November 18, 2020
Contact: Wendy Robinson
National Security Institute and Duco Experts Publish New Report:
The U.S. Defense Industrial Base: Can It Compete In The Next Century?
Arlington, VA – On November 18, 2020, the National Security Institute at George Mason University and Duco Experts published a new report, The U.S. Defense Industrial Base: Can It Compete In The Next Century?
Over 100 national security, foreign policy, and intel experts provided their analysis of key provisions of the House- and Senate-passed versions of the FY 2021 NDAA, as well as on other critical national security topics in a survey. This report summarizes the survey’s findings and among the takeaways, the report found, “There is near consensus that the United States’ military advantage is shrinking relative to key adversaries and one of the means of addressing this trend is by making it easier to procure domestic commercial technologies.” Experts also almost unanimously support NDAA provisions that would require DoD to protect defense-sensitive technology and data from China and provisions that would prohibit the federal government from contracting with entities that use Chinese telecommunications equipment or services at a significant scale.
“It is clear national security experts are concerned that America’s military advantage is in decline relative to our key adversaries,” said Sidney Olinyk, Founder and CEO at Duco Experts. “Experts overwhelmingly recommend a twofold approach for DoD: do more to protect U.S. defense technology from foreign competitors, and work harder to develop a more robust and agile defense industrial base.”
“This report highlights the critical threat that foreign adversaries, including China, present to our nation in coming years and the need for our Defense Department to fundamentally modernize the way it builds and buys new technology,” said Jamil N. Jaffer, Founder and Executive Director of the National Security Institute at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School.
Experts who took the survey and shared their insight include:
- (Ret.) Keith Alexander, former Director of the NSA and former Founding Commander of U.S. Cyber Command
- Nora Bensahel, Visiting Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
- Richard Ledgett, former Deputy Director of the NSA
- Peter Singer, former Director of the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence at Brookings
- David Shedd, former Acting Director of DIA
- Gen. (Ret.) John Wharton, Ret. Commanding General of the Army Research, Development & Engineering Command
The full report is available here.
About the National Security Institute
The National Security Institute serves as a platform for research, teaching, scholarship, and policy development that incorporates a realistic assessment of the threats facing the United States and its allies, as well as an appreciation of the legal and practical challenges facing U.S. intelligence, defense, law enforcement, homeland security, and cybersecurity communities. NSI draws on the experience of its fellows, as well as its highly distinguished advisory board and faculty, to produce timely research and policy materials that deliver insightful analysis and actionable recommendations to senior policymakers in the White House and key departments and agencies, as well as those on Capitol Hill.
About Duco Experts
Duco Experts is a consulting firm reinventing the way organizations access and hire experts to help solve complex global challenges. With a global roster of hundreds of world-class experts and partner organizations in over 55 countries, Duco builds and manages project-specific teams to deliver innovative solutions. Duco’s clients have direct access to hundreds of vetted experts around the globe who serve as an extension of their team. Duco’s roster includes former high-ranking government officials; international academia, technology, and security experts; and other industry executives.
About George Mason
George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls more than 33,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility.
About the Scalia Law School
The Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University is defined by three words: Learn. Challenge. Lead. Students receive an outstanding legal education (Learn), are taught to critically evaluate prevailing orthodoxy and pursue new ideas (Challenge), and, ultimately, are well prepared to distinguish themselves in their chosen fields (Lead). It has been one of America’s top-ranked law schools for the last fifteen years.