Category: 100 Ideas for the first 100 days

#30: Prevent a Sino-Russian Alliance

By: Matthew Kroenig and Jeffrey Cimmino What is the kernel of the issue? In recent years, Russia and China have grown increasingly aligned, boosting economic, diplomatic, and military cooperation. Both countries share an aversion to democratic values and America’s global influence. Why is the issue important? The United States and its allies should be wary […]

#29: Reaffirm Congressional Oversight of Nation’s Wars

By Christopher Preble

By: Christopher Preble What is the kernel of the issue? Congress has neglected to exercise one of its most sacred obligations: oversight of the nation’s wars. The President has the authority to use force to repel invasion or stop other direct and imminent threats to US national security, but may not otherwise initiate the use […]

#28: Court Every-Day National Security Influencers

By: Christopher P. Mulder What is the kernel of the issue? National security and foreign policy are developed and influenced by a relatively small group of experts. Why is the issue important? Almost 25% of Americans believe in conspiracy theories and upwards of 60% distrust the media, and more disinformation is being promulgated across social […]

#27: Advance a Multilateral Security Architecture in the Indo-Pacific

By: Matthew Crouch and Clementine Starling What is the kernel of the issue? A rising and bellicose China is expanding economically and militarily as the United States and its allies face difficult resource allocation questions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Why is the issue important? As great-power competition heats up to become “extreme […]

#26: Blunt the Threat of Domestic Extremism

By: Jane Holl Lute What is the kernel of the issue? The rise of domestic extremism is no surprise to state and local law enforcement and public officials who for years have been on the front lines of combatting its expansion and excesses. Why is the issue important? As these groups have grown in size, […]

#25: Tear Down This (Fire)wall

By: Jeffrey Cimmino and Matthew Kroenig What is the kernel of the issue? The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is cracking down on human rights, enacting legislation to repress pro-democracy activism in Hong Kong and engaging in what the State Department has declared a genocide in Xinjiang. The CCP also is using advanced technology to control […]

#24: Peg Sanctions Rollback To A Regional Deal

By: Kirsten Fontenrose What is the kernel of the issue? The US and Iran are already at an impasse on nuclear negotiations pursuant to the JCPOA, neither willing to make the first concession. Why is the issue important? Until such a deal is reached, neither Iran nor the US intend to take steps toward an […]

#23: Call For Another Round of ‘BRAC’

By: Christopher Preble What is the kernel of the issue? The Obama and Trump administrations estimated that the Department of Defense is burdened by excess overhead and underutilized property, including a number of superfluous military bases in the United States. Why is the issue important? Maintenance and upkeep of unnecessary bases diverts resources away from […]

#22: Get Modernization Right and Prioritize Acquisition Reform

By: Ronald C. Fairbanks, Clementine Starling, and Christian Trotti What is the kernel of the issue? Over the last three decades, the Department of Defense has modernized its forces under the idea that the US was the only great power in the world—unchallenged militarily by near-peer competitors. As a result, the defense acquisition process is […]

#21: Produce A New ‘Project Solarium’

By: Ronald Marks What is the kernel of the issue? As the United States’ preponderant position in the world continues to decline relative to other major powers, it needs to go beyond its Cold War-based, self-defining aphorisms such as “Leader of the Free World” and “World’s Largest Super Power” to guide an adapted US foreign […]