Departments

National Security and International Policy

Advancing progressive national security policies that are grounded in respect for democratic values: accountability, rule of law, and human rights

Representatives of the U.N. Security Council members raise their hands to vote in favor of a draft resolution at the U.N. headquarters in New York, September 30, 2021. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

What We're Doing

Defending democracy

Democracies around the globe—including our own—face threats not seen in generations. We work to bolster the guardrails of democracy around the world, strengthening the rule of law and accountability, and in so doing, we add our voice to the chorus pushing against authoritarian forms of government.

Revitalizing diplomacy

The United States’ most enduring advantage is our network of alliances. Alliances and relationships are increasingly important components of U.S. national power, furthering economic, security, and humanitarian aims. We develop and support approaches for revitalizing diplomacy to further U.S. engagement in improving lives at home and around the world.

Putting climate at the center of U.S. foreign policy

Climate change threatens global security, stability, and humanity, bringing sweeping changes to our world. We are working to center climate in our international efforts and policies by transforming strategy, culture, and budgets; outlining collective responses; and defining new bilateral and multilateral alliances that can advance collective solutions to these urgent problems confronting the country and the world.

Redefining American security in today’s threat environment

Many of today’s most foreseeable threats are those that affect daily life and prospects for prosperity: COVID-19, climate change, systemic inequality, racism, and global disinformation aimed at undermining rights and democratic practices. We are working to reconceptualize what national security means in the 21st century and how U.S. national security institutions and foreign policy priorities can adapt to protect Americans and safeguard human security for all.

Latest

Reviving transatlantic relations after Trump In the News
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Reviving transatlantic relations after Trump

Max Bergman explains how a new administration could revive or transform the transatlantic relationship between the United States and Europe.

Max Bergmann

How the U.S. Can Fight Corruption After Trump In the News
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How the U.S. Can Fight Corruption After Trump

Author Trevor Sutton argues that in order to fight international corruption, which threatens democracy and progressive values around the globe, the United States needs to address the shortcomings and lack of transparency in its own financial institutions.

Trevor Sutton

President Trump’s Relationship With China Has Only Served His Own Interests at America’s Tragic Expense Article
 (A red CAP logo with stars and stripes.)

President Trump’s Relationship With China Has Only Served His Own Interests at America’s Tragic Expense

President Trump’s China policy has been an abject failure, and recent revelations in a new book by his own former national security adviser, John Bolton, raise even more questions about Trump’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Melanie Hart, Michael Fuchs, Jordan Link, 2 More Laura Edwards, Kelly Magsamen

Joe Biden’s LGBTQ+ Legacy, 10 Years After DADT Repeal In the News
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Joe Biden’s LGBTQ+ Legacy, 10 Years After DADT Repeal

Winnie Stachelberg and Rudy Deleon recall the end of "don't ask, don't tell" 10 years ago, and the roll that former Vice President Joe Biden played in the policy's repeal.

Winnie Stachelberg, Rudy deLeon

Is Europe ready for America’s embrace? In the News
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Is Europe ready for America’s embrace?

Max Bergman discusses how Europe will cope with renewed American engagement should former Vice President Joe Biden win the 2020 presidential election.

Max Bergmann

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