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, Senior Policy Officer and Director, 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

Deputy Director, American Security

John R. Thomas, Jr.

Senior Fellow, American Security

Latest

Op-Ed | May 27, 2026

Degrading Iran’s capabilities erodes Putin’s plans

Each May, Moscow celebrates “Victory Day,” which typically showcases a grand display of Russian power. But this year’s parade was notably different.

Expert Insights | May 22, 2026

Hardening the People’s House: The National Security Case for White House Modernization

On September 11, 2001, as the United States faced the worst terrorist attack in its history, Vice President Dick Cheney sat in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC), the underground command post beneath the White House East Wing from which the President, senior military officials, and cabinet members would manage the national emergency that day.

Op-Ed | May 22, 2026

Trump’s Cuba Gambit

A few weeks ago, the mainstream media was in full panic mode, warning that President Trump was planning to invade Cuba. These claims were overheated and completely off base. President Trump has unveiled a far grander and more sophisticated strategy—one that combines relentless economic pressure with targeted humanitarian assistance and a direct appeal to the Cuban people.

Issue Brief | May 13, 2026

Strait-Forward: A Security Architecture for the Persian Gulf

The Strait of Hormuz has received widespread attention during Operation Epic Fury, the accompanying negotiations, and the ongoing U.S. economic pressure campaign, Economic Fury, that followed. While the security of the Strait of Hormuz (hereinafter “the Strait”) was not the principal objective of Operation Epic Fury, the operation’s degradation of Iran’s military capabilities can have the ancillary effect of ensuring the long-term stability of the Strait.

Op-Ed | May 8, 2026

Trump Should End the Iran War Now with an Ultimatum to Tehran, Not Negotiations

The United States has achieved a decisive victory in the conflict with Iran. After months of targeted strikes under Operation Epic Fury, Iran’s nuclear program lies in ruins, and its missile production capability has been destroyed. Iran’s conventional military capabilities have been dismantled. Its proxy networks are starved of support, and the regime is fragmented and reeling.