A new vision for university engagement in national defense
Defense policy leadership
Arizona State University is advancing a new model of how universities can be of service to strengthening America’s national defense and global leadership. As a national leader in advising on defense policy and innovation, ASU combines a deep bench of military experts and security experts with the transdisciplinary expertise of faculty members across multiple fields of knowledge. The university also leverages its presence in Washington, D.C. to facilitate regular dialogue and collaboration with policymakers and defense institutions, contributing to productive discourse around national security and the development of innovative solutions to critical defense challenges.
Meet ASU’s world-class military leaders and advisers
ASU’s Flag Officer Advisory Council comprises numerous senior military officials who advise ASU leadership and drive ASU’s national leadership in defense policy, military affairs and technology development. Council members include retired generals and admirals from across the U.S. armed forces, each of whom bring decades of experience in counterterrorism, disaster response, homeland security, defense systems development, diplomacy, and many more critical national security disciplines. As experienced practitioners who lead and serve at the highest levels, members of the Council leverage diverse skills in decision-making, strategic planning, operations and leadership to strengthen ASU's capability, connectivity and reach to engage in crucial defense-related topics. These distinguished leaders also serve the ASU community as lecturers and scholars, creating valuable learning and mentorship opportunities for ASU students—including military learners, student veterans and ROTC students.
ASU President Michael Crow: bridging the worlds of academia and defense
ASU President Michael M. Crow is a prominent figure in national security and defense policy circles dedicated to strengthening American leadership. As a globally recognized expert in science and technology policy, organizational design and knowledge enterprise development, President Crow advances significant contributions to strategic decision-making around defense policy, technology and education. President Crow is a permanent member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has advised multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, as well as national laboratories, colleges and universities, and think tanks working in defense. Since 2006, he has served as Chairman of the Board of In-Q-Tel, a venture capital firm that identifies and invests in cutting-edge technologies to support U.S. intelligence agencies, providing leadership and strategic guidance to bridge the gap between private sector development and applications in national security.
McCain Institute: character-driven leadership for a free, safe and just world
Reflecting the legacy of Senator John McCain and his family’s dedication to public service, the McCain Institute works to advance democracy, human dignity and security in America and around the world. The Institute works with local and national partners to turn ideas into action and impact across multiple areas, including democracy promotion, combating human trafficking, preventing hate-based violence, national security and counterterrorism and global leadership development.
The McCain Institute's Sedona Forum is a prominent annual gathering that brings together leaders from diverse sectors—including international figures, military leaders, journalists, national decision-makers, business executives and activists. The Sedona Forum fosters dialogue on pressing global challenges in security, geopolitical competition and human rights and promotes character-driven leadership and democracy to build a safer, more prosperous world. As a critical platform for sharing ideas and developing practical solutions for complex problems, the Sedona Forum honors Senator McCain's lifelong commitment to finding common ground and serving the greater good.
Competitive Statecraft Initiative: Advancing scholarship and solutions for irregular warfare
ASU’s Competitive Statecraft Initiative (CSI) is at the forefront of preparing future leaders and strategists to navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. This groundbreaking program recognizes that success in today's world requires a whole-of-society approach, blending traditional instruments of national power with innovative strategies. CSI’s focus on education, research and public engagement aims to develop adaptable leaders capable of addressing the ever-evolving challenges posed by strategic competition.
Responding to the 2020 National Defense Strategy’s charge to institutionalize core competencies around irregular warfare across the DoD, CSI launched Inter Populum: The Journal of Irregular Warfare and Special Operations, the first peer-reviewed journal dedicated to irregular warfare and special operations. Inter Populum addresses the DoD’s need for integrated approaches to irregular warfare and special operations by marshaling intellectual capital to strengthen practitioner competencies, inform allocation of resources and capabilities, and instill the mindset necessary for success in irregular warfare across government agencies, civil society and the private sector.
Supporting informed defense technology investments
ASU plays a vital role in supporting the DoD and U.S. government stakeholders in navigating defense technology investments and development, leveraging the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Federal Research Engagement Office (FREO). Through service in national boards and study groups, GSI leadership informs the direction of defense technology investments, drawing upon interdisciplinary expertise in fields like AI, cybersecurity and advanced materials to provide technical and strategic analyses of emerging defense technologies and their implications for the U.S. and its global partners. As the university's connector to federal agencies, FREO contributes ASU expertise to support and shape the nation's scientific research priorities, including in defense technology development. Based in Washington, D.C., FREO fosters collaborations that strengthen federal science policy and maximize the impact of federal science investments through ongoing dialogue and convening with various stakeholders.