Strategic Competition > Security
Superiority in Air, Space & Cyberspace
The High Frontiers of Strategic Competition
- Air, space, and cyber are no longer supporting theaters—they are the new front lines of strategic competition. Supremacy in these domains enables the projection of force, protection of critical infrastructure, and preservation of decision advantage. In an era of hypersonics, satellite targeting, and AI-powered warfare, control of the skies and information systems is a prerequisite for deterrence and defense.
- This page highlights how American innovation, posture, and partnerships are shaping the future of high-ground and high-speed security.
Strategic Framing
Air, space, and digital supremacy are not ends in themselves—they are enablers of peace, deterrence, and global order. Achieving superiority requires:
- Superiority in Speed and Altitude: Air and space power underpin global reach, rapid response, and deterrence-by-denial.
- Digital and Electromagnetic Advantage: Cyber dominance and AI integration accelerate decision-making and disrupt adversaries.
- Integrated Domains: Cross-domain convergence requires joint strategy across air, space, cyber, and information.
- Allied Interoperability: Supremacy is advantaged by sharing with trusted partners who multiply reach, intelligence, and resilience.
Featured Insights & Engagements
🏛️ Engaging Administration or Congress, 📰 Op-Ed / Ariticle / Quoted ✍️ Policy Brief 👥 Roundtable / Visit 🎤 Speaking / Moderating 🎥 TV/Video 🌐 Global
Air Dominance
America's edge in the skies is foundational to global deterrence and rapid response. Next-generation air platforms, autonomous systems, and aerial refueling capabilities must be integrated to ensure superiority over peer adversaries. Uncrewed aerial vehicles and AI-enabled wingman systems offer asymmetric advantages that must be rapidly developed and deployed.
Air & Space Conferences
- Space Symposium - Colorado Springs - 2021
Space Superiority
Space is no longer a sanctuary. China and Russia are developing counter-space weapons aimed at blinding and disabling U.S. satellites. America must ensure its space architecture is resilient, redundant, and rapidly reconstitutable. Civil-military partnerships and commercial launch capacity are essential to this effort.
Allies Space Visits
Space Industrial Base & Research Center Visits
- Debrief on INTELSAT Satellite Operations by Peter Davidson - VP Global Government Affairs & Policy - February 26, 2025
- Northrop Grumman Space Briefing - Wilson Center Dialogue - July 11, 2022
- Lockheed Martin Space at Littleton, Colorado - November 12, 2019
Cyber and Digital Superiority
Our digital infrastructure, weapons systems, and communications networks are under constant threat from adversarial cyber actors. Offensive cyber capabilities must complement robust cyber defenses. A modern approach to digital warfare includes protecting data integrity, ensuring secure command and control, and shaping the global rules of the cyber domain.
Cultivating Talent & Discovery
- Discussions between Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Reserve Affairs and Airman Readiness John Fedrigo and University of North Dakota Aerospace on collaboration in training Air Force pilots - April 27, 2017
🔷 Featured Insights
The Scanning Empire: How China is Building a Global Web of Digital Control - Wilson Center Policy Brief with Lea Thome - February 20, 2025
Cultivating Resilient Leaders of Character for a World Disrupted by Technology - Intro to Air Force Fellow Col. Michelle Sterling's Insights - July 10, 2024
A Dangerous World Needs a Stronger U.S. Led NATO - Wilson Center Policy Brief - July 9, 2024
Allies’ Critical Infrastructure—And Its Resilience—Are Essential to Deter Authoritarian Rivals - Wilson Center Policy Brief with Alex Botting - January 26, 2023
Bolstering Japan’s invisible dimensions of power - Op-Ed in The Hill - January 12, 2023
Pioneering Space Force: A Fireside Chat with General Jay Raymond - Inteviewed at Wilson Center - August 31, 2022
Alaska's Geopolitical Importance in the Age of Great Power Competitoin - Op-Ed in The Hill - July 5, 2022
How the U.S. Can Lead in the "Space Century" - Op-Ed in The Hill - April 27, 2022