Founded in 1961 by strategist Herman Kahn, Hudson Institute challenges conventional thinking and helps manage strategic transitions through interdisciplinary st...
The Horn of Africa is one of the world’s most sensitive and strategic regions. It overlooks vital shipping lanes that connect Asia and Europe, shares a maritime border with the Middle East, and has thousands of miles of Indian Ocean coastline. The region is also home to Africa’s second most populous country, Ethiopia; one of the continent’s most important ports, Djibouti; and Chinese, American, and other military bases. But the Horn’s deep political tensions and history of conflict make it difficult to engage in effective diplomacy. Hudson Institute, in collaboration with the Israel-Africa Institute, is conducting a series of webinars analyzing this important region, especially the role that outside actors play.In this episode, experts discuss what large powers such as the United States, China, and Russia are doing in the Horn, their strategies and motivations, and the impact they might have on the region.
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53:38
Fully Exploiting Autonomous Military Systems
Drones’ prominent role in the Russia-Ukraine War and air strikes across the Middle East have demonstrated that the future of warfare will be automated. Despite being the first to field robotic systems, the United States military has been slow to embrace autonomous capabilities at scale or take operators out of the decision-making loop. The Department of Defense’s hesitance is due, in part, to legitimate concerns about the reliability of automated capabilities. But adversaries like China or Russia may not share these concerns and are likely to deploy fully autonomous systems in future confrontations.Senior Fellow Bryan Clark will sit down for a fireside chat with AeroVironment Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Wahid Nawabi about how the US military can realize these opportunities in autonomous systems. Then a panel of experts from the DoD’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) and the defense industry will discuss the way forward for autonomy in US command and control systems, weapons, and vehicles as well as the role of data in achieving these goals.
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1:10:42
Building a Sustainable and Successful Semiconductor Ecosystem Under the Trump Administration
The next four years will be critical for American industrial policy as Washington seeks to strengthen its position in global semiconductor fabrication. Building on the Trump administration’s efforts to reshore semiconductor design and manufacturing, policymakers and industry professionals will need to collaborate on a comprehensive plan to foster a robust semiconductor ecosystem in the United States.Senior Fellow Jason Hsu will moderate a discussion with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) Senior Vice President Peter Cleveland, ASML Head of US Government Affairs Jonathan Hoganson, Tokyo Electron Director of Government Affairs Paul Treadgold, and MediaTek Vice President of Government Relations Patrick Wilson. They will examine potential policy changes, structural challenges, and opportunities for the United States to leverage its partnerships and build a more sustainable domestic semiconductor ecosystem.
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1:32:25
The Future of Autonomous Undersea Warfare
The integration of uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) with Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines is transforming undersea warfare. This breakthrough enhances autonomous launch and recovery, extends stealth and survivability, and strengthens electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations in even the most complex undersea environments.Join Hudson Institute’s Bryan Clark for a panel discussion on how crewed-uncrewed teaming and advanced electronic warfare integration are redefining undersea dominance. The conversation will explore the next generation of autonomous maritime defense, where stealth, surveillance, and strike capabilities promise to reach new heights.
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Bending the Defense Cost Curve
The United States Department of Defense is unlikely to get the sustained funding required to achieve its desired scale and capabilities. Therefore, maintaining costs will be a central challenge for the department. Norm Augustine warned several decades ago about the punishing increases in platform costs, and operating costs have continued to climb. What capital and operational strategies should the department consider? To what extent should the DoD be concerned about deferred costs like veterans’ benefits? And how might the Pentagon address political and cultural obstacles to change?
Founded in 1961 by strategist Herman Kahn, Hudson Institute challenges conventional thinking and helps manage strategic transitions through interdisciplinary studies in defense, international relations, economics, energy, technology, culture, and law.
Hudson seeks to guide policymakers and global leaders in government and business through a robust program of publications, conferences, policy briefings, and recommendations.
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