16: Where Tech Meets Defense Meets The Industrial Base (feat. Nadia Schadlow)
Dec 13, 2023
auto_awesome
Nadia Schadlow, a Hudson Senior Fellow, discusses the messy world and the decline of American power, the weaknesses in the defense industrial base, the future of AI and the need for collaboration, and the role of think tanks in addressing challenges in tech and defense industries.
Restoring deterrence is essential to protect and advance America's interests amidst colluding adversarial actors and major technological advancements.
Neglect of the defense industrial base and resistance to change pose a risk to American power and the ability to support allies in crisis situations.
Deep dives
Restoring Deterrence in a Messy World
In the Reagan Defense Forum, the importance of restoring deterrence was a critical topic. The world is undergoing a massive reordering, and adversarial actors like Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia are colluding against the interests of the United States. These powers have the capabilities to disrupt and drive this realignment. Besides geopolitical shifts, major technological advancements also challenge our institutions and organizations. However, the government struggles to keep up with organizational changes, posing a risk. The challenge lies in navigating the messy world, reestablishing deterrence, and facing a relative decline in American power amidst dissension at home.
Decline in American Capability and Leadership
The decline in American capability and leadership is driven by a combination of factors. While globalization and shifting world dynamics play a role, active policy choices also contribute. The neglect of the defense industrial base over the past decades is a prime example. The Defense Department and experts have long warned about the weaknesses in various sectors of the defense industry. Despite this knowledge, little action was taken to address these vulnerabilities. Now, urgency arises from situations like the crisis in Ukraine and the need to support allies, but organizations and government entities remain resistant to change and struggle to adapt.
Industrial Policy and the Need for Transparency
Conservatives grappling with the concept of industrial policy should focus on key areas where market forces alone may not be sufficient. These areas include critical national security technologies like microchips, where the private sector has not delivered enough. Transparency in how government funding is spent is crucial, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and outcomes are achieved. Additionally, demands for externalities unrelated to the core mission of companies should be minimized, allowing them to focus on technological advancements without unnecessary burdens. Competition among states can drive innovation and create favorable environments for businesses. Moreover, think tanks like Hudson play a vital role in analyzing problems, developing solutions, and providing options to policymakers who lack the time and resources for in-depth research.
The Arsenal of Democracy team was invited last week to the Tenth Annual Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, to record conversations reckoning with the intersection of technology, innovation, and defense. Hudson Senior Fellow Nadia Schadlow joined Marshall Kosloff in person to discuss why accountability and follow-through are necessary to procuring and acting on technology that protects and advances America's interests.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode