Center for a New American Security (CNAS)

Donald Trump's return to the White House is widely expected to reshape America's global priorities. With personnel choices and policy agendas that mark a significant break from the status quo, the Trump administration could redefine America's national security posture. CNAS experts are sharpening the conversation on what Trump’s appointments and policies mean for the future of the country.

"The Biden administration never put forward a plausible vision for ending the war. But it can help Trump’s worthwhile peace efforts by taking long-overdue steps that would strengthen Trump’s hand at the negotiating table." Read more from Eddie Fishman in The Washington Post:

Waltz takes a “more expansive view” of America’s role in the world than other Republicans, said Richard Fontaine, chief executive at the Center for a New American Security think tank. “There had been worry among some in the foreign policy community that Trump’s penchant for making deals and his personal chumminess with Xi Jinping would lead to some relaxation in the American position vis-a-vis China,” he said. But to gauge by his potential picks, “you can imagine a continuity in terms of the overall hawkish disposition toward China, and maybe some augmentation of that.” Waltz has argued that Trump should aim to end the war in Ukraine, which Fontaine said he hoped did not mean walking away. “If you’re inclined to somehow abandon Ukraine,” he said, “that doesn’t just give Russia a win, it gives North Korea a win, it gives Iran a win, and it gives China a win.”

We submitted a response to the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)'s request for comment on data center growth, resilience and security. Getting this right is essential for US AI leadership and safe and secure AI development. We recommend the USG take action to address energy bottlenecks, co-design more rigorous security standards with the private-sector and international partners, incentivize R&D on hardware-enabled security and governance mechanisms, and promote competition across the AI technology stack. You can read our response here: https://lnkd.in/gDyn7ie7 Great to work with Center for a New American Security (CNAS) experts Grace Park, Geoffrey Gertz, and Caleb Withers on this response.

Listen to the latest episode of Derisky Business on Trump 2.0's economic security agenda. Emily Kilcrease and Geoffrey Gertz break down how policy and personnel could impact and reshape economic ties with adversaries and allies.

"For Russia and China, Central Asia is also likely to be an important building block in their larger counterorder-building effort. The two countries are likely to sustain—and step up—their efforts to build an alternative order in Central Asia, including by deepening cooperation and broadening the number of countries participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to legitimize and demonstrate the benefits of their collective global leadership." Read the full report from Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Lisa Curtis, Kate Johnston, and Nathaniel Schochet.

Central Asia has become a critical domain for understanding the evolving Russia-China relationship, CNAS experts write in a new report on the region, "Russia and China in Central Asia: Cooperate, Compete, or De-conflict?" To discuss the report, authors Lisa Curtis and Andrea Kendall-Taylor were joined by Donald Lu, assistant secretary of state, south and central asian affairs, for a conversation on highlighting the report's findings and recommendations. The conversation was moderated by Katie Stallard. Watch the event and find the report here: https://lnkd.in/ee4vcde6

Meet the CNAS Middle East Security Team!? ? The MES Program examines the choices facing U.S. security in the Middle East, analyzes regional security dynamics, and provides recommendations aimed at advancing stability and security in the region. Their current research includes Iran's role in the Axis of Upheaval, Israel and Middle East regional security architecture, and more.?? ? Learn more about the Middle East Security Program here!? https://lnkd.in/eAuAaFpi

Join CNAS on Tuesday, November 12, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET for a discussion addressing how Russia-China relations could evolve in the future, exploring potential areas of both greater coordination and friction, which will be the focus of a forthcoming CNAS report. The event will feature Ambassador Donald Lu, U.S. assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, and report authors Lisa Curtis, senior fellow and director of the Indo-pacific Security Program, and Andrea Kendall-Taylor, senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program. For more information visit: https://lnkd.in/ee4vcde6

"The United States’ long-standing supremacy in quantum technology—a bedrock of U.S. economic and national security—is in peril at an important inflection point. Quantum technologies are rapidly nearing market readiness and U.S. adversaries are more determined than ever to beat the United States to the quantum punch. But the change in administration presents a unique opportunity to reassert American leadership in quantum and shape a brighter future. The incoming Trump Administration can seize the moment by fully resourcing the Tech Hubs Program, passing the NQI reauthorization, and leveraging the power of the United States’ alliances." Read more from Sam Howell in Just Security: