American Security Project

05/05/2026

Can a New Prime Minister break Iraq’s months-long political stalemate? New Iraqi Prime Minister-Designate Ali al-Zaidi has received support from President Trump, but challenges remain regarding disarmament of Iranian-backed militias. A new piece by Nick Pomper breaks down bilateral engagements between Washington and Baghdad and proposes a diplomatic path forward.

The new Iraqi Prime Minister-Designate has received support from President Trump, but challenges remain regarding disarmament of Iranian-backed militias.

03/30/2026

Our latest report is out! As U.S. servicemembers face increasing pressure to get "fit not fat," our research warns of the increasing number of risky weight loss products that come with potentially severe health consequences. Decreasing stigma and shame about healthy weight loss methods and treatments is key to making sure our warriors are equipped with the knowledge they need to win this personal battle.

Amid rising rates of obesity in the Armed Forces, risky weight-loss products present an emerging threat to military health and readiness.

03/04/2026

Though the military accomplishments of Operation are incredibly impressive, the vagueness and lack of strategic planning are likely to lead to an epic fail. Our troops deserve the clarity of purpose based on accurate intelligence and a clear mission with definitive and achievable goals. ASP CEO Matthew Wallin takes a look at a number of issues with regards to this war.

Without realistic, fully gamed out planning for what happens after Epic Fury’s inconsistent objectives are potentially achieved, we may be witness to one of America’s most epic fails. The servicemembers we ask to do this deserve better from our leadership.

02/20/2026

As we head into the weekend, our CEO offers some thoughts on the possibility of war with Iran:

The current force posture around the country indicates that the U.S. is not positioned for a long-term war with Iran.

02/12/2026

The 2026 National Defense Strategy 🇺🇸 takes a calmer tone than last year’s National Security Strategy, but calm words aren’t enough.

It calls for defending the homeland, deterring China, boosting the defense industrial base, and asking allies to carry more of the load. Sounds good on paper ✅, but the gap between words and action is still clear.

If the U.S. wants stronger alliances 🌍 and real deterrence, strategy needs to match action. Political messaging, military planning, and alliance management all need to work together to achieve real foreign policy goals.

Read more here 👇
https://www.americansecurityproject.org/the-2026-national-defense-strategy-foreign-policy-goals/

The 2026 National Defense Strategy's broad proclamations don't truly connect rhetoric and action to stated foreign policy goals.

02/09/2026

Building Defense Capacity Through Partnership, Not Control 🛡️🇺🇸

President Trump’s recent executive order aimed at limiting investor returns at major defense contractors has sparked renewed debate over how best to strengthen U.S. weapons and munitions production. While accelerating defense production is an important national security objective, heavy handed government intervention risks weakening the very foundations that make long term capacity and innovation possible.

In this new analysis, Lt Gen Norman R. Seip, USAF (Ret.) explains why collaboration, not coercion, has driven recent progress across the defense industrial base. From major investments in missile production to expanded manufacturing capacity, industry responses have been enabled by clear requirements, stable contracts, and strong public private partnerships.

Investor confidence plays a critical role in ensuring defense companies can raise the capital needed to surge production during crises. Policies that deter investment may ultimately slow production and undermine military readiness rather than improve it.

The most effective path forward is partnership. Multi year contracts, streamlined acquisition processes, and predictable expectations allow industry to invest, innovate, and deliver for America’s warfighters.

Read the full piece here 👉 https://www.americansecurityproject.org/building-defense-capacity-through-partnership-not-control/

Executive Order 14372 forces large defense contractors to reduce investor returns if deemed "underperforming." A better approach would recognize the aerospace and defense industry as a strategic partner.

02/04/2026

Following a week of Q4 earnings from defense contractors and President Trump's executive order targeting stock buybacks and dividends, here's important context: aerospace and defense ranks NEAR THE BOTTOM of all industries for capital returns to shareholders.

The data: A&D dividend yields average just 1.9%, compared to 6.89% for steel, 2.7% for automobile production, and 3.29% for oil and gas.

The path to faster production isn't micromanaging financial decisions—it's long-term contracts that give companies confidence to invest.

Read more:
https://www.americansecurityproject.org/building-defense-capacity-through-partnership-not-control/

02/04/2026

⏳ Time is running out on the last remaining U.S.-Russia nuclear arms control treaty.

New START, the final nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, is set to expire within hours. For 15 years, the treaty has helped limit the world’s largest nuclear arsenals and reduce the risk of a costly and dangerous arms race.

As outlined in a recent analysis by ASP CEO Matthew Wallin, negotiating a replacement for New START is not something that can be done quickly. Arms control treaties require years of technical negotiations, verification mechanisms, and sustained political commitment. Allowing New START to expire without a clear alternative in place risks an unconstrained buildup of nuclear forces and increases the danger of miscalculation or escalation.

If a replacement treaty is not immediately feasible, accepting a short-term extension while working to restore full compliance and pursue a longer-term agreement may be the most responsible path forward. Nuclear brinksmanship carries consequences that extend far beyond politics.

Read the full ASP analysis here:
https://www.americansecurityproject.org/the-u-s-needs-to-do-something-about-new-start/

New START has served as the bedrock of nuclear arms control between the world’s most heavily armed nuclear powers for 15 years.

02/02/2026

Today, the American Security Project, alongside the Obesity Care Advocacy Network and more than 70 organizations and national security leaders, sent an open letter to the Department of War calling for urgent, evidence based action to address military obesity.

Rising rates of overweight and obesity among U.S. service members directly threaten military readiness, manpower, and long term force resilience. This is not a personal health issue alone. It is a national security challenge that demands serious policy attention.

The letter outlines clear, medically sound recommendations, including prevention and early intervention, access to proven obesity treatments, expanded research, education on unsafe weight loss practices, and restored TRICARE coverage for effective obesity medications. Treating obesity as the chronic disease it is remains essential to maintaining a strong and ready force.

America’s warfighters deserve access to the care they need to remain healthy during service and beyond. We urge defense leaders, policymakers, and the public to read the letter and support immediate action.

Read the full open letter here:
https://www.americansecurityproject.org/open-letter-strategies-to-counter-military-obesity/

In this open letter to the Department of War, the American Security Project, the Obesity Care Advocacy Network, and over 70 signatories share a set of evidence-based policy recommendations for safe, effective strategies to counter military obesity and strengthen force readiness and resilience.

01/30/2026

U.S. global leadership will not be secured by restricting Chinese technology alone. It will be earned by doubling down on America’s competitive advantages: open markets, sustained international investment, and private-sector innovation that can outcompete state-subsidized rivals on security, reliability, and trust. 🇺🇸🤖🔐

A new op-ed by David Wade and Courtney Manning makes the case for how the United States can achieve lasting global cybersecurity and AI leadership—by leading on standards, trust, and performance rather than scarcity.

Read more here: https://cyberscoop.com/ai-race-china-us-cloud-cybersecurity-trust-security-op-ed/

The U.S. won’t win the AI race with China on models alone. Trust, transparency, and AI-powered cloud cybersecurity can be America’s decisive edge—if policy helps it scale globally.