CNAS Launches New Project on "Extending American Power: Strategies to Expand U.S. Engagement in a Competitive World Order"

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) today announced the launch of a new project: “Extending American Power: Strategies to Expand U.S. Engagement in a Competitive World Order.” The project will bring together a bipartisan group of foreign policy and defense luminaries to forge a new vision of America’s role in the world. Participants will generate new thinking and collaboration that will help shape the national conversation on America’s global role in the run-up to the presidential election in 2016.

“It is no secret that we live in a time of unprecedented partisan rancor,” said Hon. Kurt Campbell, Chair of CNAS’ Board of Directors. “We have designed this new project to rise above partisanship by bringing together the most respected experts on both sides of the aisle to forge a bipartisan consensus on U.S. engagement in the world.”

“This project is designed to shift the dialogue in Washington,” said Julianne Smith, director of the project and CNAS’ Strategy and Statecraft Program. “This group intends to challenge those arguing for retrenchment and examine the costs of a minimalist approach to American engagement in the world.” 

Participants in the project include former Cabinet-level secretaries and deputy secretaries, a former member of Congress, and a former National Security Advisor. Dr. Robert Kagan and Hon. James P. Rubin will serve as co-chairs. The list of participants includes:

• Madeleine Albright
• Steve Biegun
• Bill Burns
• Kurt Campbell
• Richard Danzig
• Eric Edelman
• Michèle Flournoy
• Richard Fontaine
• Stephen Hadley
• Jane Harman
• David Ignatius
• Robert Kagan (Co-Chair)
• Leo Mackay
• James P. Rubin (Co-Chair)
• Julianne Smith
• Jim Steinberg
• Jake Sullivan
• Margaret Warner
• Robert Zoellick

“There is no task more important than rebuilding a national consensus on America’s role in the world and how best to use our power to protect our interests and advance our values. CNAS is pleased to bring together such an experienced, insightful and committed group of people to tackle this critical issue,” said CNAS Chief Executive Officer Michèle Flournoy added. “I am eager to see the group’s recommendations and expect they will have a deep impact upon the foreign policy and defense conversation in Washington and beyond.”