Pathfinder: A National Security Essay Contest
Pathfinder, run by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and Breaking Defense, is a writing competition for graduate students and early-career professionals. Responding to a prompt, authors should analyze a national security challenge and suggest a way to address it in 800–1,000 words. This competition will give the next generation of national security leaders an opportunity to have their writing and analysis published and promoted by both CNAS and Breaking Defense.
Applications for the next cycle will open in fall 2026. Check back here for more details.
2025 Pathfinder Winners
Commentary
An Overlooked National Security Challenge: Maritime Supply Chain Security
In recent years, U.S. policymakers have paid increasing attention to the vulnerabilities of supply chains, especially in terms of securing access to critical minerals. Yet the...
Commentary
Securing America’s Grid Through Transformers and Workforce Resilience
Cyber threats to America’s electricity grid are real and intensifying, and policymakers discussing grid security often focus solely on them. However, the US electric grid has ...
Commentary
Vertical Integration of Rare Earth Elements for U.S. Autonomous Dominion
America’s national security is imperiled by its dependence on China for the rare earth elements (REEs) essential to artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and preci...
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Pathfinder 2025
Pathfinder, run by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and Breaking Defense, is a writing competition for graduate students and early-career professionals. Respondin...
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