NSI 2020: Technology, Innovation, and American National Security Launch Event ft. Rep. Jim Langevin (RI-02)

The National Security Institute was excited to host the first two events in NSI 2020, our year-long project that focused on two of America’s most pressing national security challenges: preserving U.S. technology innovation leadership and the rise of China.

On Wednesday, July 29, 2020, NSI hosted the launch of NSI 2020: Technology, Innovation, and American National Security – Preserving American Leadership in a New Decade featuring Representative Jim Langevin (RI-02) interviewed by David Sanger, National Security Correspondent and Senior Writer, The New York Times.

Throughout much of the 20^th century, the United States led the world in technological innovation, with the new systems and industries arising from this leadership driving sustained economic growth and underpinning US global military capabilities. Today, however, America’s preeminent role in driving innovation—and leading the world—is being threatened, if not wholly undermined. NSI 2020 explored what the U.S. should do to ensure its global economic and political leadership, including how the U.S. government and private sector might work together to respond to national security threats and economic competition while promoting innovation.

Our kickoff event featured a fireside chat with Representative Jim Langevin (RI-02) and David Sanger, National Security Correspondent and Senior Writer at The New York Times, discussing the future of U.S. cyber strategy as outlined by the Cyberspace Solarium Commission’s recent report and how the U.S. government can respond to the recent Techlash without impairing US innovation, economic growth, and national security.

Speaker Bios

Rep. Jim Langevin (RI-02)

Rep. Langevin has long been a leader on issues related to technology and national security. Rep. Langevin is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, where he serves as a member of the Subcommittees on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications. He is also Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus. Most recently, Rep. Langevin served ...

David E. Sanger

David E. Sanger is a national security correspondent and a senior writer. In a 36-year reporting career for The New York Times, he has been on three teams that have won Pulitzer Prizes, most recently in 2017 for international reporting. His newest book, “The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage and Fear in the Cyber Age,’’ examines the emergence of cyberconflict as the primary way large and small states are competing and undercutting each other, changing the ...

Other Events in the NSI 2020 Series

On August 5, 2020, NSI hosted Michèle Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and Ali Velishi, host, “Velshi”, MSNBC, for the launch event of its Rise of China: Confronting China’s Challenge to the World Order project, to discuss the return of great power competition and how America should rise to the Chinese challenge. For more information, click here.

On August 13, 2020, NSI hosted a virtual panel as part of its Technology, Innovation, and American National Security, to discuss how the U.S. government can address legitimate public concerns without impairing US innovation, economic growth, and national security. For more information, click here.