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 with
General B.B. Bell
Commander of United States Forces Korea
Monday, January 28, 2008
8:00 AM-8:30 AM ♦ Registration and Breakfast
8:30 AM-9:30 AM ♦ Presentation and Q&A
The Korea Society, 950 Third Avenue, Eighth Floor, New York City
(Building entrance on SW corner of Third Avenue and 57th Street)
East Asia is a region of extraordinary opportunities and challenges. The U.S.–ROK alliance, one of seven U.S. mutual defense treaties, has been and should continue to be a cornerstone of America’s security posture in the region. However, many in both the U.S. and Korea still view the alliance as a legacy wartime arrangement useful only until a permanent peace treaty can be put in place on the peninsula. At that point, the argument goes, American troops should be brought home.
 This argument is flawed. Both nations have an opportunity to look beyond the one-dimensional, albeit evolving, situation with North Korea, and explore the establishment of a long-term bilateral partnership based on a shared interest in working together to deal with East Asia’s opportunities, complexities and challenges. If we do this, our two vibrant democracies can contribute significantly to East Asian regional, and global, stability and security for decades to come.
About the Presenter
General B.B. Bell is the commander of United States Forces Korea.
Commissioned as a distinguished military graduate in 1969, Bell has held command positions with the 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 24th Infantry Division; the 1st Infantry Division as well as the Army’s Armor Center and III Corps. Prior to taking command of United States Forces Korea, Bell commanded the United States Army Europe and led NATO’s Allied Land Component Command.
During operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Bell deployed as USCINCCENT's executive officer. During Operation Joint Endeavor in the Balkans, he served as chief of staff as USAREUR forward headquarters in Taszar, Hungary. Bell also served as a senior military fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York in 1994 and has since been selected as one of the Council’s serving members.
Bell’s decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army Commendation Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters.
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