Geopolitical rivals have weaponized economics to gain strategic competitive advantages against the U.S. in recent years. Specifically, China and Russia have increased asymmetric activi- ties focused on destabilizing and diminishing the vitality of the US economy. Much of this activity takes place below the threshold of war, yet still vitally threatens national security and prosperity, manifesting as disinformation, deliberate supply chain disruption, and economic manipulation and coercion. Left unchecked, these activities lead to vulnerabilities in key U.S. industries and markets, reduced trust in institutions, and threaten the very threads of our society.

As a national security imperative, economic statecraft requires the government to collaborate with businesses and policymakers to devise and incentivize mutually beneficial public-private part- nerships with sound public policy that ultimately lends to an advantageous competitive posture for the U.S. and its Allies and partners.

While there are ongoing efforts across the U.S. government, the policy community, and private sector to address asymmetric economic activities, they are somewhat disparate and disconnected from a broader strategy for economic statecraft.

The purpose of this conference is to provide a better understanding for current economic statecraft activities across the public and private sectors while providing an opportunity for dia- logue and collaboration among invested parties.

Government and industry panelists will share how they see the problem, what they are doing about it, and what they need to succeed in the future, providing a foundation for partnership to deliberately counter asymmetric economic threats, together—a more cohesive societal approach to economic statecraft for future security and prosperity.

Who: Public and private entities invested in economic statecraft What: Learn, share, interact, and partner on economic statecraft initiatives Why: To ensure a secure and prosperous future
When: 25-26 July 2024
Where: TAMU Bush School, Washington, DC

The U.S. faces a defining challenge: how can it stay ahead of a rapidly rising China? The answer lies in smart, strategic economic statecraft.

Join the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies for an in-depth discussion inspired by “Leveraging Strength in Economic Statecraft” by Frank Finelli and Dr. Tim Welter. This conversation breaks down the competition shaping the future of global power—and what the U.S. must do to lead.

In this event, we explore:
? Where China already rivals—or even surpasses—the United States
? How America can leverage its innovation, markets, and alliances for long-term advantage
? The policies that will define the next era of global economic leadership

Webinar Series: Securing the U.S. Manufacturing Base For Artificial Intelligence

The data centers for the Genesis Mission and other national security programs will house vast amounts of sensitive data, intellectual property, and national infrastructure information. This session explores the intersection of cybersecurity, AI technology, and policy. Panelists will discuss data protections, regulatory frameworks, and emerging threats in an evolving digital landscape.

Join the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies for the first session in this four-part webinar series, bringing together leaders from government, industry, and academia to explore the programs and investments needed to secure the AI manufacturing base on sovereign soil and innovation.

Session 1: Economic Statecraft and Contemporary Warfare: Understanding the Challenge

Throughout US history, American policymakers have acknowledged that economic security is national security. Today the two are enmeshed more than ever before. Critically interdependent global markets, supply chains, and information flows are wound tightly by technology-enabled networks at a scale never experienced across human history. Great opportunities, but also vulnerabilities, avail. As such, economic statecraft has become a central tool for leveraging national power on the global stage, to include adversarial activities above and below the threshold of war. US prosperity and security is on the line. What are we doing about it? Who are the key players? Why should warfighters and policymakers care?

Concerned about the existential stakes of this issue, the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies and War on the Rocks, a platform for analysis and debate on strategy, defense and foreign affairs, have partnered to elevate this discussion among defense practitioners and national policy circles. Our series, "War by Other Ledgers," will seek to answer these questions, and many more.

Webinar Series: Securing the U.S. Manufacturing Base For Artificial Intelligence

How do we promote emerging AI enterprises and develop the necessary infrastructure to power them? Their power, water, and fiber use are stressing national utility systems. This session examines technology solutions and discusses policy options that reduce the impacts of scaling digital infrastructure.

Join the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies for the second session in this four-part webinar series, bringing together leaders from government, industry, and academia to explore the programs and investments needed to secure the AI manufacturing base on sovereign soil and innovation.

This webinar session builds on an article by Dr. Will Norris that explores who across the U.S. federal government oversees and carries out economic statecraft activities, notably with regard to national security concerns. Which government entities have economic statecraft authorities and responsibilities? Who is in charge, overall? What should the lines of authority look like? Who decides which economic statecraft tools are wielded and when? How should offensive and defense economic activities be prioritized?

This webinar session builds on an article examining the information requirements of effective economic statecraft. As the United States seeks to maintain an advantageous economic posture, how should national security intelligence and private sector business intelligence be integrated? What are the statutory, cultural, and organizational implications of such fusion? How should fused intelligence be collected, shared, and operationalized in support of economic competition?

Webinar Series: Securing the U.S. Manufacturing Base For Artificial Intelligence

AI innovation relies on massive computing power envisioned by the Genesis Mission. This session explores how data center development shape AI business models, investments, and global competitiveness. Panelists will discuss the interdependencies, challenges, and opportunities for infrastructure and AI growth.

Join the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies for the third session in this four-part webinar series, bringing together leaders from government, industry, and academia to explore the programs and investments needed to secure the AI manufacturing base on sovereign soil and innovation.

VADM Frank D. "Trey" Whitworth, USN (Ret.), CEO and Founder, Whitworth Strategies, LLC

Session 4: Economic Statecraft and International Coordination

This webinar session builds on an article examining how economic statecraft should be coordinated with allies and partners. As the United States seeks to advance economic competition alongside likeminded countries, how should economic statecraft efforts be aligned across diplomatic, economic, and security relationships? What role do the State Department, embassies, and other diplomatic channels play in coordinating economic activities abroad? How can the United States effectively align its approach with partners whose governmental structures and economic authorities differ from its own?

Moderator:

Madeline Field, Assistant Editor, War on the Rocks

Speakers:

Georgie Skipper, CEO, Lucetia Group

Dr. Tim Welter, Senior Research Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies

Session 5: Economic Statecraft and the Federal Budget Process

As economic statecraft assumes a more central role in national security strategy, important questions arise about how it is institutionalized within the federal government. This webinar builds on a forthcoming article by Mark Mitchum, Principal, StratAero Advisory, examining the relationship between economic statecraft and the federal budget and planning system to include the Pentagon's Planning, Programming, Budget, and Execution (PPBE) process. The discussion will explore how existing budget structures might integrate evolving economic statecraft initiatives as a sustained instrument of national power.

Moderator:

Madeline Field, Assistant Editor, War on the Rocks

Speakers:

Mark Mitchum, Founder & Principal, StratAero Advisory

Dr. Tim Welter, Senior Research Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies

Session 5: Economic Statecraft and the Federal Budget Process

As economic statecraft becomes more integrated with the pursuit of national security strategy objectives, its relationship with military operations is coming into sharper focus. Drawing on an article by Dr. Anita R. Kellogg of the National Defense University, this discussion examines operationalizing economic statecraft by the military, the intelligence community, and the wider interagency. What role should the military play in economic statecraft activities, and how should responsibilities be distributed across government, allies, and the private sector?

Read the article here: Operationalizing Economic Statecraft: A New Imperative for the Pentagon

Moderator:

Madeline Field, Assistant Editor, War on the Rocks

Speakers:

Dr. Anita R. Kellogg, Assistant Professor, National Defense University

Dr. Tim Welter, Senior Research Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies

Webinar Series: Securing the U.S. Manufacturing Base For Artificial Intelligence

AI capabilities for U.S. national security cannot be denied, disrupted, or corrupted by a global competitor. That includes the materials, microchips, power, and equipment needed to generate AI. Panelists will discuss critical supply chain gaps that must be addressed with on-shoring investments to protect access at scale.

Join the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies for the final session in this four-part webinar series, bringing together leaders from government, industry, and academia to explore the programs and investments needed to secure the AI manufacturing base on sovereign soil and innovation.