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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 Must Stop Prediction Market Corruption Article
Prediction market sites are shown on electronic devices.

Congress Must Stop Prediction Market Corruption

Recent reports of prediction market bets made ahead of surprise government actions point to potentially corrupt use of insider information for personal profit. Congress must put an end to this practice.

Alexandra Thornton

Regional Recalibration After the Iran Strikes Article

Regional Recalibration After the Iran Strikes

President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iran has upended a careful balance regional actors have long sought to strike between the United States, Israel, and Iran.

H.A. Hellyer

Trump’s Short-Sighted Africa Strategy Article

Trump’s Short-Sighted Africa Strategy

The Trump administration views the African continent as “peripheral” to U.S. interests—a gross strategic miscalculation that will set back America’s security, competitiveness, and influence in the years to come.

Melissa Zelikoff

The Trump Administration’s Trade Deals Are the Epitome of Corporate-Style ‘Short-Termism’ in Foreign Policy, and the American People Will Pay the Price for Years To Come Article
The presidential podium in front of curtains

The Trump Administration’s Trade Deals Are the Epitome of Corporate-Style ‘Short-Termism’ in Foreign Policy, and the American People Will Pay the Price for Years To Come

The lasting consequences of the Trump administration’s trade policy demonstrate the cost of headline-chasing leadership.

Ryan Mulholland

An Update on Military Actions in Iran Past Event
President Donald Trump tours the assembly line at the Ford River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan.

An Update on Military Actions in Iran

CAP experts are ready to fill you in on the details and repercussions of military actions in Iran.

Online via Zoom

Are the Iran strikes a good idea? In the News

Are the Iran strikes a good idea?

In a symposium for NOTUS, Damian Murphy argued that the U.S. strikes on Iran were wrong and unlawful, adding that American voters don't support regime change wars.

NOTUS

Damian Murphy

What Both Anthropic and the Pentagon Get Wrong In the News

What Both Anthropic and the Pentagon Get Wrong

In an op-ed for The New York Times, Frank Kendall writes about the standoff between Anthropic and the Department of Defense, arguing that Congress must pass strong regulations on artificial intelligence to ensure a level playing field and balanced interests.

The New York Times

Frank Kendall

How Trump’s Unilateral Foreign Policy Has Eroded American Power Article
An American flag flies near the dome of the U.S. Capitol.

How Trump’s Unilateral Foreign Policy Has Eroded American Power

In his State of the Union address, President Trump will attempt to project strength. But while his administration’s unilateral foreign policy—from military strikes on Iran to reckless tariffs—expands the bounds of executive power, it has only weakened the United States on the world stage.

Allison McManus, Dawn Le

Reining in DHS and Restoring Accountability Past Event

Reining in DHS and Restoring Accountability

Join a virtual discussion with the authors of five commonsense reforms to rein in DHS.

The Trump Administration’s Fixation on Greenland Reinforces That Climate Change Is a Threat to Americans Article
Ships are seen among icebergs that broke off from the Jakobshavn Glacier.

The Trump Administration’s Fixation on Greenland Reinforces That Climate Change Is a Threat to Americans

Climate change is causing the Arctic to warm at an alarming rate, threatening to heighten geopolitical tensions in the region; yet instead of combating this threat, President Trump has halted all U.S. international climate action, putting Americans’ security at risk.

Courtney Federico

The Trump Administration’s ICE and CBP Have Become a Threat to Americans: Congress Must Ensure That DHS Follows the Law and Adopts Commonsense Reforms Article
ICE agents detain woman on ground

The Trump Administration’s ICE and CBP Have Become a Threat to Americans: Congress Must Ensure That DHS Follows the Law and Adopts Commonsense Reforms

The Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security is out of control, endangering the well-being and lives of Americans. DHS must follow the law and fulfill its role to enhance—not compromise—the security of Americans and the homeland.

Dan Herman, Allie Preston, Gréta Bedekovics, 5 More Ben Olinsky, Ben Greenho, Rosa Barrientos-Ferrer, Silva Mathema, Debu Gandhi

Illiberal International: The Transatlantic Right’s Challenge to Democracy In the News

Illiberal International: The Transatlantic Right’s Challenge to Democracy

In a chapter published in the European Center for Populism Studies’ report “Populism and the Future of Transatlantic Relations: Challenges and Policy Options,” Robert Benson investigates the transatlantic dimensions of far-right political mobilization, tracing the networks linking populist and authoritarian actors across Europe and the United States.

European Center for Populism Studies

Robert Benson

La intervención militar de Trump en Venezuela beneficia a las grandes petroleras, no al pueblo estadounidense Artículo
A child walks along the beach at dusk on the outskirts of El Palito refinery.

La intervención militar de Trump en Venezuela beneficia a las grandes petroleras, no al pueblo estadounidense

La administración Trump arriesgó las vidas de militares estadounidenses con sus recientes acciones militares en Venezuela, todo en un esfuerzo por beneficiar a sus donantes petroleros a pesar del alto costo para los contribuyentes.

Damian Murphy, Allison McManus

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.

Rosa Barrientos-Ferrer, Ben Greenho, Silva Mathema

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.

Andrew Miller, Allison McManus

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

100 Days of the Trump Administration’s Foreign Policy: Global Chaos, American Weakness, and Human Suffering Report
President Donald Trump is seen sitting at a table with members of his Cabinet.

100 Days of the Trump Administration’s Foreign Policy: Global Chaos, American Weakness, and Human Suffering

In only 100 days, the Trump administration has wrought chaos around the world and weakened the United States’ place in it—leaving the American people and billions of others worldwide to pay the price.

Allison McManus, Ryan Mulholland, Andrew Miller, 3 More Dan Herman, Robert Benson, Courtney Federico

How Democracies Defend Themselves Against Authoritarianism Report
A crowd of protestors is gathered holding signs.

How Democracies Defend Themselves Against Authoritarianism

Democracies facing authoritarian threats from within have found ways to push back by strengthening institutions, reinforcing democratic norms, and building popular resistance against encroaching autocracy. Understanding these strategies is vital to learning how to fight back.

Robert Benson

How Congress Can Help Curb the UAE’s Role in Sudan’s Crisis Article
A man walks past a damaged building in Khartoum North, Sudan.

How Congress Can Help Curb the UAE’s Role in Sudan’s Crisis

To see a peaceful end to the conflict, Congress must hold the UAE accountable for its role in fueling Sudan’s violent civil war and deepening its humanitarian crisis through the weapons and gold trade.

Allison McManus, Anne Griffin

The Risks of Trump’s Politicization of the Military Past Event

The Risks of Trump’s Politicization of the Military

Please join the Center for American Progress for a virtual discussion about the Trump administration's recent decision to fire high-ranking U.S. military members.

Online only

It’s Time for a Just and Lasting Peace in Israel and Palestine In the News

It’s Time for a Just and Lasting Peace in Israel and Palestine

In an op-ed published by Inkstick, Allison McManus argues why the United States should seize moments of opportunity ahead to propel the West Bank toward a just and lasting peace and outlines the role the country could play in doing so.

Inkstick

Allison McManus

Trump and Vance’s Disgraceful Oval Office Ambush of Zelenskyy Comes at America’s Expense and Only Benefits Putin Article
U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House, February 2025.

Trump and Vance’s Disgraceful Oval Office Ambush of Zelenskyy Comes at America’s Expense and Only Benefits Putin

Trump and Vance’s deliberate humiliation of Zelenskyy in Washington signaled to allies and adversaries alike that America’s leadership is in crisis, jeopardizing Ukraine’s fight for survival and emboldening Putin’s aggression.

Allison McManus, Robert Benson

Trump’s Rash Immigration Actions Place Cruelty and Spectacle Above Security Report

Trump’s Rash Immigration Actions Place Cruelty and Spectacle Above Security

Rather than adopting commonsense measures to fix the United States’ badly broken immigration system to benefit all Americans, President Trump’s indiscriminate immigration actions follow a pattern of cruelty, ripping apart families and communities and jeopardizing Americans’ security.

Debu Gandhi, Ben Greenho, Nick Wilson

Syria’s Transition and the Shadow of the Arab Uprisings Report
The sun is seen setting over the city of Damascus.

Syria’s Transition and the Shadow of the Arab Uprisings

While the Syrian people should ultimately determine their own future, the United States must learn from its mistakes during the Arab uprisings to best facilitate a democratic transition.

Andrew Miller

Pete Hegseth Is Unfit To Lead the Pentagon Article
An aerial view of the Pentagon.

Pete Hegseth Is Unfit To Lead the Pentagon

Pete Hegseth lacks the credibility and experience required to lead a body as massive and as critical as the Department of Defense; his confirmation as secretary of defense would be a major risk to Americans’ safety and security.

Allison McManus, Dan Herman, Laura Kilbury

Congress should block aid to Egypt In the News

Congress should block aid to Egypt

In an op-ed published in The Hill, Allison McManus argues that instead of releasing $320 million in military aid, Congress should hold Cairo accountable for its flagrant human rights violations.

The Hill

Allison McManus

CAP Joined by National Security and Gun Violence Prevention Advocates To Urge Congress To Protect Firearm Export Rule Article

CAP Joined by National Security and Gun Violence Prevention Advocates To Urge Congress To Protect Firearm Export Rule

The Center for American Progress, along with 34 organizations, authored a letter to Congress about protecting the Commerce Department’s firearm export rule, which will establish a new regulatory framework to protect U.S. national security interests.

Allison McManus, Nick Wilson, Laura Kilbury, 1 More Allison Jordan

From Policy to Law: Strengthening Arms Transfer Principles Article
Photo shows a closeup of the Capitol building dome against a mostly blue sky

From Policy to Law: Strengthening Arms Transfer Principles

The Biden administration's inconsistent implementation of the Conventional Arms Transfer policy risks complicity in rights abuses abroad, highlighting the need for Congress to safeguard rights protections.

Laura Kilbury, Allison McManus

Congress Must Provide Funding and Protect Oversight To Meet Global Security and Humanitarian Needs Article
Photo shows a view of the Capitol building against a blue sky, partly reflected in a shiny surface in the foreground

Congress Must Provide Funding and Protect Oversight To Meet Global Security and Humanitarian Needs

Recent bipartisan Senate legislation provides security and humanitarian assistance in critical areas—Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, and the Indo-Pacific—but Congress must ensure more oversight so that the funds are used according to U.S. law and policy.

Patrick Gaspard, Allison McManus

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