Defense & Aerospace Report DEFAERO Daily Pod [Oct 29, 25] Justin Sherman on Navigating Technology and National Security
Oct 29, 2025
Justin Sherman, founder of Global Cyber Strategies and a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council, dives into the complexities of technology and national security. He traces the origins of U.S. export controls back to the colonial era and discusses the economic tradeoffs of regulation. Sherman highlights challenges with controlling technology in today’s interconnected world, particularly with adversaries like China. He emphasizes the need for transparency in software and AI regulations and outlines the lessons learned from the TikTok debate on policy consistency.
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Export Controls Have Deep Historical Roots
- Export controls date back to the colonial era and expanded through laws like the Trading with the Enemy Act and the Export Administration Act.
- Controls shifted from physical goods to technical information and digital technologies over the 20th century.
Economic Tradeoffs And The Limits On Intangibles
- Export controls impose economic tradeoffs and can be calibrated to protect security while allowing industry competitiveness.
- Attempts to control intangible software or models online often fail compared with controlling physical components.
Use The Full National-Security Toolbox
- Map the full toolbox: export controls, CFIUS, Team Telecom, outbound investment review and supply-chain authorities.
- Use these levers selectively to raise costs for adversaries rather than expecting perfect prevention.
