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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Trump Is Putting Military Leaders in a No-Win Situation In the News

Trump Is Putting Military Leaders in a No-Win Situation

In an op-ed published by The New York Times, Frank Kendall explains how the current legal chain of command for the military is made up of the yes-men who will not push back on anything President Donald Trump or Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commands them to do.

The New York Times

Frank Kendall

A New Vision for American Foreign Policy Past Event

A New Vision for American Foreign Policy

Please join the Center for American Progress for an event unveiling an affirmative vision for American diplomacy and global leadership.

Center for American Progress and online via Zoom

Peace in Gaza? Hopefully, But Not Assuredly Article

Peace in Gaza? Hopefully, But Not Assuredly

Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement offers hope for an end to the war, but its implementation will depend on disciplined implementation from the inconstant president.

Andrew Miller

Congressional Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act Creates an Unaccountable Slush Fund for the Trump Administration’s Deportation Force Report
ICE officers patrol the halls of an immigration court building.

Congressional Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act Creates an Unaccountable Slush Fund for the Trump Administration’s Deportation Force

The OBBBA pumps $75 billion into ICE with no guardrails, supercharging the Trump administration’s massive, indiscriminate deportation agenda that is operating without accountability and threatening local communities and economies.

Securing American Democracy: A Conversation With Sen. Adam Schiff Past Event
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) questions Pam Bondi during her confirmation hearing.

Securing American Democracy: A Conversation With Sen. Adam Schiff

Join the Center for American Progress for a conversation with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) as part of CAP’s “What’s Next: Conversations on the Path Forward” series.

Center for American Progress

The Turnberry trap: Trump, Europe and global reordering In the News

The Turnberry trap: Trump, Europe and global reordering

In an op-ed published by Politico Europe, Robert Benson argues that President Trump's recent trade deal with the European Union represents an alarming global reordering—one that empowers bullying, sows division, and destabilizes international norms.

Politico Europe

Robert Benson

America’s Window To Stop Russia Is Closing Article
Smoke blankets Kyiv after an overnight drone strike by Russia.

America’s Window To Stop Russia Is Closing

Trump’s hasty ultimatum and symbolic tariffs will not deter Putin; only rapid weapons deliveries and enforceable energy sanctions can shift the battlefield and force Moscow to meaningfully negotiate, creating the conditions for a Ukraine ceasefire.

Robert Benson

By cutting science, the Defense Department is eating its seed corn In the News

By cutting science, the Defense Department is eating its seed corn

In an op-ed published by Defense News, Frank Kendall warns that the Trump administration's cuts to science and research funding harm U.S. national security by giving China a solid edge on research and technology development.

Defense News

Frank Kendall

Hoja informativa: Un marco de inmigración que garantizará el orden en la frontera, mantendrá seguros a los estadounidenses, aumentará el crecimiento económico y nos fortalecerá Hoja informativa

Hoja informativa: Un marco de inmigración que garantizará el orden en la frontera, mantendrá seguros a los estadounidenses, aumentará el crecimiento económico y nos fortalecerá

Estas reformas ofrecen una estrategia ordenada y eficaz que protege a las comunidades estadounidenses y defiende los valores de la nación, a la vez que satisface las necesidades económicas del país.

Neera Tanden, Debu Gandhi

Fact Sheet: An Immigration Framework That Would Ensure Order at the Border, Keep Americans Safe, Increase Economic Growth, and Make Us Stronger Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet: An Immigration Framework That Would Ensure Order at the Border, Keep Americans Safe, Increase Economic Growth, and Make Us Stronger

These reforms offer an orderly and effective approach that protects American communities and upholds American values while meeting the nation’s economic needs.

Neera Tanden, Debu Gandhi

The Trump Administration’s Reckless Strikes in Iran Raise More Questions Than Answers Article
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after announcing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

The Trump Administration’s Reckless Strikes in Iran Raise More Questions Than Answers

Amid a tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Iran, the ultimate consequences of President Trump’s military intervention in Iran remain unknown but are potentially deeply damaging to U.S. interests. Congress should exert its authority to prevent the president from drawing the United States further into conflict in the future.

America Is on the Verge of Catastrophe in the Middle East In the News

America Is on the Verge of Catastrophe in the Middle East

In an op-ed published by Foreign Affairs, Andrew Miller argues that by joining Israel’s campaign against Iran, the United States has made a sustainable long-term solution less attainable.

Foreign Affairs

Andrew Miller

America’s Role in the World: The Value of Leadership and Alliance Past Event

America’s Role in the World: The Value of Leadership and Alliance

Join us for a conversation with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) as part of CAP’s “What’s Next: Conversations on the Path Forward” series.

Center for American Progress and online via Zoom

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