Arsenals of Democracy is a project by the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s Forward Defense initiative, which aims to address challenges and opportunities at the intersection of defense ministries and industries. By performing research, convening events, and cultivating a network of stakeholders, the project promotes policies and strategies to enhance defense-industrial performance. Starting in 2024, the project will launch the Arsenals of Democracy Forum, an exclusive community of up to 24 members who support the project’s work.
In 2024, the project will focus on three key drivers of change:
- Implementation of the Pentagon’s first National Defense Industrial Strategy
- Integration of the defense-industrial capabilities of allies and partners
- Deployment of digital technologies in weapon systems and government services
Speaker series
The Arsenals of Democracy project also works to engage its community of interest through four convenings of its featured speaker series.
Captains of Industry
Serving as a public platform, this initiative enables leading business executives to actively engage in comprehensive discussions about how their companies are addressing key public interests. The platform focuses on exploring the intersection of corporate responsibility and public policy, examining how regulatory frameworks and market dynamics influence business operations and societal impact. Executives share insights and strategies on navigating complex policy landscapes while contributing to the broader economic and social good.
Defense Industrial Policy Series
A prestigious stage for government leaders to articulate their commitment to managing and advancing the industrial capabilities crucial for national defense. It highlights their role in implementing strategic policies and fostering collaborations that enhance defense readiness. The address serves as a platform for unveiling significant policy initiatives, discussing the integration of new technologies, and outlining goals that ensure the nation’s defense sector remains robust and innovative in the face of emerging global challenges.
Arsenals of Democracy Forum
This exclusive, off-the-record breakfast meeting brings together top government officials and influential business leaders in a confidential setting. The roundtable fosters candid discussions on critical public policies and corporate strategies shaping the defense sector. Participants explore regulatory changes, technological advancements, and market trends, enjoying the freedom to speak openly without attribution. This environment enables key stakeholders to share insights, debate solutions, and collaborate on enhancing the sector’s effectiveness and resilience.
ARSN Membership
Every quarter, the 24 members of the Arsenals of Democracy Forum will gather for breakfast roundtable discussions with leading government officials and business executives. These not-for-attribution meetings provide a platform to discuss public policies and corporate strategies shaping the sector.
Members will also enjoy priority access to four invitation-only dinners and lunches held after the project’s events. Additionally, members receive semi-exclusive access to the Emerging Technologies Monitor, a bi-monthly newsletter offering insights on how technology is transforming military and industrial capabilities globally.
Past events
Stay connected
Engage with Forward Defense as we put forth a framework for enhancing US and allied forces by embracing emergent digital capabilities.
About the initiative
Forward Defense, housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, generates ideas and connects stakeholders in the defense ecosystem to promote an enduring military advantage for the United States, its allies, and partners. Our work identifies the defense strategies, capabilities, and resources the United States needs to deter and, if necessary, prevail in future conflict.