement and contributions. This program was part of the George D. Schwab Policy Briefing series.
Image: Propelling Satellites into Space, spaceforce.mil
Col. Trusty giving an introduction about US Space Force.
Col. Corey Trusty, U.S. Space Force.
Amb. Elliott speaking with guests.
Col. Trusty answering participants' questions.
Col.Trusty and Amb. Elliott in conversation after the event.
Col. Trusty and Amb. Elliott with NCAFP members and staff.
Featured Speakers:
Colonel Corey L. Trusty, U.S. Space Force, is a Military Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Colonel Trusty most recently served as the military deputy, international affairs space division, at the Pentagon. Colonel Trusty currently creates, advocates for, and facilitates Department of the Air Force and U.S. Space Force space security cooperation policies and programs that advance U.S. national security objectives through political-military affairs, cooperative research and development, acquisition, and foreign military sales. Those policies and programs enable access to information, systems, education, and training that deliver enhanced operational capabilities to allies, partners, and coalition warfighters.
Colonel Trusty was commissioned as a second lieutenant in June 2004 with a master’s degree in public health from American Military University and a bachelor’s degree in biology and bioethics from Tuskegee University. He is a career space officer, but has diverse experience in ballistic missile early warning, space domain awareness, spacelift, space control, intelligence, cyber, nuclear deterrence operations and special operations. He has deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and International Security Assistance Force.
Ambassador (ret.) Susan M. Elliott is the President and CEO of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy. She is also an accomplished diplomat, having served for 27 years in a variety of leadership positions at the U.S. Department of State.
Ambassador Elliott was the U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan from 2012 to 2015. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. Her previous overseas assignments include Minister Counselor for Political Affairs in Moscow; Principal Officer in Belfast, Northern Ireland; Deputy Economic Counselor and Visa Section Chief in Athens, Greece. Among many other assignments.
Prior to leaving the State Department, Ambassador Elliott served as the Civilian Deputy and Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commander of the United States European Command. She also holds a PhD from Indiana University.
Mr. Robert Mugno is the Spring 2026 NCAFP Policy Intern. He is currently a student of History and Political Science at Columbia University.