Content

Report

Jun 30, 2025

Second-order impacts of civil artificial intelligence regulation on defense: Why the national security community must engage

By Deborah Cheverton

Civil regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) is hugely complex and evolving quickly, with even otherwise well-aligned countries taking significantly different approaches. At first glance, little in the content of these regulations is directly applicable to the defense and national security community.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Technologies
Blurred photo of a malware sample in the Ghidra reverse engineering

Report

Jun 25, 2025

Crash (exploit) and burn: Securing the offensive cyber supply chain to counter China in cyberspace 

By Winnona DeSombre Bernsen

If the United States wishes to compete in cyberspace, it must compete against China to secure its offensive cyber supply chain.

China Cybersecurity

Report

Jun 23, 2025

2025 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes: How political freedom drives growth

By Ignacio Campomanes, Nina Dannaoui-Johnson, Annie (Yu-Lin) Lee, Joseph Lemoine

As the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes show political freedom declining worldwide for the twelfth straight year, new data analysis shows its importance for lasting prosperity: Though authoritarians promise economic rewards, democratizing countries gain an 8.8 percent GDP per capita boost over twenty years than their autocratic peers. With democracy on the ropes, what else can the Indexes tell us?

China Civil Society

Report

Jun 23, 2025

Building electricity bridges: The critical role of high-voltage direct current lines

By Joseph Webster, Frank Willey

A report on the potential of long distance HVDC electric cables and their critical role in regional connectivity for a secure, affordable, and cleaner energy future.

Africa Central Asia

Report

Jun 20, 2025

A guide to national security space trends in the GCC

By AzurX and Graham Brookie

AzurX provides a comprehensive picture of the innovative strategies, ambitious missions, and inspiring visions propelling GCC nation space programs to new heights.

Space Space Security

Report

Jun 17, 2025

Great sea connections: Financing the Eastern Mediterranean’s energy transition

By Karim Elgendy

This report proposes frameworks for innovative financial mechanisms to simultaneously advance technological leapfrogging, economic development, and regional cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Africa Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Jun 16, 2025

Scaling up private capital for climate investment in emerging markets

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou, Frank Willey

The gap between actual and needed global investment in renewable energy is projected to grow to tens of trillions of dollars over the next ten to thirty years.

Energy Markets & Governance

Issue Brief

Jun 13, 2025

Mapping China’s strategy for rare earths dominance

By Craig Hart

China has built a commanding monopoly over rare earths.

China Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Jun 12, 2025

Energy strategy across the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean

By Phillip Cornell

The energy landscape of the ASIO region is also a key component of broader, global geopolitical and strategic change.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
A LB Steel LLC's employee manufactures a component for new Amtrak Acela trains built in partnership with Alstom in Harvey, Illinois, U.S. December 4, 2019. REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski

Issue Brief

Jun 12, 2025

Building for tomorrow: Preparing US industry to compete in a lower-carbon global economy

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

The question for US policymakers is not whether to compete, but how.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance