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National Security

A threat to democracy anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere. Over the past decade, we have seen consistent and sustained attacks on democracies globally—most egregiously, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—threatening cooperative progress on climate action, migration, food security, and shared prosperity. The Center for American Progress is committed to putting forward a progressive vision for a new era of U.S. engagement internationally. We believe national security goes beyond mere military power; it encompasses the need for a greater global response to complex crises, while also pushing for a new model for America’s economic and political competitiveness in the world. Critical U.S. foreign policy actions must be values-driven and mutually reinforcing with domestic priorities to advance an agenda of reform and renewal.

So, when we advocate for a more productive global ecosystem of accountability, we also analyze U.S. tax havens and financial loopholes. When we join the call for ambitious global action to tackle the climate crisis, we push for more robust emission reduction at home. And when we advocate for others to meet the moment, we acknowledge the weight of the United States in multilateral institutions and push for productive action instead of empty promises. At CAP, we know that America prides itself on being a leader, so we choose to advance a leadership agenda on the things that matter: promoting shared global prosperity, confronting climate change, and building resilient communities equipped to weather the storms ahead.

U.S. and other national flags fly outside NATO headquarters.
U.S. and other national flags fly outside NATO headquarters in Brussels on February 11, 2020. (Getty/Thierry Monasse)
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Congress Should Put Commonsense Guardrails on Military Use of AI Article
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Congress Should Put Commonsense Guardrails on Military Use of AI

Congress should include robust guardrails in the fiscal year 2027 NDAA to ensure that the Department of Defense protects safety, ethics, and its legal obligations in developing military capabilities enabled by artificial intelligence.

Allison McManus

Prioritizing US Adversaries Over Allies Is a Losing Strategy In the News

Prioritizing US Adversaries Over Allies Is a Losing Strategy

In an op-ed published by The National Interest, Jonathan Fritz argues that by punishing long-term partners such as Canada while appeasing Beijing, the Trump administration is encouraging a heightened dependency on Chinese supply chains that undermines U.S. workers.

The National Interest

Jonathan Fritz

Boots Off Ballots: The Law In the News

Boots Off Ballots: The Law

In an op-ed published by Just Security, Dan Herman and Devon Ombres break down the current laws on military presence at polling sites as they apply to the federal military and the National Guard.

Just Security

Dan Herman, Devon Ombres

Reforming National Security for the Future Past Event
Aerial view of the Pentagon building surrounded by parking lots and highways

Reforming National Security for the Future

Join the Center for American Progress to discuss how the United States can not only restore our security globally, but do it better.

Center for American Progress and online via Zoom

How the Trump Administration Is Eroding the US Military Edge In the News

How the Trump Administration Is Eroding the US Military Edge

In an op-ed for The National Interest, Michael Schiffer explains how the Trump administration’s policies are compromising the nation’s military power and eroding the tools needed to address pressing security threats.

The National Interest

Michael Schiffer

Weighing Priorities: What U.S. Spending on the Iran War Could Fund Instead Interactive

Weighing Priorities: What U.S. Spending on the Iran War Could Fund Instead

The House of Representatives took the first step toward passing a bill that would provide the Trump administration $73 billion to fund its already costly war in Iran. That funding, if better allocated, could provide lifesaving and life-changing services for millions of Americans.

Jamie Friedman, Bobby Kogan, Allison McManus

Reclaiming U.S. Strategy on Chinese Overcapacity and National Security Article

Reclaiming U.S. Strategy on Chinese Overcapacity and National Security

The Center for American Progress urges the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to look beyond narrow trade balances, to partner with allies to address China’s industrial overcapacity, and to protect U.S. national security commitments from economic coercion.

Jonathan Fritz

Stopping Trump’s Crypto Corruption: The Risks of the Clarity Act to Democracy and National Security Past Event

Stopping Trump’s Crypto Corruption: The Risks of the Clarity Act to Democracy and National Security

Please join the Center for American Progress for a conversation with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) on why stronger oversight and anticorruption rules for cryptocurrency markets are essential to protecting U.S. national security and our democracy.

Center for American Progress and online via Zoom

Government Insiders Must Be Prevented From Profiting on Prediction Markets at the Expense of National Security Report
Gannon Ken Van Dyke seen through window and behind tree

Government Insiders Must Be Prevented From Profiting on Prediction Markets at the Expense of National Security

Government employees’ use of insider information to profit on prediction markets raises both national security and ethical concerns, and there are several steps Congress and the president should take, including completely banning government employees’ use of prediction markets as a condition of employment.

Alexandra Thornton, Sadhana Mandala, Devon Ombres, 1 More Allison McManus

Why Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner Should Visit Ukraine In the News

Why Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner Should Visit Ukraine

In an op-ed for The National Interest, Damian Murphy argues that witnessing the destruction in Ukraine is critical for Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to engage in informed negotiations.

The National Interest

Damian Murphy

The President’s $1.5 Trillion Pentagon Budget Will Not Make the Country Safer Article
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The President’s $1.5 Trillion Pentagon Budget Will Not Make the Country Safer

To protect national security, the United States needs a strategic and disciplined approach to defense spending—not the Trump administration’s $1.5 trillion budget, which fails to match resources to strategy, needlessly inviting waste and increasing the deficit.

Allison McManus, Michael Schiffer, Steven Kosiak

2026 CAP IDEAS Conference Past Event

2026 CAP IDEAS Conference

The Center for American Progress’ signature event, now celebrating its 15th year, where CAP convenes the big thinkers and doers on the center-left for a day of not only identifying the problems facing Americans, but also sharing solutions to improve the lives of all Americans.

Online via Zoom

How Trump’s $500 Million UAE Crypto Deal Trades U.S. National Security for Family Profit Article
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How Trump’s $500 Million UAE Crypto Deal Trades U.S. National Security for Family Profit

Days before Trump’s second inauguration, the United Arab Emirates’ “Spy Sheikh” secretly bought 49 percent of the Trump family’s crypto firm. Months later, the administration handed over America’s most sensitive AI chips technology to the United Arab Emirates despite national security concerns. This isn’t just profiteering; it’s a betrayal of U.S. national security.

Allison McManus, Andrew Miller, Sadhana Mandala, 1 More Dan Herman

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