Mind The Gap
The “Mind the Gap” series spotlights disconnects between strategic ambition and institutional execution. Whether in economic development, technology, infrastructure, or alliances, these short essays expose policy blind spots, misaligned incentives, and implementation lags that weaken allied coherence.
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A Stronger DFC for a Freer, More Open World
A Stronger DFC for a Freer, More Open World
The Trump administration’s recently released proposal to reauthorize and expand the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) reflects many of the recommendations we advanced last year at the Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition (WISC) on how to activate American investment overseas for a freer, more open world. We commend the administration for moving decisively in […]
Learn MoreAre You Ready to Compete? Introducing the PIVOT Framework
Are You Ready to Compete? Introducing the PIVOT Framework
In a world where competition unfolds not just on battlefields but across supply chains, research labs, and data centers, it’s no longer enough to know what matters. You need to know whether you’re ready. That’s where the PIVOT framework comes in. If GRIPS tells us what nations must prioritize to build long-term strength, PIVOT helps […]
Learn MoreBeyond the Deal: Building a U.S.–Japan Economic Alliance for the Long Term
Beyond the Deal: Building a U.S.–Japan Economic Alliance for the Long Term
When Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba affirmed Japan’s commitment to a “balanced and fair” trade agreement with the United States last week, he wasn’t just signaling goodwill. He was acknowledging a deeper reality: the U.S.–Japan relationship—among the world’s most consequential—requires an economic framework equal to its strategic weight. The deal announced this week—a 15% reciprocal tariff […]
Learn MoreGRIPS: A Framework for National Strength in a Fragmented World
GRIPS: A Framework for National Strength in a Fragmented World
What gives nations strategic advantage in today’s world? In a past era, military dominance and diplomatic stature were enough. Today, power flows through far more channels: semiconductors and energy markets, digital platforms and data rules, innovation ecosystems and institutional trust. To assess whether a nation is truly competitive—whether it can deter threats, attract partners, and […]
Learn MoreLeading at Light Speed: Quantum Will Redefine Global Power
Leading at Light Speed: Quantum Will Redefine Global Power
Freedom’s frontiers are shifting—and quantum technology is reshaping the battlefield. From stealth detection to ultra-secure communications, quantum tools are no longer future threats. They’re here. And if America fails to act with urgency, we risk ceding tomorrow’s strategic advantage to authoritarian rivals who are already operationalizing it. In a recent Chinese naval demonstration, quantum sensors […]
Learn MoreMacron’s Strategic Message: A GRIPS View of Europe’s Path Forward
Macron’s Strategic Message: A GRIPS View of Europe’s Path Forward
Photo: Author engaging with President Emmanuel Macron at the AI Action Summit, Grand Palais, Paris — February 2025. When French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the UK Parliament this week—the first European head of state to do so since Brexit—it was more than a diplomatic formality. Delivered in English, rich in symbolism and substance, his speech […]
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Alliances, Blog, China, Geoeconomics, Industrial Policy, Made in Democracy, Mind The Gap, Security, Strategic Competition, Supply Chains, Technology
Made in Democracy
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by Mark Kennedy
August 27, 2025
