Memos to the President

Episode 43: Senator Mike Rounds and Chris Malachowsky on AI, Education, and National Security

Mike Rounds, Chris Malachowsky, Ylli Bajraktari — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:07:36 +0000

In this special episode of Memos to the President, recorded live at the SCSP AI + Education Summit, SCSP CEO Ylli Bajraktari sits down with U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) and NVIDIA Co-Founder Chris Malachowsky to discuss the profound intersection of artificial intelligence, workforce development, and global competitiveness.

The conversation centers on the urgent need for the United States to lead the AI revolution. With the ink "barely dry" on this technology, Senator Rounds and Malachowsky outline how the U.S. can unlock $4.7 trillion in economic growth by embracing AI as "amplified intelligence." From the University of Florida's massive AI supercomputer initiative to Dakota State University's cybersecurity pipeline, the discussion highlights how local institutions are laying the groundwork for America's future. The briefing then pivots to the stark realities of national security, exploring the integration of AI in modern warfare, the geopolitical race against China, and the critical infrastructure bottlenecks, like energy grids and immigration reform—that the U.S. must solve to maintain its edge.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 42: Dr. Dario Gil on The Genesis Mission, AI, Quantum, & America’s R&D Engine

Dario Gil — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Memos to the President, SCSP CEO Ylli Bajraktari sits down with Dr. Dario Gil, the Undersecretary for Science at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

As a former senior executive at IBM and now the leader of America's scientific powerhouse, Dr. Gil oversees 17 National Laboratories and over 40,000 scientists. The conversation focuses on the "Genesis Mission", a bold national initiative designed to double the productivity of the U.S. research and development engine by fusing AI, Quantum computing, and High-Performance Computing (HPC).

From the "Star on Earth" (Fusion energy) to the race for technological offset against China, this episode explores how the DOE is evolving to meet the strategic challenges of 2029 and beyond.

Key themes from this high-level briefing:

🧬 The Genesis Mission: Transforming the $1 trillion U.S. R&D landscape into a hyper-productive "discovery engine" through a unified digital platform.

🛡️ The National Labs Legacy: Why the 17 National Laboratories are a "national treasure" and their critical role in the human genome, supercomputing, and nuclear security.

⚛️ The Quantum Frontier: Moving past "supremacy" toward a scientifically relevant, error-corrected quantum computer.

⚡ The Three Horizons of Energy: Shoring up the grid, the renaissance of nuclear power, and the goal for fusion power plants by the early 2030s.

🇨🇳 Strategic Rivalry: Addressing the "pace-setting competition" with China and the urgent need for a modern-day technological offset.

Timestamped Highlights:

00:04 – Intro: Meet Dr. Dario Gil, Undersecretary for Science

01:30 – The Immigrant Experience: From Madrid to the DOE

03:00 – Demystifying the DOE: Science, Energy, and Nuclear Security

08:20 – Inside the 17 National Labs: 40,000 Scientists & a Global Legacy

13:52 – The Genesis Mission: A Revolution in AI and Computing

18:00 – Public-Private Partnerships: Bringing Industry into the Lab

20:30 – The Legacy of Genesis: A Methodological Shift for Science

21:50 – Energy as Prosperity: Solving the AI Power Demand

23:30 – Fusion Energy: Building a "Star on Earth" by the 2030s

26:32 – The China Competition: Why Urgency is Our Only Option

29:00 – Quantum Advantage: Solving Problems Better, Faster, and Cheaper

30:35 – Leadership: Transitioning from the Private Sector to Government

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 41: General Carsten Breuer and Benedikt Franke on Germany’s 2029 Deadline

Carsten Breuer, Benedikt Franke — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:30:00 +0000

In this special episode of Memos to the President, recorded live at the Munich Security Conference, SCSP CEO Ylli Bajraktari is joined by a very special co-host: Benedikt Franke, CEO and Vice Chairman of the Munich Security Conference. Together, they sit down with General Carsten Breuer, the Chief of Defense of the German Bundeswehr, to discuss the most dangerous security environment in 40 years.

The conversation centers on the "2029 Culmination Point." General Breuer provides a candid assessment of why Germany has a five-year window to become "war-ready" to deter a real and growing threat from Russia. From filling the "pit holes" left by decades of underspending to the "hard choices" of buying American tech off-the-shelf versus building a sovereign European industrial base, this briefing covers the critical roadmap for the future of the Alliance.

Key themes from this high-level briefing:

The 2029 Mandate: Why the German military must be ready to wage war by 2029 to ensure peace through deterrence.
Modernization on Steroids: Navigating the €100 billion budget to prioritize air defense, long-range fires, and satellites.
Ukraine as the "Teacher": How front-line lessons are currently rewriting German military doctrine and manuals.
The War of the Future: The long-term shift toward digitalization and AI as the core of military strength.
Industry & Innovation: Why the military, policymakers, and the private sector must work in lockstep to upscale production.

Timestamped Highlights:

00:08 – Intro: A Joint Podcast with MSC CEO Benedikt Franke
00:56 – The 2029 Vision: Why Germany must be "Ready for War"
01:58 – Cultural Shift: Instilling a "Sense of Urgency" in the Population
03:49 – Modernization: Filling the "Pit Holes" of Underspending
04:53 – Strategic Priorities: Air Defense, Deep Strike, and Satellites
05:12 – The Tech Advantage: Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence
05:53 – Learning from Ukraine: Doctrine Changes and Ukrainian Instructors
07:36 – The Private Sector: Transitioning to "Forward-Leaning" Production
09:55 – Procurement Tradeoffs: Off-the-Shelf vs. European Sovereignty
12:50 – 42 Years of Perspective: Facing the Most Dangerous Time Since the Cold War
14:52 – MSC 2026: European Responsibility and the U.S. Partnership
16:42 – The Goal for 2029: Deterrence as the Shield for Prosperity

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 40: Dhruva Jaishankar on The Future of US-India Ties

Ylli Bajraktari, Dhruva Jaishankar — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:35:00 +0000

In this episode of Memos to the President, Ylli sits down with Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of ORF America, to take a deep dive into the complex and evolving role of India on the world stage.

Recorded in late January 2026, the conversation explores how India is navigating its relationship with a "pure competitor" in China and a shifting partnership with the United States. Jaishankar provides an expert assessment of why India's generation of strategic thinkers is more "bullish" than ever, despite significant trade frictions and high tariffs currently impacting bilateral ties.

00:00 – Intro: 20 Years of Perspective on D.C. and Delhi

01:25 – India’s Role in a Changing World Order

01:53 – The Superpower at the Doorstep: Managing China

03:00 – A New Generation of Strategic Thinkers

05:25 – Navigating a World Beyond the U.S. and China

06:08 – Looking Toward 2050: Challenges and Optimism

07:53 – The Paradox of U.S.-India Relations: Friction vs. Cooperation

08:14 – The Tariff Trouble: 50% Levies and Trade Sticking Points

08:51 – Defense as the New Cornerstone of the Partnership

09:13 – People-to-People Ties: The Largest Indian Diaspora

12:24 – The Path to a Comprehensive Bilateral Trade Deal

13:34 – The Russia Oil Factor and Global Energy Markets

14:37 – India’s AI Strategy: Data, Talent, and Use Cases

16:30 – Building Models vs. Building Applications: The R&D Debate

18:47 – Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in the AI Age

19:39 – Recommendations for the U.S.-India Tech Relationship

21:43 – Previewing the AI Impact Summit in Delhi

23:43 – Leading the Global South: Reforming International Institutions

26:40 – Why U.S. and India Should Collaborate in Third Markets

28:52 – The India-Pakistan "Deep Freeze" and Terrorism Policy

32:52 – The Diminishing Strategic Value of the Iran Relationship

34:22 – Russia-India Dynamics: Diversifying Defense and Space

36:52 – The Concerns Over the Russia-China "No Limits" Friendship

41:00 – De-risking from China: The Battle for Data and Tech Sovereignty

43:15 – Outro: The Future of ORF America Cooperation

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 39: Secretary Chris Wright on Seizing the Fusion Moment

Chris Wright — Tue, 4 Nov 2025 18:45:00 +0000

In this episode of Memos to the President, Ylli sits down for a second time at the AI+ Fusion Summit with the United States Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright. In their conversation, Secretary Wright urges prioritizing fusion alongside AI and quantum, rebalancing energy spending, and previews the DOE’s next six months.

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Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 38: A Conversation with Brian Moore

Brian Moore, Ylli Bajraktari — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 16:00:00 +0000

In this episode, SCSP President Ylli Bajraktari sits down with Brian Moore, Chief Policy Officer at Bot Auto, to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping the auto industry and the broader U.S. industrial base. They discuss what it takes to deploy AI responsibly at scale—from transforming manufacturing and logistics to ensuring safety, transparency, and workforce readiness. Moore shares insights from Bot Auto’s work at the intersection of technology and policy, where innovation meets regulation and ethics meets implementation. Together, Ylli and Brian explore how policymakers and industry leaders can build trust in AI systems, maintain America’s competitive edge, and strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors. They reflect on the lessons learned from the early days of automation, the future of human–machine partnership, and the global race to define the standards of responsible AI. Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel! Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 37: A Conversation with Luke Murry

Luke Murry — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 13:10:00 +0000

Luke Murry, former National Security Advisor to Speaker Kevin McCarthy and now Head of Government Affairs at Marvell Technology, joins host Ylli Bajraktari on the National Mall to discuss his career trajectory, the evolution of U.S.-China tech competition, and the intersection of government and the private sector.

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Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 36: Palmer Luckey

Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:55:00 +0000

In this episode, Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries, discusses his journey from Oculus VR to focusing on national security. He explains his decision to enter the defense industry in 2017, highlighting the challenges of the time, including the tech industry's reluctance to work on military problems and its dependence on China.

Luckey emphasizes Anduril's mission as a defense products company, contrasting it with traditional contractors, and details some of their autonomous systems like robotic submarines, fighter jets, and surveillance towers. He also shares his observations on the war in Ukraine, the shifting sentiment towards defense technology, and his strong stance on lethal autonomous weapons systems, advocating for their use to achieve greater precision and ethical warfare.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 34: A Conversation with Amos Yadlin & Avner Golov

Avner Golov, Amos Yadlin — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 21:00:00 +0000

On this episode of Memos to the President, host Ylli Bajraktari is joined by retired Major General Amos Yadlin and Avner Golov from MIND Israel to discuss the evolving role of technology in global affairs. They analyze the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East and the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship, proposing a new model for technological cooperation.

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Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 35: A Conversation with Omran Sharaf

Omran Sharaf — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 21:00:00 +0000

On this episode of Memos to the President, host Ylli Bajraktari is joined by His Excellency Omran Sharaf, the UAE's Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Technologies and Science. They discuss the UAE's technological journey, including the strategic "Hope" Mars Mission, and the future of the U.S.-UAE relationship, proposing a new model for technological cooperation.

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Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 33: A Conversation with Mike Kuiken

Mike Kuiken, Ylli Bajraktari — Thu, 4 Sep 2025 13:49:54 +0000

In this special episode of Memos to the President, recorded on the National Mall, Ylli Bajraktari sits down with Mike Kuiken, a veteran of Capitol Hill with over two decades of experience. The conversation traces Mike's journey from a staff assistant to becoming the National Security Advisor for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. They discuss how major events like 9/11 shaped his career, his pivotal role on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and how he witnessed the shift in national security priorities from counter-terrorism to the strategic competition with China. Mike also shares behind-the-scenes insights into organizing the historic AI Insight Forums and his recent trip to Beijing with a bipartisan group of senators.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 32: A Conversation with Jack Clark

Jack Clark, Ylli Bajraktari — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Memos to the President, recorded at last week’s AI+Science Summit, host Ylli Bajraktari sits down with Anthropic’s Jack Clark for a conversation on the international AI landscape, the national security risks of AI, and more!

Check out Memos to the President on YouTube!

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 31: A Conversation with Jensen Huang

Jensen Huang, Ylli Bajraktari — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Memos to the President, Ylli sits down with NVIDIA CEO, Jensen Huang. Their conversation goes to the heart of the strategic challenges and opportunities facing the United States. They discuss the coming waves of AI, from generative to physical and agentic AI; the immense energy required to power this new age; the future of work in a world augmented by AI; and the defining geopolitical issue of our time: the U.S.-China technology competition.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 30: A Conversation with JP Allain

JP Allain, Ylli Bajraktari — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 14:39:30 +0000

In today's episode of Memos to the President, Ylli had the opportunity to speak with Dr. JP Allain, Associate Director for Fusion Energy Sciences at the Department of Energy. They discuss the future of fusion energy, and the benefits that a 'moonshot' program could have to jump start plans to have the fusion ecosystem running in the 2030's. Discover the vision that Dr. Allain has for the future of the United State's energy development, and to stay competitive with China.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 29: A Conversation with Jack Hidary

Jack Hidary, Ylli Bajraktari — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 17:15:00 +0000

In this episode of Memos to the President, SanboxAQ CEO, Jack Hidary, sits down with Ylli to discuss the critical role of Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) in securing national defense and advancing key technologies. Discover how SandboxAQ is addressing vital applications like new materials for defense, more power-dense batteries for warfighters, and advanced cyber defense.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 28: A Conversation with General David Allvin

David Allvin, Ylli Bajraktari — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 16:15:00 +0000

In today's episode of Memos to the President, Ylli had the honor of chatting with the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General David Allvin. They discuss the future of air power, the Air Force's need to invigorate its cyber offensive capabilities, and General Allvin's concept of "more Air Force," emphasizing speed, tempo, and agility.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 27: A Conversation with the Vice President of Taiwan, Bi-Khim Hsiao

Bi-Khim Hsiao, Ylli Bajraktari — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Memos to the President, Ylli had the opportunity to kick off the recent AI+ Expo with a conversation with the Vice President of Taiwan, Bi-Khim Hsiao. This conversation delves into Taiwan's vision for integrating AI across its government and economy, its pivotal role in global supply chains, and its strategic contributions to international technology development.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 26: A Conversation with Lt. Gen. (ret). H.R. McMaster

H.R. McMaster, Ylli Bajraktari — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:45:00 +0000

In today’s episode of Memos to the President, Ylli had the privilege of sitting down at the recent AI+ Expo with former National Security Advisor and his former boss, Lt.Gen. (ret). H.R. McMaster. They discussed a range of issues relating to the Axis of Disruptors - China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran - and more.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 25: A Conversation with the Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright

Chris Wright, Ylli Bajraktari — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:30:00 +0000

In today’s episode, Ylli had the privilege of sitting down at the recent AI+ Expo with the Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright. They dove into some important topics regarding energy, including the intersection of AI and energy, fusion energy and nuclear power, and the role and state of National Laboratories.

The discussion covers Secretary Wright's vision for U.S. energy dominance through free markets, the crucial role of national laboratories as pioneers in AI, and the necessity of public-private partnerships to advance AI innovation. They also delve into the exciting progress in fusion energy, the potential of small modular reactors (SMRs), and the challenges and opportunities presented by U.S.-China competition in both energy and advanced technologies like AI.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 24: A Conversation with Thomas Mason

Thomas Mason — Tue, 13 May 2025 10:30:00 +0000

In this episode of Memos to the President, Ylli Bajraktari speaks with Thomas Mason from Los Alamos National Laboratory. The conversation explores the rapidly evolving national security and geopolitical landscape and the critical role of technology in shaping it. Mason offers insights into the shifting dynamics between major powers and the increasing importance of scientific innovation for national security.

Mason details how institutions like Los Alamos are adapting to these changes, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, and their contributions to the nation's strategic posture. He emphasizes the intersection of cutting-edge research and national security, discussing the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 23: A Conversation with Dr. S. Jaishankar

Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 14:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Memos to the President, Ylli Bajraktari speaks with Dr. S. Jaishankar, India's Minister of External Affairs. Fresh from meetings with U.S. leadership, Minister Jaishankar provides his insights into the profound changes shaping the global landscape. The discussion covers the forces of globalization, the impact of the AI revolution, the evolving dynamics of U.S.-India relations, and India's growing role on the world stage.

Minister Jaishankar elaborates on the deep developments shaping the world, including the impact of globalization, the transformative influence of the digital and AI eras, India's advantages in the AI revolution, and he outlines India's approach to AI development, including its national AI mission.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 22: A Conversation with Dr. Anshu Roy

Anshu Roy, Ylli Bajraktari — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Memos to the President, SCSP President Ylli Bajraktari speaks with Dr. Anshu Roy, CEO of Rhombus Power, Inc., about his personal and professional journey, the evolution of his work with the Department of Defense, and broader lessons about the integration of AI in public service.

The discussion touches on key issues related to national security, including the potential for predictive technologies to support more timely and informed decisions. Dr. Roy also participated in SCSP’s first Global Emerging Technology Summit, where he provided a demonstration of Rhombus Powers' platform to help illustrate how AI-enabled systems may support government leaders in high-stakes environments.

Rhombus Power is participating in SCSP’s second annual AI+ Expo as a Visionary Sponsor. We appreciate their support of SCSP’s mission to educate and inform the public and policy leaders about emerging technologies. Learn more about the Expo at: https://expo.scsp.ai/.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 21: A Conversation with Bob Work

Bob Work, Ylli Bajraktari — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:23:02 +0000

Secretary Work is widely credited for his work with leaders in the Department and the Intelligence Community on the “Third Offset Strategy,” which aimed to restore U.S. conventional overmatch over its strategic rivals and adversaries.
His career is one marked by service to his country and is truly admirable. Our wide-ranging discussion covered AI and the future of warfare, the Third Offset Strategy, and strategic guidance for the Secretary of Defense in a new administration.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 20: Dylan Patel at the AI+Compute Summit

Dylan Patel, Ylli Bajraktari — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:25:00 +0000

SemiAnalysis’s Dylan Patel sits down with SCSP CEO Ylli Bajraktari to discuss the future of supercomputing clusters. #ComputeSummit

The Special Competitive Studies Project’s AI+Summit Series is a set of high-level events dedicated to enabling rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) as it transforms our country and becomes a keystone of our national security.

The AI+ Compute & Connectivity Summit, the third in this series, took place on March 6, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Sustaining U.S. leadership in large-scale AI systems requires accelerated innovation in compute and access to fast, secure connectivity. By convening a diverse group of innovators, policymakers, industry leaders, and academic experts, SCSP’s AI+ Compute & Connectivity Summit provided a forum to address critical policy challenges and showcase cutting-edge technologies.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 19: Talent with Ryan Carpenter and Diana Gehlhaus

Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:30:00 +0000

The Talent Memo outlines strategic initiatives to compete and succeed in a world driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and unprecedented technological change. A fundamental transformation of education and workforce policies is necessary to build the talent pipeline necessary for maintaining America’s leadership in critical technology sectors.

Secure Global Leadership for Technology Talent
Empower the American Workforce for Technological Transformation
Modernize Institutions for the Digital Age
Transform U.S. Education and Training Through Strategic Technology Integration
Build and Sustain a Highly Skilled Public Sector Technology Workforce to Meet National Needs

Read the Full Memo Here: https://scsp.ai/reports/memostothepresident/talent/

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 18: Microelectronics with Martijn Rasser and Brady Helwig

Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP — Wed, 5 Mar 2025 19:30:00 +0000

The Microelectronics Memo outlines strategic initiatives to complement manufacturing expansion with moonshots in next-generation microelectronics technologies, powering future defense platforms and large-scale AI systems.

Achieve Massive Increases in AI Energy Efficiency – Ensure the United States wins the race to build post-Moore’s Law hardware to power large-scale AI systems.
Expand Opportunities for Chip Startups – Prioritize disruptive innovation by creating a “atoms-to-architectures pipeline” to take breakthroughs to market.
Defend Positional Advantages – Protect U.S. firms from China’s predatory economic practices and mitigate security threats during chip design, fabrication, and packaging.

Read the Full Memo Here: https://scsp.ai/reports/memostothepresident/semiconductors/

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 17: Advanced Networks with David Lin and Ananmay Agarwal

Ananmay Agarwal, David Lin, Ylli Bajraktari — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 05:00:00 +0000

The Advanced Networks Memo outlines four strategic recommendations to reclaim American leadership in network technologies and secure a competitive edge in the 5G and impending 6G races. This agenda calls for bold actions to boost innovation, streamline regulatory processes, dominate emerging concepts, and reposition the United States as the global leader in next-generation communications in the following ways:

Forge a Path to U.S. Preeminence in Network Technology:Accelerate innovation by eliminating bureaucratic hurdles and leveraging private sector capabilities to rapidly deploy secure, next-generation infrastructure. This objective is designed to counter China’s dominance by significantly upgrading our network base—from LEO satellite constellations to advanced data centers and robust cybersecurity frameworks—thereby reasserting American leadership on the global stage.
Lead in Advanced 5G Applications:Catalyze transformative breakthroughs by integrating AI with 5G, driving efficiencies across defense, manufacturing, healthcare, and beyond. By establishing a vibrant ecosystem for AI-powered 5G innovations, the United States can reinforce economic strength and enhance national security, ensuring that our technological edge propels us ahead of our adversaries.
Position for 6G Development: Invest proactively in early-stage research, talent development, and the creation of a “6G America” initiative to dominate the future of communication technologies. This forward-looking approach empowers the United States to shape and lead the next technological revolution, ensuring that we remain at the cutting edge of global network advancements for decades to come.
Assert U.S. Leadership in Advanced Networks Globally: Forge strategic alliances with allies to co-develop secure network technologies and establish international standards that reflect American values. By expanding trusted network initiatives from the first Trump Administration and incentivizing the global phase-out of Chinese equipment, this objective ensures that U.S. technological superiority and security imperatives define the future global network landscape.

Read the Full Memo Here: https://scsp.ai/reports/memostothepresident/networks/

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 16: Quantum Computing with PJ Maykish and Olivia Armstrong

Olivia Armstrong, PJ Maykish, Ylli Bajraktari — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 05:00:00 +0000

This memo outlines a plan to ensure the United States remains a global leader in quantum computing, through focused technological innovation, strategic organizational changes, and proactive policy measures.

To secure U.S. leadership in quantum computing, the following priorities must be addressed:

Achieve and Sustain Quantum Leadership: Moving out as a nation involves two organizational moves. First, the United States must prioritize quantum computing research and development through the promotion of the National Quantum Initiative. And second, additional federal funding is needed to ensure first-mover advantage in quantum computing which will directly impact critical sectors and the future of national security and economic growth.
Accelerate Public-Private Collaboration: A quantum moonshot and greater systematic collaboration to out-learn rival nations is needed to be more competitive. A moonshot naturally brings players together for a specific national security achievement. Existing collaborations like the Quantum Economic Development Consortium and Elevate Quantum (a national tech hub) are a promising start, but increased and systematic intra-governmental collaboration would place the nation on a more competitive footing.
Protect Quantum Security and Resilience: The United States must take proactive measures to view quantum information science as an “offensive and defensive” domain. One step would be establishing an offensive capabilities unit via the National Quantum Initiative or relevant agency. The focus would be to secure quantum technologies from adversarial threats and ensure the security of critical systems vulnerable to quantum-enabled cyberattacks.

A Bold Vision for Quantum Leadership

By small organization moves, an audacious goal, increased collaboration, and an offensive mindset, the United States can strengthen and sustain its leadership in quantum technologies, ensuring national security and economic prosperity for generations to come.

Read the Full Memo Here: https://scsp.ai/reports/memostothepresident/quantum

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 15: A Conversation with Michele Flournoy

Michele Flournoy, Ylli Bajraktari — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Michèle served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from February 2009 to February 2012, and serves as one of SCSP's Board of Advisors. Together, they discuss AI and the future of warfare, the U.S.-China-Taiwan security dynamic, and strategic guidance for the Secretary of Defense.

They reference the following article, AI is Already at War, Foreign Affairs.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 14: Pooling Comparative Advantage with Joe Wang and Joel Nelson

Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 18:05:00 +0000

This memo outlines a new alliance structure to advance America's qualitative technology advantage in a global technology competition along the following objectives:

Identify and organize the most capable and secure partners to innovate and develop critical technologies before U.S. rivals.
Safeguard access to critical technologies that are sensitive for national security.
Establish broader partnerships to develop and build out safe and secure technology applications to promote shared prosperity.
Prevent rivals from gaining any technology advantage in this competition.

Read the full memo here: https://www.scsp.ai/reports/memostothepresident/alliesandpartners/

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 13: Advanced Manufacturing with Addis Goldman and Brady Helwig

Addis Goldman, Brady Helwig, Ylli Bajraktari — Thu, 6 Feb 2025 05:30:00 +0000

In our Episode 13, SCSP's Addis Goldman and Brady Helwig highlight the key objectives of the newest Memo to the President all about revitalizing U.S. advanced manufacturing capabilities in a new Trump Administration.

Together, they outline a strategy to reestablish U.S. leadership in advanced manufacturing through targeted technology development, organizational reforms, and national policy interventions in the following ways:

Drive AI-Enabled Innovation in Advanced Manufacturing
Reorganize and Scale the Manufacturing Policy Ecosystem
Forge National Policies to Drive Technology Adoption

Read the full memo here: https://scsp.ai/reports/memostothepresident/advanced-manufacturing

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 12: National Security Implications of DeepSeek Models with PJ Maykish and Ylber Bajraktari

Ylber Bajraktari, PJ Maykish, Ylli Bajraktari — Wed, 5 Feb 2025 18:15:00 +0000

They discuss China's DeepSeek AI model release and the challenges the US's perceived lead in the field. This necessitates a shift in US national security strategy, including assuming worst-case scenarios about adversary AI capabilities, bolstering defenses for US AI infrastructure, and developing policies to address the proliferation of foreign AI models. Furthermore, the US must adopt a comprehensive approach beyond export controls, incorporating diplomatic, intelligence, and defense actions, while also recognizing the potential for a bifurcated digital world with competing AI ecosystems.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 11: Robotics with Abigail Kukura and Brady Helwig

Brady Helwig, Abigail Kukura, Ylli Bajraktari — Tue, 4 Feb 2025 05:00:00 +0000

SCSP expands upon it's AI+Robotics Summit held in October 2024, identifying actions to secure U.S. leadership at the convergence of AI and robotics. Watch the full event here.

Objectives in the Robotics Memo:

Set national-level technology goals for robotics that ensure U.S. leadership in development, deployment, and responsible use, driving economic growth, enhancing national security, and improving quality of life.
Accelerate the adoption of robotics and embodied AI across U.S. industries to enhance competitiveness and strengthen the American workforce.
Achieve strategic independence for the U.S. robotics industry, ensuring a resilient domestic ecosystem capable of leading innovation, production, and deployment without undue reliance on any country of concern, especially China.

Read the full memo here: https://www.scsp.ai/reports/memostothepresident/robotics/

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 10: A Conversation with Dr. Nadia Schadlow

Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 12:36:00 +0000

In 2017, Schadlow was instrumental in drafting President Trump's NSS. She emphasizes that the document's straightforward approach was intentional and aligned with Trump's clear vision for American interests. The NSS focused on four pillars: protecting the homeland, promoting American prosperity, preserving peace through strength, and advancing American influence. Notably, the document identified China as a strategic competitor, a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 9: Urgent Memo to the President on DeepSeek

Libby Lange, Channing Lee, David Lin, Ylli Bajraktari — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 21:00:00 +0000

Our latest SCSP Substack discusses the implications of DeepSeek’s R-1, a new large language model (LLM) developed by a PRC AI firm. The model has matched the performance of leading U.S. closed models at much lower compute costs, challenging the U.S.'s assumed technological leadership.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 8: AI Governance with Rama Elluru and Venkat Somala

Rama Elluru, Venkat Somala, Ylli Bajraktari — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 15:30:00 +0000

This episode focuses on the actions that will maximize AI's contributions to economic competitiveness, societal wellbeing, and national security while removing bureaucratic barriers to innovation.

Chart a path for AI development that protects the American people and national security.
Streamline regulations for emerging technologies.
Prioritize high-consequence use cases.
Implementing a national data strategy that treats data as a strategic asset for innovation and security.

Read the full memo here: https://www.scsp.ai/reports/memostothepresident/governance-2/

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 7: Defense with Paul Lyons

Paul Lyons, Ylli Bajraktari — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000

We want to ensure the U.S. military opens up a commanding lead in innovation and lethality by doing the following:

Forge the World’s Most Dominant Fighting Force by Organizing and Equipping the Department of Defense for Unrivaled Lethality and Technological Supremacy;
Seize and Hold the Commanding Ground in AI and Digital Warfare to Guarantee American Leadership in the Defining Battlespace of the 21st Century; and
Resurrect American Industrial Might by Building a 21st Century Arsenal of Democracy to Secure Our Technological and Military Edge.

Read the full report here: https://www.scsp.ai/reports/memostothepresident/defense-2/

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 6: Intelligence with William "Chip" Usher

William "Chip" Usher, Ylli Bajraktari — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000

This memo outlines a set of ambitious goals for reforming the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) that, if achieved, would position the IC to adapt to the coming wave of revolutionary technological change and improve its ability to protect the nation’s economic competitiveness in the decades ahead.

Given the IC’s crucial role in securing the homeland and supporting the United States’ ability to pursue its strategic goals, it must revolutionize its approach to its work and better address the importance of national techno-economic competitiveness. In doing so, it should reorient itself to fulfill five objectives:

Elevate the collection and analysis of foreign technology capabilities and economic threats to a top priority;
Establish a new and fully funded institutional home for Open Source Intelligence;
Prioritize the formation of strategic intelligence alliances to dominate the techno-economic advantage;
Provide the President with the means to push back against hybrid warfare threats; and
Transform the future IC workforce.

Read the full memo here: https://www.scsp.ai/reports/memostothepresident/intelligence-2/

In the episode, Chip and Ylli discuss a previous Substack SCSP's Intel team released called A Day in the Life of an AI-Augmented Analyst. Read it here: https://scsp222.substack.com/p/day-in-the-life-of-an-ai-augmented

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 5: Future Tech Transition with David Lin and Abigail Kukura

Abigail Kukura, David Lin, Ylli Bajraktari — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Given the critical nature of this decade to solidify American economic prosperity, social well-being, and global leadership, the United States should orient itself around three main objectives to dominate the technology stack of the future:

Achieve and Maintain Leadership in Foundational Technologies. The United States must achieve and maintain a clear lead in the foundational technologies that will underpin the future economy and military power. This includes artificial intelligence (AI), advanced compute and microelectronics, advanced networks, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and next-generation energy. Leadership in these technologies will be critical to fostering the next-generation of innovations that will shape the geopolitical competition for the years to come.
Build a Resilient and Secure Technology Stack. The United States needs to foster an innovation ecosystem that both facilitates new discoveries and secures our inventions from external shocks and adversarial exploitation.
Mobilize the Nation for a Technological Transformation. The United States must foster a society-wide effort to drive technological progress, similar to the national mobilization seen during the Space Race of the mid-twentieth century. This requires a renewed focus on people and talent, cutting bureaucratic red tape, and returning to a risk-taking innovation culture that will enable America to out maneuver and outpace China.

Read the Full Memo here: https://www.scsp.ai/reports/memostothepresident/future-tech/

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 4: The Economy & DOC with Liza Tobin and Jenilee Keefe Singer

Liza Tobin, Jenilee Keefe Singer, Ylli Bajraktari — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 04:21:25 +0000

This episode discusses not one, but two, new memos released by SCSP.

The first memo outlines a strategic framework for the United States to lead the evolving international techno-economic order, characterized by rapid technological advancements and intensifying geopolitical competition. We believe the United States must leverage its strengths to shape this new order and advance its economic and national security interests. To effectively navigate this evolving landscape, the United States must pursue a comprehensive strategy with the following core objectives:

Promote American-led Technology Platforms to Counter People’s Republic of China (PRC) Alternatives;
Rally Allies to Deny Revisionist Powers Access to Strategic Technologies; and
Rebuild International Trade for a Fragmented World.

Read the Techno-Economic Order Memo here: https://www.scsp.ai/reports/memostothepresident/economy/

In order to modernize the Department of Commerce for strategic competition, we outline key recommendations in the second memo for restructuring the Department of Commerce to advance U.S. economic and national security interests. Our goals are clear, DOC needs to:

Supercharge the Department of Commerce to Lead America’s AI Future
Bolster Techno-Economic Intelligence Capabilities
Position the U.S. Industrial Base for Techno-Industrial Competition
Organize the Bureau of Industry and Security for Tech Rivalry
Retool the International Trade Administration

Read the DOC Memo here: https://www.scsp.ai/reports/memostothepresident/department-of-commerce/

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 3: Foreign Policy with Joe Wang and Stephen Nordin

Joe Wang, Stephen Nordin, Ylli Bajraktari — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 14:52:59 +0000

The United States must act decisively to maintain its global leadership in the face of rising challenges from the People's Republic of China (PRC) and other authoritarian powers. This memo outlines five key objectives to ensure U.S. victory, focusing on:

Expand American-led technology platforms globally: The United States should secure critical technology platforms by partnering with allies and launch an American "tech package" initiative to counter the PRC's Digital Silk Road and demonstrate that the U.S. can offer more than just cheap infrastructure.
Integrate the private sector into foreign policy: The U.S. government needs a new paradigm of public-private alignment to leverage the reach, ingenuity, and resources of the American technology sector as critical enablers of U.S. foreign policy to advance national interests in the global competition.
Reignite the Allies+Maximum Pressure campaign: The United States must organize its allies and partners to curtail adversaries' access to critical technologies and protect shared technology ecosystems, using offensive tools like joint export controls and defensive measures like reciprocal trade policies.
Champion a 'Disruptive Freedom' agenda: To push back against authoritarian influence, the United States should invest in technologies that promote free expression in closed environments, build coalitions with emerging democracies on championing new ideas of freedom, and develop a whole-of-government strategic communications approach.
Transform U.S. foreign policy institutions: Transformational change is needed at the State Department and across the foreign policy apparatus, including appointing a Presidential Envoy for Tech Competition, restructuring the Department to put technology at the core, and building a new "joint" National Security Service workforce.

Key questions addressed:

How can the United States push back against the PRC's growing tech spheres of influence?
What new public-private partnerships, talent pipelines, and institutional reforms are needed to leverage American innovation for international advantage?
How can the U.S. harness emerging technologies to champion freedom and counter authoritarian influence in the global battle of ideas?

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 2: AGI with PJ Maykish

PJ Maykish, Ylli Bajraktari — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 16:55:00 +0000

We argue, the United States must act decisively to maintain its lead in the critical emerging field of developing Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). This memo outlines key steps to ensure U.S. dominance in AGI, focusing on:

Accelerating AGI development: Launching "moonshot" programs akin to the Apollo Program, Manhattan Project, and Operation Warp Speed to drive rapid innovation.
Securing necessary resources: Implementing robust short and long-term funding strategies and infrastructure investments.
Establishing offensive and defensive strategies: Protecting U.S. AGI technologies while mitigating potential threats.

Key questions addressed:

How can the United States maintain its edge in the face of China's growing AGI capabilities?
What organizational structures and funding mechanisms will best support AGI development?
How can the United States proactively address the national security implications of AGI?

Read the full Memo here: https://www.scsp.ai/reports/memostothepresident/artificial-general-intelligence/

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 1: A Conversation with Dr. Eric Schmidt

Eric Schmidt, Ylli Bajraktari — Wed, 8 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this first episode of Memos to the President, Eric Schmidt, in conversation with Ylli Bajraktari at SCSP, discusses his new book "Genesis" co-authored with Henry Kissinger and Craig Mundie. He emphasizes the rapid advancement of AI, particularly highlighting the development of agents capable of complex tasks and the potential for AI to revolutionize programming and mathematics. Schmidt stresses the urgency for the US to lead in the AI race against China, emphasizing the need for a national initiative to accelerate AI development and ensure the US maintains its competitive edge. He also discusses the implications of AI for warfare, drawing on lessons from current conflicts, and makes the case for increased autonomy and affordability in defense technology.

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Trailer for Memos to the President

Ylli Bajraktari — Tue, 7 Jan 2025 14:30:00 +0000

Music: Grand Design by Stephen Keech

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.