Featured Reports
Stuck in the Cul-de-Sac
Carlton Haelig, Philip Sheers | October 21, 2025
Countering the Digital Silk Road
Vivek Chilukuri, Ruby Scanlon | October 15, 2025
Tipping the Scales
Caleb Withers | September 23, 2025
Countering the Swarm
Stacie Pettyjohn, Molly Campbell | September 10, 2025
Defense
Stuck in the Cul-de-Sac
For more than a decade, the United States has sought to modernize its military to deter China, but it has become stuck in a developmental cul-de-sac that has allowed China to ...
Technology & National Security
Countering the Digital Silk Road
The year 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Digital Silk Road (DSR), China’s effort to strengthen its global ties and influence through technology. In the decade since the...
Technology & National Security
Tipping the Scales
This report examines how emerging AI capabilities could disrupt the cyber offense-defense balance....
Defense
Countering the Swarm
After decades of air dominance and a near monopoly on precision strike, the United States now faces a dramatically different, more hostile world as the proliferation of cheap ...
AMERICA'S EDGE
The United States faces a rapidly changing global security landscape. Evolving technology, shifting alliances, and emerging threats require America to harness bold, innovative approaches. The CNAS 2025 national security conference, America’s Edge: Forging the Future, will bring together bipartisan leaders, policymakers, and industry to chart a vision for enhancing America’s global edge.
Event
CNAS 2025 National Security Conference | America's Edge: Forging the Future
Jun 3, 2025
The First 100 Days
The First 100 Days is a series of recommendations from CNAS experts. The recommendations span the most pressing issues that will test the administration, including competition...
Global Swing States
Global Swing States and the New Great Power Competition
International politics is undergoing a period of rapid, significant change. China and Russia are working together more closely and alongside Iran and North Korea...
Press
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PIF-Backed Takeover of Electronic Arts Tests U.S. Security Regime
In The News
The $55bn Saudi-backed takeover of US gaming giant Electronic Arts has sparked concerns that the US’s investment screening watchdog isn’t in a position to tackle the full brea...
By Geoffrey Gertz
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China’s Shadow Navy Trains to Take Taiwan
In The News
China is mobilizing an armada of civilian ships that could help in an invasion of Taiwan – a mission that could surpass the Second World War’s Normandy landings....
By CDR Thomas Shugart, USN
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Chinese Use of Claude AI for Hacking Will Drive Demand for AI Cyber Defense, Say Experts
In The News
In the wake of a report accusing China of using publicly available AI tech to launch cyberattacks, experts are warning cyber defenders they’re going to need some AI help of th...
By Josh Wallin & Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan
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How Trump’s Saudi F-35 deal could alter Mideast balance of power
In The News
President Trump’s deal to allow the sale of F-35 advanced fighter jets to Saudi Arabia has the potential to alter the military balance of power in the Middle East....
By Adham Sahloul
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In The News
Technology & National Security
New Army Unit Seeks to Disrupt ‘Malign Influence’ in Indo-PacificThe U.S. Army earlier this month activated a new unit aimed at “disrupting malign influence” in the Indo-Pacific region, bringing information operations into the conventional ...
By Anthony Vinci
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Chinese Use of Claude AI for Hacking Will Drive Demand for AI Cyber Defense, Say Experts
In the wake of a report accusing China of using publicly available AI tech to launch cyberattacks, experts are warning cyber defenders they’re going to need some AI help of th...
By Josh Wallin & Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan
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China’s Shadow Navy Trains to Take Taiwan
By CDR Thomas Shugart, USN
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From Florist to Drone Maker: How the Weapon Became So Mainstream
By Stacie Pettyjohn
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Chinese Use of Claude AI for Hacking Will Drive Demand for AI Cyber Defense, Say Experts
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Indo-Pacific Security / Technology & National Security
Sharper: Tech + ChinaRecent talks between President Donald Trump and Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping placed a spotlight on emerging technologies, from high-end chips to minera...
By Charles Horn & Sevi Silvia
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Thailand–Cambodia Border Agreement on Shaky Ground
By Ryan Claffey
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Indo-Pacific Security / Transatlantic Security
Why the U.S. Should Unlock Allied CooperationBy Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend
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National Security Human Capital Program
Military Influencers Are Going Viral, and the Pentagon’s Social Media Rules Aren’t Keeping UpTop military influencers are taking over corners of social media — and it's opening a can of ethical worms for the Pentagon....
By Dr. Jason Dempsey
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National Security Human Capital Program
Airmen and Space Force guardians will be extended for 60 days due to shutdownBy Katherine L. Kuzminski
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National Security Human Capital Program
Army Extends Contract for Soldiers Nearing End of Service Due to ShutdownBy Katherine L. Kuzminski
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Credibility and Capability: The Future of Nuclear Stability
Over the last month, nuclear tensions have been heating up. In late October, Vladimir Putin claimed two achievements: the successful test of a nuclear-powered missile known as...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Jim Townsend & Jon B. Wolfsthal
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Australia Bows Out of COP31 Bid
By Jim Townsend
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Indo-Pacific Security / Transatlantic Security
Why the U.S. Should Unlock Allied CooperationBy Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend
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Credibility and Capability: The Future of Nuclear Stability
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Oil Falls After Ukraine Says It Will Work on Draft Peace Plan
Oil fell after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he agreed to work on a peace plan drafted by the US and Russia aimed at ending the war in Ukraine....
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How Trump’s Saudi F-35 deal could alter Mideast balance of power
By Adham Sahloul
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Trump to Welcome Saudi Crown Prince to White House as Ties Deepen
By Rachel Ziemba
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Oil Falls After Ukraine Says It Will Work on Draft Peace Plan
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PIF-Backed Takeover of Electronic Arts Tests U.S. Security Regime
The $55bn Saudi-backed takeover of US gaming giant Electronic Arts has sparked concerns that the US’s investment screening watchdog isn’t in a position to tackle the full brea...
By Geoffrey Gertz
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How America Fell Behind in the Rare-Earth Race—and How It Hopes to Come Back
By Emily Kilcrease
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The Real Impact of SCOTUS's Tariff Hearing with Kathleen Claussen
By Emily Kilcrease & Geoffrey Gertz
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PIF-Backed Takeover of Electronic Arts Tests U.S. Security Regime
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Technology & National Security
Prepared, Not ParalyzedExecutive Summary The Trump administration has embraced a pro-innovation approach to artificial intelligence (AI) policy. Its AI Action Plan, released July 2025, underscores t...
By Janet Egan, Spencer Michaels & Caleb Withers
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Indo-Pacific Security / Technology & National Security
Sharper: Tech + ChinaBy Charles Horn & Sevi Silvia
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Technology & National Security
New Army Unit Seeks to Disrupt ‘Malign Influence’ in Indo-PacificBy Anthony Vinci
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Securing U.S. Democracy Initiative
U.K. Suspends Intelligence Sharing with U.S.Center for a New American Security senior fellow and general counsel Carrie Cordero spoke to CNN about the United Kingdom's suspension of some intelligence sharing with the Un...
By Carrie Cordero
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Securing U.S. Democracy Initiative
In the Trump Era, Cheney’s Brand of Conservatism Became ObsoleteBy Richard Fontaine
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Securing U.S. Democracy Initiative
Trump Admin Faces Deep Skepticism from Supreme Court on TariffsBy Carrie Cordero
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Losing the Swing States
The United States has strained its relations with friendly BRICS members....
By Richard Fontaine & Gibbs McKinley
- New CNAS Report Argues Six “Global Swing States” Will Shape the New Great Power Competition
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Global Swing States and the New Great Power Competition
By Richard Fontaine & Gibbs McKinley
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Losing the Swing States
