The Trump administration has taken unprecedented measures to increase the pressure on Venezuela’s repressive Maduro regime, which illegitimately maintained power despite losing the July 2024 election. The United States has doubled the bounty on Nicolás Maduro’s capture to $50 million, designated two Venezuelan criminal groups as foreign terrorist organizations, and deployed naval assets to the southern Caribbean to disrupt drug trafficking operations. Most recently, the US stationed 10 F-35 fighter jets and other assets in Puerto Rico. Washington’s escalation is a response to the continued threat the criminal regime poses. Maduro’s Venezuela has emerged as Latin America’s greatest destabilizing force, serving as a major sanctuary for transnational criminal organizations, a critical node in international drug trafficking networks, and a strategic foothold for Russian and Chinese influence projection. What does America’s show of force mean for its broader strategy toward Venezuela? Could sustained US pressure fundamentally alter the political dynamics within the regime? Can outside pressure sufficiently weaken Maduro’s grip on power? Join Adjunct Fellow Daniel Batlle and a panel of experts as they examine these questions.
After decades of growth, global electricity access has hit a downturn in recent years, especially in Africa. Roughly half the population of sub-Saharan Africa still lacks electricity, limiting access to water and modern medicine and preventing the expansion of industry. Yet international organizations like the International Energy Agency and the World Bank have prioritized reducing emissions over eliminating poverty. Many development agencies stopped granting loans or finance for projects that either produce fossil fuels or burn them to generate electricity. This has forced more sub-Saharan Africans to burn wood, dung, or biomass, sources that produce more emissions, pollution, and health risks than fossil fuels. The West’s refusal to fund fossil fuel energy in Africa has also created an opportunity for China to increase its influence on the continent. Hudson’s Zineb Riboua will host Professor Brenda Shaffer, faculty member of the US Naval Postgraduate School and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center, to discuss international energy policy shifts that can help address the challenge.
In February 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump announced the US-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce, and Technology) for the Twenty-First Century. Though India is not an American security ally, changing geopolitics have drawn the two democracies closer together in the last two decades. Stronger defense and military partnership benefits both parties’ core strategic interests. The US and India have expanded their joint military exercises, defense trade, and cooperation in the defense tech arena. But the two countries can do more. Dr. Aparna Pande will host an expert panel to discuss how Washington and New Delhi can increase security collaboration to bolster security both bilaterally and multilaterally in the broader Indo-Pacific region. This event is part of the Motwani Jadeja US-India Dialogue Series funded by the Motwani Jadeja Family Foundation.
In May, Nippon Steel finalized the terms of its historic $26 billion partnership with United States Steel. Nippon Steel agreed to make invaluable investments and introduce cutting-edge technology in U.S. Steel’s facilities. By doing so, the partnership will strengthen the American steel industry, help workers and communities, and promote American national and economic security. It is an integral part of the administration’s larger efforts to revitalize American industry. To celebrate this achievement, Hudson Institute’s Japan Chair will welcome the decision-makers and stakeholders who made the deal possible: Senator David McCormick (R-PA) and representatives from Nippon Steel, U.S. Steel, and the Pittsburgh community. First, Senator McCormick and Executive Vice President Joel Scanlon will discuss why the senator supported this partnership, the deal’s significance for Pennsylvanian and American industrial policy, and how it advances US national security and relations with Japan. Then, Japan Chair Deputy Director William Chou will sit down with representatives from both companies and the local community. They will talk about why this deal supports American workers and communities, the major capital and technological investment, and how Nippon Steel’s investment advances American industrial and economic strength.
China’s sophisticated hybrid warfare is a key aspect of its campaign to undermine Taiwan’s resilience and discourage American involvement in the island’s security. On top of conventional military threats, Beijing uses disinformation and economic leverage to coerce and diplomatically isolate Taiwan. In the event of a crisis, China will likely intensify its use of these tactics to harm the United States military’s readiness and undermine support for intervention among the American populace. To respond, the US needs to increase its awareness of Beijing’s unconventional playbook, enact measures to bolster Taiwan’s defenses, and strengthen US influence in the Indo-Pacific. Join Hudson Institute’s China Center and the Taiwan United Nations Alliance (TAIUNA) as Dr. Miles Yu hosts a panel of experts and policymakers on how the US and its partners can strengthen security cooperation to defend Taiwan.
Given the scope and scale of the political prisoner crisis across China, the United States needs to do more to secure political prisoners’ release. The Chinese Communist Party holds at least 1.8 million Uyghurs in political prison camps and nearly 1,000 political prisoners in Hong Kong. In addition, the CCP extrajudicially detains many Tibetans, Christians (including pastors), and political dissidents. This is largely because the CCP sees political prisoners as an essential method of quashing dissent and retaining its power.With that in mind, the United States should have equally robust mechanisms for setting political prisoners free. Congress has a substantial apparatus for securing political prisoners’ release. But the executive branch pursues political prisoner release in a more ad hoc manner. A new office of political prisoner advocacy in the executive branch, with a special envoy of ambassador rank, could bolster existing US efforts to free political prisoners.
Taiwan sits at the intersection of geopolitics and global supply chains, and its democracy, technological prowess, and strategic location make it both a symbol and a target. As tensions with China grow, the island faces not only the threat of a potential economic blockade or military invasion, but also the danger of cyberattacks. Cyber resilience is a vital component of deterring Chinese aggression against Taiwan.Join Hudson Senior Fellow Jason Hsu for a discussion with Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA), Rhombus Power Founder and CEO Dr. Anshu Roy, former Vice Minister for Policy of the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense and former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral (Ret.) Legislator Richard YK Chen, and RunSafe Security CEO Joseph Saunders as they explore the role of cyber resilience in the defense of Taiwan.
The two-year-old conflict in Sudan is disrupting one of Africa’s most important regions, threatening a major maritime shipping route, advancing American adversaries’ interests, and devastating the civilian population. Despite the Trump administration’s recent mediation effort, the war shows no sign of ending. Continued violence at the current level promises even more destructive ripple effects.Hudson Institute, in collaboration with the Israel-Africa Institute, is conducting a series of webinars analyzing the East Africa region. In this episode, experts discuss:The history of the Sudan conflict and the status of the fightingThe roles of Generals Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, Islamists factions, Iran, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United StatesSudan’s importance to Africa and the worldNext steps toward ending the world’s costliest ongoing conflict
The Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East will host Dr. Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council, for a conversation with Dr. Michael Doran. They will discuss the evolving global terrorist threat, the future of United States counterterrorism strategy, and how counterterrorism shapes US policy in the Middle East.
President Donald Trump has invited Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to the White House for a landmark summit aimed at ending decades of hostility. The leaders are expected to sign key agreements to establish lasting peace between their long-divided nations. Research Fellow Zineb Riboua will moderate a conversation on the potential implications of this historic accord with Senior Fellow Michael Doran and Damjan Krnjević Mišković, professor of practice at Azerbaijan’s ADA University and editor of the policy journal Baku Dialogues.
Peru is undergoing one of the most volatile political periods in its democratic history. President Dina Boluarte’s deeply unpopular administration faces compounding crises, from institutional paralysis to rising insecurity, that are testing the strength of Peru’s democratic foundations.Despite this turmoil, Peru’s economy is outperforming the region. Aided by high commodity prices and the world’s second-largest copper reserves, the country remains a key player in global supply chains.Now, Peru sits at the center of concerns over China’s growing presence in Latin America. The $3.5 billion Chancay megaport—Beijing’s most ambitious infrastructure project in the region—threatens to reshape South American trade flows and could give China new levers of political influence. Join Hudson Adjunct Fellow Daniel Batlle and a panel of leading analysts as they examine what lies ahead for Peru and whether the country can convert its economic potential into lasting security and sovereignty ahead of its 2026 elections.
For decades the United States Navy’s and Coast Guard’s fleets have been shrinking despite their increasing necessity. From the Gulf of America to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and beyond, US maritime forces have had to defend America and its allies with older and fewer ships and aircraft. The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act will inject billions of dollars into the US shipbuilding and maritime industrial base, which can help to restore US Navy and Coast Guard capacity. But turning funding into capability will not be easy. The US maritime industry needs to address worker shortages, crumbling infrastructure, and inadequate commercial demand.Join Hudson Senior Fellows Bryan Clark and Michael Roberts for a discussion with government and industry leaders about the challenges the US Navy and Coast Guard face amid modernization efforts and how new legislation and regulation can help restore America’s maritime superiority.
Join Hudson Institute Senior Fellow and Director for the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East Michael Doran for a conversation with Reverend Johnnie Moore, president of the Congress of Christian Leaders and founder of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. As the conflict in Gaza persists, humanitarian efforts are increasingly entangled with political narratives and media manipulation. Moore will discuss the foundation’s mission, the challenges of operating alongside Hamas and the United Nations, and the role of faith-based initiatives in delivering aid in a contested information space.
Iran has entered a new phase of strategic uncertainty after successful Israeli and American military operations dismantled the Islamic Republic’s nuclear infrastructure, fractured its proxy network, and significantly weakened its position in the region.Senior Fellows Michael Doran, Bryan Clark, and Can Kasapoğlu will explore the implications of this shift for the United States, Israel, and their partners and discuss how Iran might respond.
The United States and Canada are at an impasse on trade. Amid rising trade tensions, former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney rode a wave of nationalism to the Canadian premiership, with promises of “standing up for Canada” and “ensuring a good deal” for the country. Meanwhile, many in Washington believe Canada needs the US more than the US needs Canada. But is that assumption accurate? Are policies that encourage Canadian nationalism the only viable response?A new report from the Center for North American Prosperity and Security (CNAPS), The Grand Bargain: The Path to Prosperity, Security and Strength, proposes a broader framework. Rather than focusing narrowly on tariffs, the report recommends expanding talks to include critical minerals, metals, and energy. It also urges the two countries to resolve lingering issues, from military burden-sharing to border enforcement.Join Hudson Senior Fellow Matt Boyse for a discussion with former Canadian Minister for Trade and Economic Development Ed Fast and CNAPS Executive Director Jamie Tronnes, as they explore a new path forward for US-Canada relations and what other allies can learn from the process.
Major conflicts and shifting geopolitical alignments are reshaping the global security landscape. In light of this, many of Taiwan’s partners are pressuring Taipei to rethink its defense posture, resilience mechanisms, and strategic deterrence. The war in Ukraine has offered invaluable lessons in asymmetric defense, civil-military coordination, and the integration of technology and innovation on the battlefield. Facing an existential threat from China, Taiwan urgently needs to incorporate these lessons into its security strategy.General David H. Petraeus (US Army, ret.), coauthor of Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine and former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, will join Hudson’s Jason Hsu for a conversation about what the war in Ukraine has revealed about the future of warfare—and what these lessons mean for Taiwanese security.
Senior Fellow and Director of Hudson Institute’s Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East Michael Doran, Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs President Dan Diker, and Center for Security Policy Senior Analyst David Wurmser will discuss the shifting dynamics in the Middle East following the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in an event moderated by Research Fellow Zineb Riboua. They will examine how Israel’s decision to act independently has impacted its relationship with the United States, what the war’s outcome signals for Iran’s regional ambitions, and how key players like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Syria are recalibrating in its aftermath.
As reports emerge of widespread starvation in Gaza and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steven Witkoff works to negotiate the creation of a humanitarian corridor, Nina Shea will interview Reverend Johnnie Moore, the executive chairman of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The foundation, backed by both Israel and the United States, has been distributing food aid to Gazans since May. Notably, GHF staff have denied the media narrative that Israeli Defense Forces personnel have killed Gazans seeking aid at its distribution points.The interview will examine GHF’s accomplishments and the immense challenges it faces in providing aid to two million people in an active war zone. Reverend Moore will also discuss how the GHF can help distribute UN food aid that is currently sequestered in trucks inside the Gaza Strip—a request that the secretary general and his deputy at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have thus far ignored.
Despite more than a decade of reforms to the United States Department of Defense’s acquisition processes, the Pentagon still struggles to field systems that take advantage of new technologies at the pace and scale routinely seen in commercial products and services. Procurement officials have sought to improve results within the current framework. But the DoD budgeting process often hinders their ability to reallocate funding from failing programs to those that address real operational problems.Fielding capabilities via services contracts is not a comprehensive solution to systemic acquisition practices. But it would circumvent bureaucratic roadblocks and deliver innovative technologies to warfighters more quickly. Buying capabilities as a service can enable the co-evolution of technology and tactics, helping commanders develop adequate solutions to their operational problems and make continued improvements to fielded capabilities.Join Hudson Senior Fellow Bryan Clark, Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA), General Mike Minihan (US Air Force, Ret.), and experts from the defense industry for a series of discussions examining the challenges and opportunities the Pentagon may face when adopting a services model to meet urgent capability needs.
The Pentagon, defense companies, and think tanks all conclude that the United States’ weapons inventories are woefully inadequate for a war with China. But manufacturers cannot surge production of today’s exquisite munitions because these weapons depend on specialized components and techniques. Yet contrary to this popular wisdom, Ukrainian forces have found that weapons stockpiled in large numbers are often rendered obsolete by enemy countermeasures before the stockpile is depleted.A recent Hudson report suggested that the US Department of Defense should address this contradiction by adopting a new family of modular weapons that emphasize adaptability and scale. In this approach, most components—including radios, computers, servomotors, and sensors—would come from commercial sources. Weapons-specific components like structures, warheads, and propulsion would be manufacturable at scale and on demand.At Hudson, Senior Fellows Bryan Clark and Nadia Schadlow will host military and industry experts to discuss this new approach to weapon development and the DoD’s progress in fielding adaptable, scalable weapons systems.