Military Reporters & Editors Conference
Date
Friday
November 13, 2025
Location
Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism’s DC Newsroom in the Washington Post Building
1301 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Preliminary Agenda*
2026 MRE Conference
Special Guest: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore
A Fireside Chat with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore: Military Service, National Security and Leadership
Time to be finalized and announced. Please revisit this page for scheduling updates.
8:30 – 9:00
Coffee and Networking
Start the day with coffee and conversation with fellow military and national security journalists.
9:00 – 9:05
Welcome Remarks
Jen Judson, President, Military Reporters & Editors
9:10 – 9:55
Journalist Keynote Fireside Chat
A Conversation with CNN’s Brianna Keilar
Featured Speaker: Brianna Keilar, CNN Anchor and Correspondent
Moderator: Haley Britzky
From covering the Pentagon and Washington’s corridors of power to telling the stories of military families, Brianna Keilar has spent years reporting on the people and policies shaping America’s national security. Join her for a candid conversation about the challenges of covering the military, navigating today’s turbulent media environment and the enduring importance of independent journalism.
10:10 – 10:55
The Battle for Independent Military Journalism
Panelists: Erik Slavin (former Stars & Stripes Editor-in-Chief), Steve Beynon (ABC News, National Security Reporter), Mallory Shelbourne (USNI News reporter and deputy editor), Kevin Knodell (Honolulu Star-Advertiser).
Moderator: Steve Walsh
Military journalism is facing a pivotal moment. Newsroom cuts, ownership changes, pressure on editorial independence and shifting relationships with the Pentagon are transforming how the military is covered. From upheaval at Military.com to questions about the independence of Stars and Stripes and the challenges facing local and specialized defense outlets, this panel examines what’s at stake for journalists — and for the service members and families who depend on their reporting.
11:10 – 11:55
Ukraine at a Crossroads: War, Washington and What Comes Next
Featured Speaker: Denys Sienik, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Ukraine
Moderator: Carla Babb
As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, questions about American support, diplomatic negotiations and the future of European security loom large. Ukraine’s senior diplomat in Washington joins MRE for a conversation about the battlefield, the shifting political landscape in Washington, Ukraine’s defense needs and what comes next for the war.
12:10
LUNCH
1:00 – 1:45
Beyond the Briefing Room: Why Reporting From War Zones Still Matters
Panelists: Alex Horton (The Washington Post), Courtney Kube (NBC News) and retired Army Col. Steve Warren (NBC News Contributor)
Moderator: Haley Britzky
What can journalists learn on the front lines that they can’t get from a Pentagon briefing? Veteran reporters and military experts discuss the risks, rewards and realities of covering war firsthand. From embedding with troops to navigating military restrictions and reporting under fire, this conversation explores why eyewitness journalism remains essential and what is lost when reporters can’t get to the battlefield.
2:00 – 2:45
Iran and the Next War: Strategy, Stakes and Consequences
Panelists: Robert Wilkie, Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Frank Kendall, Former Secretary of the Air Force, Behnam Ben Taleblu (Senior Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Iran Program)
Moderator: Carla Babb
What has the conflict with Iran revealed about American military power, and what lessons will shape the next war? Former senior defense officials and experts examine the strategic consequences of the conflict, the performance of U.S. military capabilities, the demands on America’s defense industrial base and the implications for future military operations in the Middle East and beyond.
3:00 – 3:45
Digital Detectives: Using Open-Source Intelligence to Cover Modern Warfare
Panelists: George Barros, Director of Innovation and Open Source Tradecraft, Institute for the Study of War; Geoff Brumfiel, Senior Editor and Correspondent, NPR
Moderator: Steve Walsh
Satellite imagery, social media videos, geolocation tools and publicly available data are transforming how journalists investigate conflicts. Learn how experts use open-source intelligence to track military movements, verify battlefield claims and uncover stories governments may prefer to keep hidden. This practical session will explore tools, techniques and ethical considerations for reporters looking to strengthen their investigative skills.
4:00 – 4:45
A Conversation With Military Public Affairs Leaders
Off-the-Record Session
Panelists: Brig. Gen. Scott Wilkinson, Chief of Army Public Affairs; Col. Anton “Tony” Semelroth, Deputy Director of Marine Corps Public Affairs; Capt. Timothy Balunis, Chief of Coast Guard Public Affairs
What happens behind the scenes when journalists seek answers from the military? Senior public affairs leaders from across the services join MRE for an off-the-record discussion about transparency, access, the challenges of communicating during crises and the sometimes complicated relationship between the military and the journalists who cover it.
5:00 – 5:30
MRE Journalism Awards Presentation
Presented by Jen Judson, President, Military Reporters & Editors
Celebrate excellence in military and national security journalism as MRE recognizes outstanding reporting that informs the public, holds institutions accountable and tells the stories of those who serve.
5:30 – 6:00
Networking Mixer
Reconnect with colleagues, meet fellow reporters and continue the day’s conversations.
*Agenda and speakers are subject to change. Additional details, including the time of Gov. Wes Moore’s fireside chat, will be announced soon.
7:00 p.m.
After Conference Option
The Combat Correspondent’s Dinner
The dinner will be at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20045. Prix Fixe Dinner $45 (not including drinks, taxes, tip).
Updated 11/9/2026 7:30 pm EST