AthenaLab participates in significant security and defense forums in Chile and abroad.

This week, AthenaLab engaged in an intensive national and international agenda in discussion spaces on security, defense, and international relations both in Chile and overseas.

In London, a delegation consisting of John Griffiths, Ignacio Mardones, and Alejandro Amigo participated in the Land Warfare Conference 2026, organized by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), one of the leading defense and security think tanks in the world. The conference brought together authorities, representatives from the Armed Forces, industry, and specialists to analyze the evolution of land warfare, the transformation of armies, and the lessons learned from contemporary conflicts. During this visit, Alejandro Amigo also held meetings with various British institutions, including the Henry Jackson Society, where he met with Dr. John Hemmings, director of the National Security Centre, to learn about the process of evaluating the United Kingdom’s strategic capabilities and to exchange experiences on strategic analysis methodologies.

Additionally, John Griffiths and Ignacio Mardones participated in the International Security Seminar: Adapting Defence in Latin America and Chile: Deterrence, Modernisation and Strategic Resilience, also organized by RUSI. The meeting addressed the challenges facing defense in Latin America in an increasingly complex strategic environment, with a particular focus on deterrence, modernization of capabilities, and strengthening strategic resilience.

In Chile, AthenaLab, together with the School of Government at Universidad Autónoma, held a new edition of Public Dialogues 2026: “Evolution of Organized Crime in Mexico: Lessons for Chile”, dedicated to analyzing the evolution of organized crime in Mexico and the lessons that experience offers for Chile. The event featured Diego Sazo, head of International Affairs Research at AthenaLab, along with prominent specialists who reflected on the challenges posed by transnational organized crime and the need to strengthen state capacities to confront it.

During the week, Juan Pablo Toro, Senior Research Fellow at AthenaLab, also participated in the discussion “How to Face Uncertainty and Volatility: Current Geopolitics and Its Implications for Chile”, organized by the Public Studies Center (CEP). The event included participation from Evan Medeiros, an academic at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, and was moderated by Macarena Lescornez, director of Communications at CEP. The meeting addressed the main changes in the international geopolitical landscape and their implications for Chile’s foreign and strategic policy.

On another note, Marcelo Masalleras, director of Research and Development at AthenaLab, is currently in Taiwan participating in the National Development Course for Senior Officers, an international program taking place from June 21 to July 1. This program brings together senior officials and representatives from various countries to deepen their understanding of strategy, security, national development, and international cooperation, strengthening the exchange of experiences and collaborative networks.