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.

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

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.

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

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/.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

1. Secure Global Leadership for Technology Talent
2. Empower the American Workforce for Technological Transformation
3. Modernize Institutions for the Digital Age
4. Transform U.S. Education and Training Through Strategic Technology Integration
5. 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/

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

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.     

1. 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.
    
2. Expand Opportunities for Chip Startups – Prioritize disruptive innovation by creating a “atoms-to-architectures pipeline” to take breakthroughs to market.
    
3. 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/

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

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:      

1. 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.
    
2. 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.
    
3. 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.
    
4. 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/

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

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

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

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.

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