American Innovation

The geopolitical and socioeconomic challenges of the twenty-first century are unlike any the United States has seen before. CSIS experts provide thoughtful analysis on the U.S. innovation ecosystem and explore methods for sustaining American technological competitiveness.

Photo: miss irine/Adobe Stock

Photo: miss irine/Adobe Stock

An “America First” Tech Stack Cannot Be America Alone

The administration has not yet revealed the details of the American AI Exports Program and how it will work.  To successfully compete with China, it should include the entire tech stack, facilitate cooperation with trusted partners, and be backed by real resources.

Commentary by Stephan Lang — January 15, 2026

See all analysis on American Innovation

Past Events

See all events on American Innovation

Related Programs

Experts

Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department

All American Innovation Content

Filter by

1 - 10 of 357 results

An “America First” Tech Stack Cannot Be America Alone

The administration has not yet revealed the details of the American AI Exports Program and how it will work.  To successfully compete with China, it should include the entire tech stack, facilitate cooperation with trusted partners, and be backed by real resources.

Commentary by Stephan Lang — January 15, 2026

Universities, Patents, and the Future of U.S. Competitiveness

The strength of the United States’ innovation system does not rest on government spending alone, but on the mutually supportive partnership between public investment, university research, and private enterprise. 

Commentary by Shruti Sharma and Chris Borges — December 15, 2025

Turning the AI Revolution into Dollar Dominance

Navin Girishankar argues that President Trump's Gulf chip deals enable billions in AI exports but miss what ensures dollar dominance. A compute-dollar successor to the petrodollar will keep China’s offer of AI plus digital yuan settlement in the rearview mirror. 

Commentary by Navin Girishankar — December 8, 2025

What to Expect from Secretary Hegseth’s November 7 Speech on the Arsenal of Freedom

Secretary Hegseth’s upcoming “Arsenal of Freedom” address signals a possible historic shift in U.S. defense acquisition and the industrial base—aimed at undoing decades of consolidation, revitalizing industrial capacity, and reforming how the Pentagon delivers capabilities to the warfighter.

Commentary by Jerry McGinn — November 5, 2025