Friends of stars Meeting
Disruptions all-over: Business Risks in a World of Uncertainty and Insecurity
John R. ALLEN, Strategic Advisor, Microsoft; Four-Star General (Ret.), United States Marine Corps; Former Commander, Nato International Security Assitance Force (ISAF) and US Forces in Afghanistan; Former Special Presidential Envoy, Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State; Member, stars Global Advisory Panel, Washington DC, United States
19 September 2025, 11.30-14.00 
Wolfsberg, Ermatingen

In a world of disruptions all-over a forward-looking tracking of geopolitical, geoeconomic, and geotechnological dynamics is needed. John R. Allen will speak about these developments, about the impact of AI on economic and security issues and give some orientation in a crazy and chaotic world.  

The format will be as follows:

  • 11.30: Welcome Drinks
  • 12.00: Welcome Address by Toni Schoenenberger, Founder and Executive Chairman of stars
    Disruptions all-over: Business Risks in a World of Uncertainty and Insecurity by John R. ALLEN
  • 13.15: Concluding Remarks by Björn Wäspe, CEO, Wolfsberg UBS Center for Education and Dialogue, Ermatingen
  • 13.20: Flying Lunch 
  • 14.15: End of meeting

Location: Wolfsberg, Wolfsbergstrasse 15, 8272 Ermatingen

You are most welcome to bring along one person who is interested in becoming a Friend of stars. Please, invite him/her directly and confirm it to us.

stars thanks UBS Switzerland AG and Wolfsberg – UBS Center for Education and Dialogue for sponsoring this event.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,
Toni Schoenenberger
Founder and Executive Chairman

CV John R. Allen:

Strategic Advisor, Microsoft; Four-Star General (Ret.), United States Marine Corps; Former Commander, Nato International Security Assitance Force (ISAF) and US Forces in Afghanistan; Former Special Presidential Envoy, Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State, Washington DC, United States

John R. Allen, a retired U.S. Marine Corps four-star general, held significant leadership roles both in the military and in diplomatic missions. Notably, he commanded the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during its peak troop deployment. Following retirement, he served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense on Middle East Security, leading discussions within the Middle East peace process. At the behest of President Obama, he later served as Special Presidential Envoy to the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, significantly expanding the coalition to 65 members.

Allen’s military career includes commanding NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, making him the first Marine Corps general officer to lead a theater of war. He played pivotal roles in various operations, including combat in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, where he supported the emergence of the tribal “Awakening movement” against Al Qaeda. He also served as Deputy Commander of the U.S. Central Command and as principal director of Asia-Pacific policy at the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Beyond his military service, Allen is a Strategic Advisor to Microsoft, a Senior Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is a permanent member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and serves on the US Naval Academy’s Board of Visitors, appointed by President Biden. Allen was President of The Brookings Institution for nearly five years, during which time he co-authored several books, including “Turning Point: Policymaking in the Era of Artificial Intelligence” and “Future War and the Defence of Europe.” He coined the term “hyperwar” and holds multiple AI-related patents while advising various tech startups.

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