Hudson Institute Events Podcast
Alle afleveringen
599 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
-
AI Power and National Security Conference: Open Models, Governance, and US-China Military Competition
3 november 2026 · 3 uur 3 min
Artificial intelligence is a vital source of economic strength, national security, and geopolitical influence. The United States needs to determine how to develop more capable AI systems, deploy them responsibly, manage their risks without stifling innovation, and translate AI development into lasting military advantages for itself and its allies. Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute for a conference with leaders from industry, government, academia, and defense to discuss the latest developments in the US-China AI competition. Panelists will examine whether open-weight models can strengthen a trusted US-led ecosystem; what policy framework best supports safety, competitiveness, and statecraft; and how AI can reinforce deterrence while reducing the risks of miscalculation and escalation.
Panel I. Open-Weight Models and US-China Competition
Open-weight models are testing whether openness can spur innovation and strengthen democratic influence without introducing unacceptable security risks. This discussion will examine their role in US-China AI competition, the incentives driving their adoption, and the safeguards needed to manage their proliferation responsibly.
Panel II. Governing AI Competitiveness, Safety, and Statecraft
The US needs an AI policy that manages risks without undercutting the innovation that sustains American leadership. This session will focus on policy tools that support safety, economic competitiveness, and national security.
Panel III. AI and Military Power: From Technology to Operational Advantage
This panel will assess how the US and its allies can translate AI advances into credible deterrence while preserving human judgment, resilient decision systems, and escalation control.
-
Chemistry of Combat: Rebuilding America’s Energetics Base
30 oktober 2026 · 2 uur 55 min
The United States has an opportunity to build a new energetics enterprise that can support the scale and adaptability modern warfare demands. Rising munitions requirements, advances in manufacturing and chemistry, and a growing number of innovative new entrants have created new possibilities to expand production capacity, modernize aging facilities, and move promising energetic materials more rapidly into weapons systems. Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute for a discussion of how the US can build a more resilient and flexible energetics base that can meet sustained demand while accelerating the development of new capabilities.
-
Mecca Pact vs. IMEC: Competing Visions for the New Middle East
28 oktober 2026 · 57 min
In August, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan signed the Mecca Pact, a mutual defense agreement stretching from Anatolia to South Asia. Meanwhile, the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor (IMEC) will link Indian and Gulf markets to Europe through Israel. These are two new competing visions for the Middle East’s future. Each offers a different answer to the question, Who will shape the region’s security and connectivity after the Iran war? Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Ken Moriyasu for a panel with Chaim Martin, Israel’s minister of economic affairs to the United States; Aslı Aydıntaşbaş of the Brookings Institution; Soner Cagaptay of the Washington Institute; and Director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East Michael Doran as they examine the logic behind each framework and what their rivalry means for US policy.
-
A Special Address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
23 oktober 2026 · 49 min
As Ukrainians prepare for another challenging winter, discussions across the West have reached a new intensity over how Ukraine can adequately secure the front line, defend its civilian population, and ensure a just and lasting peace at the negotiating table. Lees meer
Please join Hudson Institute for a special address on the current state-of-play by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who will join remotely, followed by a question-and-answer session on the war with Hudson Institute President and CEO John Walters.
-
The Annual Czech and Slovak Freedom Lecture
23 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 3 min
Hudson Institute is pleased to host the next iteration of the Czech and Slovak Freedom Lecture, a longstanding forum for examining the challenges facing freedom and democratic security in Europe. Established in 2000 as a joint initiative of the American Friends of the Czech Republic and Friends of Slovakia to commemorate the Velvet Revolution, the lecture alternates between Czech and Slovak speakers and topics. Lees meer
This October, Hudson welcomes Karel Řehka, former chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, to discuss the changing security environment in Europe and its implications for the Czech Republic, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the transatlantic alliance.
General Řehka will examine how the Czech Republic and its allies should respond to the European evolving threat environment. He will discuss the readiness and modernization of the Czech Armed Forces, the role of a strong and resilient defense industrial base, lessons from the war in Ukraine, and the steps NATO allies can take to strengthen deterrence, resilience, and collective defense.
-
Decision Time in Jerusalem: Inside Israel’s Election
22 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 7 min
On October 27, Israelis will vote in their first national election since the October 7, 2023, massacre and the subsequent multifront war. The vote is becoming a referendum on security as the public debate focuses on accountability for October 7, the Israel Defense Forces’ strategy in Gaza, and military service for ultra-Orthodox men. Both the right and the left have been critical of the nation’s leaders, but whether voters will replace the coalition remains unclear. Whoever wins will lead Israel through the unfinished fronts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, and determine how the next government will work with Washington. Lees meer
Five days before the vote, join Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Ludovic Hood for a panel with David Wurmser of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs; David Makovsky of the Washington Institute; and Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East Michael Doran as they discuss the state of the race and potential paths forward for the United States–Israel relationship.
-
A Moral Case for Zionism: A Book Launch with Casey Babb
22 oktober 2026 · 57 min
Casey Babb’s first book, The Moral Case for Zionism, will be published on October 22. Babb argues that Zionism offers something meaningful not just to the Jewish community but to all people. He explores the moral principles at the heart of the Zionist spirit and examines the dangers posed by the rise of anti-Zionism and antisemitism across the West. Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute for a conversation with the author on the eve of the book’s release. Babb, Director of The Promised Land Project at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and an associate fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, will discuss the book’s central argument and the practical ways Jews and non-Jews alike can embrace Zionist ideas in their lives.
-
Dragon in the Americas: China’s Power, Presence, and Regional Influence
21 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 6 min
In his new book, Dragon in the Americas: China’s Power, Presence, and Regional Influence, Leland Lazarus traces the evolution of Beijing’s footprint across the Western Hemisphere, from strategic ports and critical minerals to transnational crime and the ongoing contest with Taiwan for diplomatic recognition. As China’s engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean shifts from being primarily economic toward using the region for strategic depth, how should Washington respond? Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute for a conversation with Lazarus, founder of Lazarus Consulting and former speechwriter to the commander of the US Southern Command.
-
Landmines, Nuclear Weapons, Deterrence, and Stability on the Korean Peninsula
13 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 3 min
Though Washington and Seoul are interested in engaging with North Korea diplomatically, Pyongyang continues to advance its nuclear and missile capabilities and insists that its status as a nuclear-armed state is irreversible. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in renewing diplomacy with Kim Jong Un, raising the possibility of another Trump–Kim meeting. Lees meer
Managing North Korea, though, remains only one of several major challenges confronting the United States–Republic of Korea alliance. Washington and Seoul also need to grapple with the future of extended deterrence, South Korea’s new nuclear-powered attack submarine project, wartime operational control, and the broader challenge of maintaining military readiness while creating space for diplomacy.
To discuss these and other issues, Hudson Institute Asia-Pacific Security Chair Patrick M. Cronin will lead an expert panel featuring Lieutenant General (Ret.) In-bum Chun, senior fellow at the Association of the United States Army and former commander of the Republic of Korea Special Warfare Command; Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper, senior adviser at the Asia Group and former special assistant to the president and senior director for East Asia and Oceania at the White House National Security Council; and Ankit Panda, senior fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and author of The New Nuclear Age: At the Precipice of Armageddon.
-
Trilateral US-Japan-Taiwan Cooperation on Physical AI
12 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 10 min
Physical artificial intelligence is at the forefront of AI development and could revolutionize industry and security. Secure supply chains and technological leadership in physical AI are a strategic imperative for many countries. The United States, Japan, and Taiwan are uniquely equipped with complementary skills to achieve technological superiority in this field. Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute for remarks and a panel discussion on how these allies can collaborate to seize physical AI’s opportunities. Senior Fellow William Chou will host Jeremy Chang, chief executive officer of Taiwan’s Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emerging Technology, and Ken Fukuda, director of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, for a conversation on each country’s approach to physical AI.
-
Anticompetitive and Deceptive Conduct in Healthcare with FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson
7 oktober 2026 · 59 min
Join Hudson Institute for a discussion with Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson and Senior Fellow Harold Furchtgott-Roth. The event will explore how the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection authorities can police anticompetitive and deceptive conduct in healthcare. Chairman Ferguson will focus on the agency’s recent efforts to promote price transparency in hospitals and pharmaceuticals, a key priority of the Trump administration. By ensuring price transparency, the FTC empowers consumer choice and promotes competitive markets as a counter to rising healthcare costs Lees meer
-
Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought on Revitalizing the Shipbuilding Industrial Base
2 oktober 2026 · 42 min
On August 13, 2026, President Donald Trump signed a national security presidential memorandum that directs the Department of War to pursue a set of critical initiatives to restore United States Navy shipbuilding capacity and competition within the maritime industrial base. Lees meer
The memorandum allows foreign shipbuilders to build ships for the US Navy, provided they also invest in new American shipyards. It directs the establishment of a fifth naval shipyard, the first to be built in over 80 years, to bolster the Navy’s submarine and aircraft carrier repair capacity. The memorandum also includes improvements that make Gerald R. Ford–class aircraft carriers cheaper and faster to build.
Please join Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, for a conversation with Dr. Rebeccah Heinrichs to discuss the Trump administration’s decisive efforts to build the Navy needed for today’s intensifying threat environment.
-
Getting Past the US-Canada Impasse
1 oktober 2026 · 58 min
Relations between the United States and Canada are at their worst in generations. Lees meer
Following President Donald Trump’s invocation of tariffs and other comments about Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney mobilized Canadian nationalism to “stand up to Trump,” intensified efforts to diversify trade away from the US and toward communist China, and took steps to lead a bloc of middle powers to challenge “US hegemony.”
Bilateral differences are now much broader than trade and cut to the essence of current and future relations between the two countries. The prevailing view in the Trump administration seems to be that Canada needs America more than America needs Canada, and hence, the US “has the cards.” Is that correct? Are policies that further entrench Canadian nationalism and hostility to the US the only way to restore the traditionally strong relationship?
Join Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Matthew Boyse for a conversation with Canadian Shadow Minister for Canada-US Relations Shuvaloy Majumdar, MP (Calgary Heritage) as they discuss the state of the bilateral relationship and potential paths forward.
-
Regional Reactions to the US-China Summit
1 oktober 2026 · 1 uur
On September 24, President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet in Washington, following the Beijing summit in May and ahead of two more potential meetings in 2026. Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute for remarks and a panel discussion featuring Professor Takahiro Tsuchiya of Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Japan Chair Kenneth R. Weinstein, and Asia-Pacific Security Chair Patrick M. Cronin for a discussion on United States–China engagement and competition.
Moderated by Senior Fellow William Chou, the discussion will examine how Japan, Europe, South Korea, and Southeast Asia view the Trump–Xi summit and how the regions will act on their priorities going forward.
-
Rebuilding Venezuela: Progress and Challenges
28 september 2026 · 57 min
Venezuela’s political landscape shifted decisively on January 3, 2026, when American forces captured Nicolás Maduro, ending nearly 13 years of his rule and leaving his vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, as acting president. A veteran of the Chavista establishment, Rodríguez is governing under Washington’s three-phase plan of stabilization, recovery, and transition. Under her interim rule, Venezuela has restored diplomatic relations with the United States, released some political prisoners, opened the oil sector to foreign investment, and signed a package of energy agreements that includes a 100-year concession on 17 oil fields holding roughly 65 billion barrels of reserves. But authorities in Venezuela have declined to set an election date, María Corina Machado and Edmundo González remain outside the government-opposition talks, and June’s earthquakes, which killed more than 2,000 people, have hampered an already daunting recovery. Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute for a panel that will examine how far Rodríguez’s interim government can advance the country’s economic recovery without an electoral mandate or political reforms, and how Washington’s approach will shape Venezuela’s democratic transition.
-
A Conversation with Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe
25 september 2026 · 41 min
The Council of Europe is the oldest intergovernmental organization devoted to human rights in Europe. With 46 member states and nearly 700 million citizens, it has built a vast legal framework on human rights and democracy and has developed hundreds of conventions, treaties, and agreements since its founding in 1949. Lees meer
In the aftermath of the Cold War, for example, the council supported Eastern European countries as they overhauled their legal systems. Today, it has made Ukraine its top priority and has sought to hold Russia accountable for its violations of human rights.
Perhaps because the United States is not a member state—it enjoys observer status—the Council of Europe is not well known in Washington. Worse, it is sometimes mistaken for the European Union’s European Council.
Join Secretary General Alain Berset as he explains the Council of Europe’s role today and its future plans. After his remarks, he will sit down with Senior Fellow Peter Rough for a fireside chat.
-
Inertial Confinement Fusion Bolsters Strategic Deterrence
23 september 2026 · 1 uur 9 min
The United States’ highest national security priority is deterring major-power conflict with nuclear-armed adversaries. Investing in inertial confinement fusion is crucial to counter China, which is rapidly building fusion facilities and high-energy-density physics infrastructure to develop its arsenal. Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute’s Keystone Defense Initiative for a discussion of “Inertial Confinement Fusion Is Key to America’s Nuclear Deterrent,” a new policy memo authored by Senior Fellow Rebeccah Heinrichs, Former Principal Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration Madelyn Creedon and Special Competitive Studies Project Adviser Abigail Remler.
Dr. Rebeccah L. Heinrichs and Hon. Madelyn Creedon will join Dr. Mark Herrmann, associate director for weapon physics and design at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Dr. Keith LeChien, founder and chief technology officer of Pacific Fusion, to discuss the memo’s key takeaways and policy implications.
-
Colombia Recalibrates: Security, Stability, and the US Alliance
22 september 2026 · 1 uur 2 min
Colombia’s political landscape shifted decisively on August 7, 2026, when Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as president, ending the tenure of its first leftist government under Gustavo Petro. A former criminal defense lawyer running as a political outsider, de la Espriella campaigned on a sharp break from Petro’s “Total Peace” framework. He promised closer alignment with Washington, including expanded joint military operations against armed groups and drug-trafficking networks. Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute for a panel that will examine how far de la Espriella can advance economic and security reforms without a legislative majority and how his approach will shape Colombia’s relations with the United States.
-
The Transatlantic Watchtower: Iceland’s Role in Great Power Competition
16 september 2026 · 48 min
A founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Iceland has been a vital ally and partner to the United States for nearly 80 years. Positioned at the crossroads of the North Atlantic and the Arctic, its strategic importance to transatlantic security far exceeds its geographic size. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently described Iceland as the alliance’s “eyes and ears” for its critical role in securing vital transatlantic air and sea routes. Lees meer
How is Iceland adapting to the era of great power competition? What does the future hold for US-Icelandic bilateral relations?
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir, member of the Icelandic Parliament and leader of the Independence Party, on great power dynamics, Iceland’s role in transatlantic security, and bilateral cooperation.
-
Fixing Shipping and Shipbuilding: Plotting the Course Ahead
16 september 2026 · 2 uur 17 min
In April 2025, toward the beginning of the 119th Congress, Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) announced at Hudson Institute the introduction of the SHIPS For America Act, a comprehensive proposal to revitalize America’s commercial maritime industries. The bill is aligned with the Trump administration’s aggressive maritime agenda and enjoys strong bipartisan, bicameral support. Lees meer
Join Senators Kelly and Young as they return to Hudson to discuss the bill’s prospects during this Congress’s homestretch. After the senators’ remarks, two expert panels will discuss how the maritime industry is preparing to respond.
-
Senator Pete Ricketts on the Next Phase of Competition with China
15 september 2026 · 55 min
Chinese leader Xi Jinping is set to arrive in Washington this fall amid a tenuous bilateral relationship. Since the May summit between President Donald Trump and Xi in Beijing, artificial intelligence has solidified as a central axis of competition, Chinese support for Iran’s wartime economy continues, and major military and trade questions remain unresolved. Lees meer
What is the status of the relationship, and how can America maximize its leverage over the Chinese Communist Party—particularly in technology and AI?
Join Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, for a discussion on the state of the United States–China relationship and Congress’s role in the competition.
-
Contested Lebanon Israel, Iran, and US Strategy in a Fractured State
15 september 2026 · 57 min
On June 26, Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement brokered by the United States, the first bilateral understanding between Jerusalem and Beirut since the May 17 Agreement of 1983. The two governments committed to implement security measures under which the Israel Defense Forces would withdraw from southern Lebanon and be replaced by units of the Lebanese Armed Forces, which would oversee Hezbollah’s disarmament. Lees meer
Does this diplomatic breakthrough open the door to a new chapter for the Lebanese people? Can the Lebanese government muster the will to confront Hezbollah? Or does the consensus-based mode of governance in Beirut doom the possibility of real change? Experts from leading Washington think tanks will come together at Hudson Institute to discuss the prospects for stability in Lebanon and for future Israel-Lebanon relations.
-
Somaliland as a Strategic Partner in the Horn of Africa
15 september 2026 · 1 uur 27 min
Following the establishment of diplomatic ties between Somaliland and Taiwan in 2020, Somaliland returned to international news last year when Israel became the first country to recognize the self-governing state’s independence since Somaliland re-declared independence in 1991. Since then, the Iran war, the Houthis’ continued provocations in Yemen, China’s ongoing influence throughout Africa, as well as Russian and Iranian inroads in East Africa have highlighted the strategic importance of pro-Western Somaliland. Lees meer
In his first visit to the United States since winning the presidency in November 2024, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (“Irro”) will deliver a keynote speech at Hudson Institute followed by a fireside chat with Senior Fellow Joshua Meservey.
-
Strengthening the US-Japan Alliance Through Semiconductor and AI Partnerships
10 september 2026 · 2 uur 23 min
Cooperation in semiconductors and artificial intelligence is vital to the United States–Japan alliance. Two developments demonstrate the potential of this partnership: the Rapidus-IBM effort to produce advanced two-nanometer chips in Hokkaido, and Japan’s decision to be the first foreign partner in the Trump administration’s Genesis Mission for AI-powered research and development. Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute’s Japan Chair for a conference to showcase and strengthen US-Japan cooperation in semiconductors and AI. US Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Innovation and Engagement Bill Guidera will deliver an opening keynote before engaging in a fireside chat with Senior Fellow William Chou.
Later, Rapidus CEO Atsuyoshi Koike, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, and Director-General Kazumi Nishikawa of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry will deliver remarks. They will participate in a panel discussion and take questions from the audience.
-
Alliance at an Inflection Point: The US-ROK Partnership and Korea’s Future
10 september 2026 · 2 uur 48 min
President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung issued an ambitious alliance fact sheet last November. It codified security and economic priorities, including increased South Korean defense spending and investment in United States shipbuilding, US support for Seoul’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines, and preparations for the eventual transfer of wartime operational control. Lees meer
Both presidents are eager to reengage North Korea even as Pyongyang strengthens its nuclear arsenal and entrenches its status as a nuclear-armed state. An even larger strategic question is how Washington and Seoul will manage relations with China, whose growing power increasingly shapes both regional security and the global economy. Sustaining cooperation with Japan and other US allies and partners cuts across each of these challenges.
Join Hudson Institute for an in-person and livestreamed discussion bringing together American experts and some of South Korea’s leading analysts. The program will feature two panels examining the future of the US–South Korea alliance and the regional challenges it faces.
-
Transferring Spectrum from the Federal to the Non-federal Domain: The View from NTIA
9 september 2026 · 1 uur 8 min
Tricia Paoletta, senior advisor for spectrum at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, will join Hudson Institute’s Center for the Economics of the Internet to provide a keynote address on the Trump administration’s progress in managing and reallocating the electromagnetic radio frequency spectrum from the federal domain. Lees meer
Following the keynote address, a panel of experts will discuss the importance of spectrum in the non-federal domain.
-
How Nuclear Energy Is Ensuring Europe’s Secure, Low-Carbon Future
9 september 2026 · 1 uur 2 min
Amid continued geopolitical volatility, price instability, and rising demand driven by electrification and artificial intelligence, nuclear energy is a strategic pillar of Europe’s economic and technological security. Beyond providing secure, affordable, and clean electricity, nuclear power underpins the infrastructure needed for the AI economy while reducing dependence on volatile fossil fuel imports. Yet Europe remains significantly dependent on Russian nuclear fuel, fuel-cycle services, spare parts, and engineering expertise across several member states. Lees meer
This event will examine how expanding nuclear deployment can strengthen Europe’s energy and economic security by reducing import dependence, improving system reliability, and lowering emissions, while addressing key barriers, including financing, regulation, supply chain resilience, and strategic technology dependencies. The discussion will build upon the Center for the Study of Democracy’s 2026 Energy and Climate Security Risk Index.
Join Senior Fellow Matt Boyse for a discussion with senior US policymakers, nuclear industry leaders, and energy experts about how enhanced transatlantic cooperation on advanced nuclear technologies, fuel-cycle resilience, and next-generation energy infrastructure can reinforce European industrial competitiveness and long-term energy security.
-
Updating US Trade Policy: A Discussion on the Strategic and Economic Importance of Central Asia
3 september 2026 · 45 min
The Hudson Institute Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East was honored to host Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) for a conversation with Senior Fellow Ken Moriyasu on the strategic and economic importance of Central Asia. Lees meer
Central Asia is rapidly becoming one of the most important centers of global geopolitics. From August 30 to September 1, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, hosted an extraordinary convergence of world leaders surrounding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and the opening of the World Nomad Games. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and other regional leaders gathered in the capital, underscoring the intensifying competition for influence in Eurasia.
The discussion explored how expanded US engagement in Central Asia can help counter China’s global economic influence, reduce Russia’s energy leverage over Europe, and strengthen access to critical resources.
-
Nigeria’s Crisis: Islamist Terrorists, Violent Nomadic Herders, “Bandit” Gangs, and the US Foreign Policy Response
28 augustus 2026 · 1 uur 58 min
More Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than in any other country in the world. On October 31, 2025, President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a country of particular concern under the International Religious Freedom Act for having “engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom.” Lees meer
Hudson Institute and the Ben Franklin Fellowship host a two-panel discussion examining United States policy as it confronts the crisis of terror in Nigeria. The event features Senior Fellows Matt Boyse, Joshua Meservey and Nina Shea, as well as Greg Simpkins, former staff director of the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa.
The first panel covers the current state of play in Nigeria, including the upcoming 2027 national elections and possible considerations for US policymakers. The second panel analyzes policies to address militia attacks that freely target Christians.
-
Beyond the Postwar Era: The Japan Innovation Party's Vision
28 augustus 2026 · 34 min
Japan’s politics underwent a historic realignment last year when the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai) joined the Liberal Democratic Party in a governing coalition. As Japan confronts an increasingly difficult regional security environment, Ishin is now positioned to play an important role in shaping the country’s defense policy and the future direction of the United States–Japan alliance. Lees meer
Following the publication of Ishin’s new security policy paper, Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Riley Walters hosts Hitoshi Aoyagi, member of Japan’s House of Representatives and chair of Ishin’s Foreign Affairs Committee, as well as Alex Saito, member of the House of Representatives and chair of Ishin’s Policy Research Council, for a discussion about Japan’s evolving national security and defense outlook.
The conversation examines Ishin’s defense priorities, the party’s influence within the governing coalition, and the forthcoming revision of Japan’s national security documents.
-
Twenty Times I Almost Died: Lessons on Life and War
24 augustus 2026 · 49 min
In Twenty Times I Almost Died, available August 18, 2026, John Spencer recounts experiences spanning combat tours in Iraq, research trips through modern war zones, and more. He reveals important information that helps explain the changing character of warfare and its implications for strategists. Beyond providing lessons for the battlefield, Spencer offers guidance on personal growth and leadership, advising readers on how to live with purpose. Lees meer
Please join Hudson Institute for a fireside chat with Senior Fellow and Keystone Defense Initiative Director Rebeccah Heinrichs and John Spencer, chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point and co-director of the Urban Warfare Project. Major John Spencer (Ret.) and Dr. Heinrichs will discuss Twenty Times I Almost Died and how it can inform US defense policymakers as they navigate the evolving challenges and opportunities of contemporary warfare.
-
Six Months After Epic Fury: The State of the Conflict in the Gulf
19 augustus 2026 · 1 uur 1 min
Six months after the opening salvos of Operation Epic Fury, America and the Islamic Republic of Iran remain at loggerheads over the future of Tehran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz. Unresolved conflicts linger in Yemen, Lebanon, and Gaza. Meanwhile, a Unites States-brokered deal between Jerusalem and Beirut, as well as Washington’s engagement with leaders in Syria and Iraq, offer glimmers of hope. The Iranian regime’s shocking attacks on its Persian Gulf neighbors in recent months have raised profound questions about future security arrangements in the region. Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute Senior Fellows Michael Doran and Ludovic Hood, Research Fellow Zineb Riboua, and Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, for a timely discussion about the conflicts in the region and America’s strategic and diplomatic paths forward.
To request an RSVP, please reach out to Natalie Arbatman at narbatman@hudson.org.
-
Responding to Global Threats: A Conversation with Senator Rick Scott
18 augustus 2026 · 45 min
In July 2026, President Donald Trump granted Ukraine a license to coproduce Patriot interceptors and declared that the ceasefire in Iran was over as Tehran retaliated against US allies in the Gulf. At the same time, Moscow and Beijing completed joint naval drills off Qingdao, China, home to a major People's Liberation Army naval fleet. And on July 6, China test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile from the South China Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Lees meer
These developments are interconnected. As Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea continue to coordinate, America’s strategic responses in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific will determine whether deterrence holds. How can America respond to threats on multiple fronts, and is its defense industrial base equipped to sustain the effort?
Join Senior Fellow Dr. Rebeccah Heinrichs and Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) for a fireside discussion on how Congress can guide American strategy, the need to modernize the defense industrial base, and the vital role of allies and partners in an unstable international environment.
-
Taiwan’s National Mobilization Against the China Threat
24 juli 2026 · 57 min
As the Chinese Communist Party intensifies its campaign of political, economic, and military pressure against Taiwan, the island's government and civil society have moved to strengthen national resilience on multiple fronts. Lees meer
Please join Hudson Institute’s China Center as Miles Yu hosts a panel with key members of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan and the Democratic Progressive Party to examine Taiwan’s mobilization efforts against the CCP’s increasing threats.
The discussion will address Taiwan's ability to counter disinformation and cognitive warfare, strengthen supply chain and economic security, and build public awareness of gray zone tactics. The panel will also address how Taiwan engages with international partners to reinforce democratic resilience in the face of sustained external pressure.
-
A Conversation on US Communications Law
24 juli 2026 · 1 uur
A New Look at US Communications Law is a timely book that explores the evolution of communications law in response to new technologies. It analyzes nearly every major topic of contemporary communications law, including the public interest, common carriage, wireless communications, privacy, and the First Amendment. Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Robert McDowell for a discussion of the book and communications law with the authors, Harold Furchtgott-Roth, Kirk Arner, and Arielle Roth.
-
The US-Israel Economic Partnership: A Farewell Conversation with Minister Noach Hacker
21 juli 2026 · 54 min
As Minister Noach Hacker concludes his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economic Affairs in Washington, Hudson Institute's Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East invites you to join a farewell fireside chat with Senior Fellow Michael Doran. Minister Hacker has been a key advocate for deepening the US–Israel economic relationship, overseeing landmark cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and defense technology. The conversation will trace the arc of that partnership, from its foundations in joint research and development and trade to its acceleration in the wake of October 7, 2023, and the war with Iran. As the region enters a new strategic phase, Hudson is honored to host Minister Hacker for what promises to be a candid farewell discussion. Lees meer
-
Takeaways from Ankara: Debriefing the 2026 NATO Summit with Representative Mike Turner
20 juli 2026 · 45 min
The 2026 North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Ankara, Turkey, provided significant deliverables: a €70 billion pledge of military assistance for Ukraine, President Donald Trump's announcement that Kyiv would be licensed to manufacture Patriot air defense systems, and a declaration reaffirming allied commitment to The Hague defense spending targets. Lees meer
But questions remain over America's evolving role in the alliance and broader European security architecture.
Please join Senior Fellow Dr. Rebeccah Heinrichs and Representative Mike Turner (R-OH) to discuss the summit following his return from Ankara, where he served as part of a bipartisan congressional delegation.
-
The Western Balkans: A View from Vienna with Austrian Minister for Europe, Integration, and Family Claudia Bauer
17 juli 2026 · 37 min
Few countries in central and eastern Europe have as much influence in the Balkans as Austria. Lees meer
For centuries, Austria has forged deep personal connections with the region. The imperial legacy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is visible in the architecture of Zagreb and Sarajevo, and during the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s, refugees fled into the heart of the Alps. More recently, Vienna has been to the Balkans what Miami is to Latin America: a gateway facilitating trade and movement. Among Balkan hands in the United States, Vienna’s Schwechat airport is familiar terrain.
While the US has supported programs that promote economic connectivity in the region, like the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), Austria plays a unique role in the Balkans through such areas as financial services. Moreover, Austrian officials like Valentin Inzko have shaped diplomacy in the Balkans, while the Austrian Bundesheer has deployed to the region as part of the Common Security and Defence Policy and other missions. Today, officials in Austria and elsewhere are discussing how the Western Balkans can be brought into the European Union.
Join Senior Fellow Peter Rough as he welcomes Claudia Bauer, minister for Europe, Integration, and Family in the Federal Chancellery of Austria, for a policy address followed by a fireside chat on how Austria sees EU enlargement in the Western Balkans.
-
The Future of US Foreign Policy in the Middle East with Representative Mike Lawler
17 juli 2026 · 50 min
For years, the Middle East has been one of the most volatile regions in the world. And United States foreign policy toward the region often changes drastically with each administration. Lees meer
Today, a fundamentally new regional order is emerging. A weakened Iran has attempted to exercise strategic leverage over one of the world’s most critical waterways. Russian influence continues to recede, underscored by Bashar al-Assad’s fall in Syria, and Beijing seeks to project its influence wherever it can. Meanwhile, the US government continues to prioritize the deepening of security and economic partnerships across the Middle East, and with partners once thought to be adversaries.
America’s role during this transformational period is more crucial than ever, but the US faces heightened scrutiny at home and abroad. Policymakers need to assess the current strategic environment to chart a path forward for US foreign policy in the Middle East under dramatically altered political, economic, and security dynamics.
Join Representative Mike Lawler (NY-17), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, for a conversation with Senior Fellow Joel Rayburn on the emerging Middle East security order and the future of American strategy in the region.
-
Taiwan’s Institutional Defense: Countering CCP Infiltration and Transnational Repression
13 juli 2026 · 1 uur 3 min
The Chinese Communist Party’s infiltration, transnational repression, and legal warfare are no longer security challenges limited to Taiwan or the Indo-Pacific. They now increasingly threaten the United States’ national security and the resilience of democratic institutions. Taiwan stands on the front line of authoritarian influence operations and has seen firsthand how they can gradually erode democratic systems before conduct clearly crosses the threshold for criminal prosecution. So Taiwan is both a target of CCP pressure and an early warning system for the democratic world. Its experience can help the US and its allies better defend democracy and understand how authoritarian infiltration evolves. Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute’s China Center as Miles Yu hosts a panel examining Taiwan’s experience in handling national security cases, foreign interference, technology theft, election influence, proxy networks, and gray-zone legal warfare. The discussion will explore how authoritarian influence exploits democratic openness, social trust, local networks, and legal ambiguity.
-
Japan’s Role in the Indo-Pacific: A Conversation with Shigeru Kitamura, Former National Security Adviser of Japan
13 juli 2026 · 1 uur 6 min
Japan has emerged as a central pillar of Indo-Pacific security, playing an increasingly important role in strengthening deterrence, supporting regional stability, and deepening cooperation with the United States and other democratic partners. Lees meer
Join Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Jason Hsu for a conversation with the Hon. Shigeru Kitamura, former secretary general of Japan's National Security Secretariat and former director of Cabinet Intelligence. As one of Japan's foremost national security leaders and a close adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Kitamura helped shape Japan's modern national security strategy and economic security architecture.
The discussion will examine Japan's evolving security posture in the Indo-Pacific, the future of the US-Japan alliance, economic security resilience, and the strategic implications for the US-China relationship, Taiwan, and the broader region.
-
America’s Competitive Edge: Why Antitrust, Standards, and Intellectual Property Matter
8 juli 2026 · 47 min
Join us for an exclusive luncheon conversation with Dina Kallay, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for International, Policy, and Appellate at the United States Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. Lees meer
Moderated by Hudson Senior Fellow Urska Petrovcic, the discussion will explore how antitrust, technology standards, and intellectual property shape innovation and competition in critical sectors. Kallay will also analyze what recent policy developments mean for American leadership in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
-
The Eurasian Heartland Arrives: Kyrgyzstan’s Seat on the UN Security Council
2 juli 2026 · 1 uur 18 min
For the first time in its history, Kyrgyzstan will serve on the United Nations Security Council—winning a non-permanent seat for the 2027–28 term in a vote at the UN General Assembly. It is only the second time a Central Asian nation has held this position, after Kazakhstan in 2017–18. Lees meer
The election reflects a broader shift in how the international community understands Central Asia’s place in global affairs. Long treated as a peripheral region, the Eurasian heartland is increasingly central to questions of connectivity and the future of the international order.
Ambassador Edil Baisalov, Kyrgyzstan’s newly appointed envoy to the United States and former deputy prime minister, joins Senior Fellow Ken Moriyasu for a conversation about why Kyrgyzstan sought this seat, how it campaigned, and what it hopes to accomplish. What does Kyrgyzstan’s election signal about Central Asia’s rising profile—and what does a small, landlocked nation bring to one of the world’s most consequential tables?
-
Securing American Data: A Conversation with Congressman Nathaniel Moran
2 juli 2026 · 57 min
From surveillance-capable applications to data-harvesting platforms, foreign adversaries—particularly the Chinese Communist Party—are exploiting technology to access American data at an unprecedented scale. This information can give adversaries decisive strategic advantages and give foreign competitors an unfair footing over American businesses in global markets. Lees meer
Ensuring that American businesses do not rely on foreign technology is both a privacy issue and a national security imperative. Policymakers should reform incentive structures to make national security profitable for American businesses.
Join Representative Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) for a fireside discussion with Senior Fellow Jason Hsu to discuss the congressman’s bill, H.R. 7509, the Deterring Adversarial Access to Americans’ Data Act, and Congress’s role in facilitating public-private understanding in an era of great power competition.
-
Securing America’s AI Advantage: A Discussion on US Export Control Policy with Senator Jim Banks and Chairman Brian Mast
25 juni 2026 · 1 uur
-
Advancing American Interests through Trade, Investment, and Commercial Diplomacy: A Conversation with Under Secretary of Commerce William Kimmitt
19 juni 2026 · 47 min
As technology, supply chain resilience, and economic security become increasingly central to United States foreign policy and national security, trade and investment policy has taken on a leading role in advancing American interests abroad. Critical minerals, energy, artificial intelligence, and other strategic sectors have emerged as key areas for collaboration with allies and partners as Washington works to align markets, guard against adversarial manipulation, and leverage economic gains to create national security advantages. Lees meer
Join Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade William Kimmitt for a discussion with Executive Vice President Joel Scanlon on how the Trump administration’s trade and investment strategy is reshaping economic partnerships with allies across areas like industrial policy, digital services, and strategic competition.
-
Deterring Russia and China: Securing America’s Nuclear Future
18 juni 2026 · 47 min
For the first time, the United States is preparing to deter two nuclear adversaries, Russia and China. In today's post-New START environment, US adversaries remain committed to weakening American resolve and undermining Washington’s commitment to its allies. Lees meer
China is engaging in a historic expansion of its nuclear forces and has diversified its delivery systems across land, sea, and air. According to US Department of War estimates, China could possess up to 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035.
Despite the costs associated with President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia has continued to devote significant resources to modernizing its nuclear program.
Join Senior Fellow and Keystone Defense Initiative Director Dr. Rebeccah Heinrichs and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration Brandon Williams for a discussion on the administration's priorities in strengthening the US nuclear enterprise.
-
The Annual Czech and Slovak Freedom Lecture
17 juni 2026 · 1 uur 8 min
Hudson Institute is pleased to host the 2026 annual Czech and Slovak Freedom Lecture. Established in 2000 as a joint activity of the Czech and Slovak Embassies, the American Friends of the Czech Republic, and Friends of Slovakia to commemorate the Velvet Revolution, the choice of speaker and topic alternates annually between the Czech and Slovak groups. Click here for a list of all previous lectures. Lees meer
This year’s speaker is H.E. Andrej Droba, Slovak ambassador to the United States, in one of his first major addresses since assuming his position in November 2025. In his lecture, "America250 and Slovak–US Relations," Ambassador Droba will celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence and reflect on the enduring partnership between Slovakia and the United States as he looks for opportunities to increase transatlantic cooperation.
The lecture will be followed by a fireside chat with Matt Boyse, senior fellow, Center on Europe and Eurasia.
-
The Code as Witness: COVID Origins, Scientific Accountability, and Preventing the Next Pandemic
17 juni 2026 · 1 uur
In The Code as Witness, which was published on June 9, Dr. Steven Quay shows how the genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 points directly to human engineering. He warns that irresponsible and unregulated gain-of-function research is accelerating, and that future pandemics may be far deadlier than COVID-19. The book also lays out policy recommendations that could prevent such outbreaks while still allowing important research to continue. Lees meer
Join Hudson as David Asher sits down with Dr. Quay for a fireside chat. Asher will bring his national security, intelligence, and investigative experience to one of the most consequential questions of our time: how the pandemic began, what the genetic evidence shows, and how the United States can prevent the next biological catastrophe.
Senator Roger Marshall, who has been a leading voice for stronger oversight of high-risk biological research, will open the program by framing the stakes for Congress, national security, and public health.
-
Winning the Innovation Competition
16 juni 2026 · 1 uur 50 min
Today’s wars in Ukraine and the Middle East show how adaptation is becoming the central military competition. The side that can field new tactical or technical innovations faster gains an advantage and can impose compounding costs on enemy forces. To win this competition, the United States Department of War implemented a new strategy to accelerate new capabilities by better leveraging the private sector and focusing government research where it is uniquely needed. These changes are beginning to bear fruit on the battlefield. Lees meer
Artificial intelligence is arguably the Pentagon’s top technology priority. In addition to speeding planning and decision-making, AI is enabling a more adaptable US force and powering the next generation of autonomous systems. And AI is only one of several technologies where the US military can benefit from America’s world-leading commercial innovation sector.
Please join Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Dan Patt for a conversation with Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering Emil Michael about the Department of War’s efforts to bring AI to the battlefield and implement an innovation strategy that makes the most of America’s commercial and government research sectors. Following a fireside chat with the under secretary, a panel will discuss how adaptation is a new source of military advantage.
This event is part of Hudson Institute’s Apex Defense Conference series, which highlights the intersection of technology, military operations, and strategy. Hudson Institute hosts the Apex Conference in collaboration with Clarion Defence. To learn more about APEX 2027 participation or sponsorship opportunities, please visit apexdefense.org.