The Center for a New American Security

15 Years of Bold, Innovative, and Bipartisan Policy Recommendations

In 2007, Kurt Campbell and Michèle Flournoy launched a new think tank in DC. 15 years later and CNAS has published over 700 reports covering a range of national security and defense issues, hosted top leaders and thinkers from both sides of the aisle, convened tens of thousands of foreign policy experts and stakeholders, and transitioned next generation leaders into key roles in government.

“Washington D.C. doesn’t need another think tank,” was the common response heard by co-founders Kurt Campbell and Michèle Flournoy as they asked friends and colleagues for advice before setting off on their new venture. They launched CNAS in 2007 with a mission that continues to be foundational in the Center’s approach to research—going to the pain—or in this case, taking a risk on bold analysis and publishing the work regardless of popularity or the fear of causing controversy. This is the story of the first CNAS report, The Inheritance and the Way Forward, which

CNAS performs groundbreaking research and analysis to shape and elevate the national security and foreign policy debate in Washington and beyond. Our dynamic research agenda is designed to shape the choices of leaders in the U.S. government, the private sector, and society to advance U.S. interests and strategy.

We have a track record of attracting the best and brightest scholars and practitioners to lead our research programs, and our board members, founders, leaders, scholars, and interns have held or gone on to prominent positions in the U.S. government, at the departments of Defense and State, the White House, and the Central Intelligence Agency as well as in Congress and the private sector. As a result, we benefit from a strong network of supporters in all corners of the policymaking community.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, without discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. CNAS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Kurt Campbell and Michèle Flournoy launched CNAS in 2007, only a year before they were selected to serve in the administration as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Policy.

Both would return to CNAS after, Michèle would return as CEO and Kurt as chairman of the board of directors.

Strong, Pragmatic, and Principled

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The First CNAS Team

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The Inheritance

The report that started it all, written by Kurt and Michele, The Inheritance …

A Strong Backing

Many early advisors and board of directors contributed to the success…

The Center for a New American Security

Strong, Pragmatic, and Principled

The First CNAS Team

The Inheritance

A Strong Backing

Next Generation