September 04, 2025
Sharper: Quantum
In the 21st century, the countries with the most advanced quantum technologies could have the most advanced weapons systems, pharmaceuticals, weather forecasting, and clean energy capabilities. In this edition of Sharper, CNAS experts unpack why quantum leadership is a critical component of America's competitiveness and strategic success in the years ahead.
Features:
Report | Atomic Advantage: Accelerating U.S. Quantum Sensing for Next-Generation Positioning, Navigation, and Timing
Quantum sensors offer a transformative opportunity not only to safeguard U.S. positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities against evolving threats but also to advance America’s broader technological ambitions. The United States stands at a pivotal juncture: With decisive, coordinated action, it can leapfrog adversaries by moving quantum sensing innovations rapidly from the lab to operational deployment. By adopting the recommendations of this report from Constanza Vidal Bustamente, policymakers can ultimately ensure that America’s leadership in quantum technologies endures—bringing substantial benefits to national security and long-term economic competitiveness in the emerging quantum era.
Watch It Again | Advancing America’s Quantum Leadership with Next-Generation Sensors
On Wednesday, August 27, CNAS hosted leading practitioners and policymakers to explore quantum sensors’ transformative potential across defense and commercial sectors. The panel discussed existing bottlenecks, the policy levers needed to accelerate U.S. development and adoption, as well as how early successes in sensing can catalyze advances in quantum supply chains and computing—sharpening America’s global quantum edge.
Report | The Quest for Qubits: Assessing U.S.-China Competition in Quantum Computing
Quantum technologies, with their unparalleled speed and processing power, could unlock transformative innovations in a range of industries, from energy and agriculture to medicine and finance. At the same time, however, irresponsible actors could use quantum technologies to break encryption, enable mass surveillance, and design new weapons systems. This report from Sam Howell finds that global advancements in quantum technology have profound implications for U.S. economic and national security. The United States needs a long-term strategy to boost its competitiveness in quantum technology and ensure that the technology develops in alignment with U.S. values and interests.
Technology & National Security
Atomic Advantage
Executive Summary One of the most consequential national security contests now unfolds on battlefields invisible to the naked eye—across the faint radiofrequency signals of th...
Technology & National Security
Virtual Event | Advancing America’s Quantum Leadership with Next-Generation Sensors
Aug 27, 2025
Technology & National Security
The Quest for Qubits
The United Nations General Assembly recently declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Quantum information science, a field once exclusive to aca...
Commentary
Featuring insight and analysis from Constanza Vidal Bustamente and Sam Howell
Technology & National Security
Accelerate America’s Quantum Technology Leadership
As the U.S.-China competition for quantum technology leadership continues to intensify, the Trump administration should prioritize both advancing and protecting the country’s ...
Technology & National Security
Secure America’s Tech Competitiveness
The Trump administration must bolster America’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce and broader technological competitiveness—documented shortag...
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