American Security

Policy Priorities

Maintain the America First Tradition in the National Security Profession
Bolster America's Economic Might
Expand America's Unrivaled Military Strength
End Endless Wars and Make Foreign Commitments Strategic
Secure the Southern Border
Eliminate Global Terrorists Who Threaten to Harm Americans

The twin American victories in the Second World War and the Cold War established our country as “the last, best hope for man on Earth.” Freedom’s cause in every part of the globe depends upon a strong America. With our country secure, we can, with greater confidence, advance American security abroad. American security is exemplified by a strong military, fair trade deals, alliances that are equitable, aggressors who are isolated, and those who harm us, destroyed. The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) examines American security abroad as a prerequisite for peace at home: always putting American interests first. This includes removing ourselves from endless, unnecessary wars in order to rebuild the homeland, while also understanding our indispensable role in maintaining a world at peace.

The America First Policy Institute’s American Security champions Americans rather than a theoretical “America” imagined by the Washington national security establishment. The exercise of American power requires clear justification, and an America First approach ensures that American power is used in the interest of Americans. To advance that goal, the American Security looks to ensure that there will be rigorous advancement of policies which will serve as an authentically American alternative to Washington’s increasingly obsolescent foreign and defense policy orthodoxy.

The phrase America First refers to an approach rooted in an awareness of America’s unique role in the world, and its unmatched ability to do best for others when its people are strong, safe, and prosperous. It means that any commitments of American lives or dollars abroad must come with concrete benefits to the American people. Every investment of American resources needs to reap a substantial security benefit.

Team

The Honorable Robert Wilkie

Chair, American Security

Lt. General (Ret.) Keith Kellogg

Co-Chair, American Security

The Honorable Fred Fleitz

Vice Chair, American Security

Jacob Olidort, Ph.D.

Chief Research Officer & Director of American Security

Ethan Tan

Policy Analyst, American Security

Ryan Nanartowicz

Policy Analyst, American Security

Benjamin Woolsey

Policy Analyst, American Security

James Carafano

Senior Fellow, American Security

Anna Hardage

Senior Fellow, American Security

John R. Thomas, Jr.

Senior Fellow, American Security

Latest

Issue Brief | March 5, 2026

Amid The Strikes: A Blueprint To Protect American Interests

Expert Insights | March 4, 2026

Putin Near America’s Shores: A Look at Russia’s Shadow Fleet

On January 7th, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard, with British support, seized a Russian-flagged vessel in the North Atlantic, bringing attention to Russia’s growing “Shadow Fleet”—a global naval operation to evade U.S. sanctions and maintain the flow of Russian oil and revenue. Unlike other vessels, no crude oil was found on board. Moreover, the circumstances surrounding the seizure—Russian military assets en route to protect the vessel and the raising of the Russian flag—call into question the methods used by a sanctioned fleet and the complicity of the Russian government.

Commentary | March 2, 2026

Project Vault: Locking in America’s Strategic Supply

On February 2, 2026, President Trump, along with Chairman of the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) John Jovanovic, announced a new initiative to move U.S. critical mineral supply chains away from reliance on China. Project Vault establishes the U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve intended to store critical minerals essential to America’s defense and industrial supply chains in facilities across the United States.

Statement | February 28, 2026

AFPI on the Confirmed Killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Ayatollah Khamenei's elimination unquestionably represents the start of a new chapter of security for the American people, peace for the region and the world, and the opportunity the Iranian people have for so long waited to finally shape their country’s destiny.

Statement | February 28, 2026

AFPI Responds to Operation Epic Fury

The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) released the following statement in response to news of joint strikes carried out against Iran by U.S. and Israeli military forces.