WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

The American Edge Project’s (AEP) national security policy framework reflects decades of experience and expertise gained from leaders in the national security space. As the policy makes clear: the risks critical long-term national security consequences if it relinquishes its global leadership role in technology to foreign entities with diametrically different values, which put at risk the safety, privacy, and economic prosperity of Americans. AEP’s national security policy framework forges a path towards maintaining America’s technological edge globally through three key pillars: protecting the ability to innovate; securing U.S. technology, networks and data through enhanced cybersecurity; and advancing a democratic and open internet.

WHAT AEP MEMBERS ARE SAYING

“Very proud to work on the launch of the American Edge Project framework for national security policy. This critical report, led by Admiral James Stavridis and Frances Townsend and supported by Michael Allen, Jeremy Bash, Jamil Jaffer, Kaitlyn Garman, among many others highlights the consequences if the U.S. loses its global technology leadership role. #cybersecurity #nationalsecurity #digitalpower” - Stephen Rodriguez, Founder, Managing Partner, One Defense

“The global pandemic has rapidly sped up the integration of the internet as a common denominator in every aspect of economic and cultural society. The American Edge Project highlights that if the U.S. loses its leadership role in technology, there will be long-term consequences for national security, the global economy, standard setting and international norms.” - Kent Kaiser, PhD, Executive Director, Trade Alliance to Promote Prosperity

“Policies that forfeit the U.S. competitive edge to foreign entities put the safety, privacy and economic prosperity of Americans at risk. A new report by the American Edge Project highlights that the United States risks critical long- term national security consequences if it relinquishes its global leadership role in technology.” - Ginevra Joyce-Meyers, Executive Director, Center for Innovation and Free Enterprise

“It is crucial for our national and economic security that the U.S. offers the most capable and cutting-edge technologies and services. It's equally critical that these financial services and technologies that support the lending needs of underserved consumers are supported by a safe and secure regulatory environment. The American Edge Project, in a new report, shows that the stakes are too high to adopt practices that unnecessarily hamper the technology industry which is intertwined with the future of American strength and security.” - Kevin B. Kimble, Founder & CEO, Financial Services Innovation Coalition

“America's unparalleled record of technological innovation has made us the most prosperous and most powerful nation in human history, enabling the United States to be the world's greatest defender of democratic values. As the American Edge Project report shows, however, if we allow America's technological and competitive edge to recede, then the void will be filled by more malevolent regimes, which will in turn jeopardize the safety, privacy and prosperity of Americans and others across the world. We simply cannot allow that to occur.” - Jeff Mazzella, President, Center for Individual Freedom

“Over the last several generations, technology innovation has empowered communities by driving productivity, creating millions of new jobs, making the United States the most prosperous nation in the world. The American Edge Project’s new national security policy highlights how the technology industry will remain a consistent growth area for the U.S. economy and the job market, especially as we continue to recover from a global pandemic.” - Brady Buckner, President, Partnership for Innovation & Empowerment

WHAT NATIONAL SECURITY LEADERS ARE SAYING

Frances Townsend, former U.S. Homeland Security Advisor: “New strategic national security policy by @Americanedge says deployment of ‘U.S. digital power’ will empower U.S. tech innovation and promote it globally as a way to defend our interests and advance our values.” (@FranTownsend, Twitter, 2/22/21)

Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Commander of the U.S. Southern Command: “New @Americanedge strategic national security policy says it’s time for the ‘deployment of U.S. digital power’ to empower U.S. tech innovation and promote it globally as a way to defend our interests and advance our values.” (@stavridisj, Twitter, 2/22/21)

Michael Morell, former Acting and Deputy Director at the Central Intelligence Agency: “Important to anyone interested in the US-China strategic competition.” (@MichaelJMorell, Twitter, 2/23/21)

Jamil Jaffer, Founder & Executive Director of George Mason University’s National Security Institute (NSI): “Proud to work on this critically important paper to protect America’s tech advantage w/ #NationalSecurity leaders like @stavridisj+ @FranTownsend+ @michaelallenJMA + Jeremy Bash + Kaitlyn Garman. We must innovate to win. A robust American tech sector is key.” @americanedge (@jamil_n_jaffer, Twitter, 2/23/21)

Michael McFaul, Director of Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University: “I just downloaded. Looks terrific. Congrats @stavridisj and your @americanedge team. (@McFaul, Twitter, 2/23/21)

GeoTech Center, Atlantic Council: “Of interest from colleagues at @AmericanEdge, they are calling for the ‘deployment of U.S. digital power to empower American tech innovation and promote it globally as a way to defend our national security interests and advance our values.’” (@ACGeoTech, Twitter, 2/23/21)

NOTABLE MENTIONS IN THE MEDIA

POLITICO: Morning Tech: “Consequences of losing the tech arms race: What’s at stake for American national security if the U.S. relinquishes its role as a global leader in tech? The American Edge Project takes a look.” (POLITICO, 2/22/21)

Bloomberg: Balance of Power: Admiral James Stavridis On China: “Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Admiral James Stavridis discusses national security, U.S. tech leadership, China and his new book, ‘2034: A Novel of the Next World War.’ He spoke with Bloomberg's Kevin Cirilli and Taylor Riggs.” (Bloomberg, 3/30/21)

CBS News: Intelligence Matters: A CBS News Original National Security Podcast: “In this episode of ‘Intelligence Matters,’ guest host Sandy Winnefeld interviews Frances Townsend, homeland security adviser to President George W. Bush, and Admiral James Stavridis (ret.), former supreme allied commander at NATO, about their work for the American Edge Project, a political advocacy group that promotes investment in U.S. innovation and technology. Townsend and Stavridis explain the links between technological advancement and national security, and explain why China's autocratic approach to technology in particular poses an increasingly serious threat.” (CBS News, 4/7/21)

NSI: Fault Lines: “Fault Lines welcomes Admiral James Stavridis, author of the book 2034: A Novel of the Next World War and contributing author of a white paper with the American Edge Project on National Security Policy. Should we expect a war with China? How do fiction and foreign policy work together? Where do emerging technologies play a role in all of this? Admiral Stavridis and host Lester Munson answers these questions and many more on this week’s episode of Fault Lines.” (NSI, 3/31/21)

Bloomberg: Sound On Podcast: “Bloomberg Chief Washington Correspondent Kevin Cirilli and Bloomberg politics contributors Jeanne Sheehan Zaino and Rick Davis deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. Guests: Jeremy Bash, Former CIA and Pentagon Chief of Staff during the Obama administration, and Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn.” (Bloomberg, 2/25/21)

ABOUT

American Edge Project

The American Edge Project is a newly formed coalition dedicated to the proposition that American innovators are an essential part of U.S. economic health, national security and individual freedoms. The coalition and its members will tell the story about the positive impact technology and innovation have on America’s economy and businesses, particularly small ones, and how they enhance freedom of expression and our nation’s overall security. Learn more: americanedgeproject.org.

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