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Mark R. Kennedy

“KENNEDY DOESN’T IGNORE THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM; TO THE CONTRARY, HE LOOKS IT STRAIGHT IN THE EYE.” JOHN KING - CNN

“BOLD AND SMART.” FRED BARNES - FOX NEWS

As Director of the Wilson Center’s Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition, Mark Kennedy (U.S. Congress, 2001-07 MN) defines paths to strengthening the alliances, technology and economic foundations of America’s global leadership.
As President Emeritus of the University of Colorado and past President of the University of North Dakota, Kennedy highlights the central roles of talent and technology in economic development and geopolitical competition.
As an appointed Civic Leader supporting the Secretary of the Air Force and a Senior Fellow at CNA - Center for Naval Analyses, Kennedy champions the grand strategy and military needed to deter aggression.
Mark applies experiences as a first-generation college graduate, presidentially appointed member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, author of Shapeholders, Business Success in the Age of Activism (Columbia University Press), member of the Council on Foreign Relations, member of the Boston Global Forum’s Board of Thinkers, Chairman Emeritus of the Economic Club of Minnesota, corporate executive, University of Michigan MBA (with distinction) and St. John’s University (MN) graduate.
Kennedy has engaged wide cross-sections of society in over 45 countries, including refugee camps, war zones, 60+ military bases and three aircraft carriers at sea.

Strategic Competition

Grand Strategy

Diplomatic

Info-Tech

Military

Economic

Speaking /Moderating

Select Events

Ten Steps to Win the AI Race

SPEECH DELIVERED AT HARVARD TO FORUM SPONSORED BY BOSTON GLOBAL FORUM - NOVEMBER 25, 2024

Issues Driving the US Foreign Policy Debate

SPEECH TO SCIENCES PO PARIS SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - OCTOBER 14, 2024

Securing the Supply Chains of the Future

MODERATED PANEL FOR US INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION - DECEMBER 9, 2024

Select Publications

Ten Steps to Win the AI Race

SPEECH DELIVERED AT HARVARD TO FORUM SPONSORED BY BOSTON GLOBAL FORUM - NOVEMBER 25, 2024

America Must Awaken From Complacency to Win the Tech Race

WILSON CENTER POLICY BRIEF - MARCH 6, 2024

It's Time for a Comprehensive National Maritime Strategy

OP-ED WITH DR. JEFF KUCIK - MARCH 28, 2024

Select TV Interviews

Biden, Xi to Meet in Peru following Trump Election Win

INTERVIEW ON NEWSNATION - NOVEMBER 14, 2024

Election Outcome Could Alter Relations with China, US

NEWSNATION INTERVIEW -- AUGUST 27, 2024

China, Russia Reaffirm Close Ties as Moscow Presses Ukraine Offense

NEWSNATION INTERVIEW (FROM HOTEL IN DOHA, QATAR) - MAY 16, 2024

Select Quotations in Media

States of Confusion: Despite Much Discussion – and Hundreds of Legislative Proposals – AI Policy Lacks Clarity

QUOTE IN ARTICLE BY GLOBAL ASSOCIATION OF RISK PROFESSIONALS - NOVEMBER 28, 2024
“The U.S. is at an inflection point,” Mark Kennedy, a former congressman and university president who is now director of the Wilson Center’s Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition, said in a November 25 speech at a Boston Global Forum AI World Society conference. “Depending on our response, we will either retain our edge in AI and other technologies that underwrites our economic leadership and our military superiority, or surrender it to an ascendant China at great risk to our future prosperity and national security.”

Lam-Xi meeting suggests Vietnam's supply chain balance tilting toward China

QUOTED IN VOICE OF AMERICA ARTICLE - AUGUST 22, 2024
Kennedy said, “A sounder path for Vietnam is to develop its own manufacturing capabilities that rely on supply chains from a diversified group of nations” other than China.

How China's Ad-Hoc Tech Pipeline Fuels Russia's Ukraine War Efforts

QUOTED IN NIKKEI ASIA - MAY 1, 2024
Blinken’s visit comes after repeated warnings by the U.S. government that it may widen its sanctions against Russia to include Chinese banks that have facilitated trade. “The United States has already given ample warning that this could happen, “Mark Kennedy, director of the Wilson Center think tank’s Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition, told Nikkei Asia. “I haven’t seen anything come back from China suggesting that they’re paying attention to those warnings.”