The Future of American Strategy Starts Now

Why It Matters

Delaying a strategic overhaul risks ceding technological, economic and geopolitical advantage to rivals and undermines U.S. capacity to shape outcomes on climate, security and global governance. The CFR initiative aims to produce practical, cross-ideological ideas that could influence policy choices at a critical inflection point.

Summary

A period of historic geopolitical change is forcing a rethink of U.S. strategy as old assumptions about trade, alliances and influence erode. Risks include technological and economic dependence on China, a shifting balance in the Middle East, and growing competition for influence in Africa, while power increasingly rests on data, semiconductors, energy and AI as much as military force. Institutions that once enabled cooperation on trade, health and climate are fraying, creating urgency for faster industrial mobilization, a proactive AI policy, and a stronger, more autonomous Europe. In response, the Council on Foreign Relations is launching the Future of American Strategy Initiative to convene diverse thinkers and citizens to craft new strategic concepts for a pluralistic, rapidly transforming world.

Original Description

America’s global role is more contested and uncertain than at any time since World War II, and the time is ripe for a fundamental reevaluation of the nation’s strategy. To meet this moment, the Council on Foreign Relations is launching the Future of American Strategy Initiative, a multiyear effort that aims to answer one defining question: Where does America go from here?

Twenty-seven CFR experts have kickstarted the conversation on CFR.org.

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This work represents the views and opinions solely of the author. The Council on Foreign Relations is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher, and takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

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