The Pitch 2020: A Competition of New Ideas

In 2020, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) launched a new premier event to elevate emerging and diverse voices in national security. Selected applicants made their pitch for innovative policy ideas to renew American competitiveness in front of a distinguished panel of judges and live virtual audience at the CNAS National Security Conference on June 24, 2020.

Applicants made their pitches for one of the following prompts:

Alliances and multilateralism: What new approach could the United States pursue to strengthen and better leverage its alliances or international institutions to advance vital U.S. interests and renew American competitiveness?
Economics and technology: What new idea in U.S. technology or economic policy would bolster American competitiveness in the world and enhance the prosperity of the American people?
Military and defense: What critical policy change – especially in the areas of strategy, force development, posture and presence, concepts of operation, recruitment and retention, the industrial base, or technology adoption – would have a significant effect in helping maintain America's strategic military advantage over China and Russia?
National security institutions: What is a key reform to U.S. national security institutions (including structures, processes, and human capital) that would help the United States adapt to evolving challenges in strategic competition?

The Pitch 2020 was a premier component of the CNAS America Competes 2020 initiative.