February 23, 2025
What’s Happening in National Security, Technology, Defense & Maritime
February 2025 | Vol. 4, Issue 38
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AGS UPDATES
- AGS Chairman Ambassador Robert O’Brien was appointed by President Trump to serve on the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB)
- AGS Welcomes Erin Walsh and Lee Levy as Senior Vice Presidents. Both bring extensive experience in national security and geopolitical affairs. Walsh’s background includes senior roles in U.S. foreign policy and international economic affairs, while General Levy brings strategic defense and logistics expertise from his distinguished military career. Their addition strengthens AGS’s leadership in navigating complex global security challenges.
- O’Brien spoke at the Trans-Pacific Dialogue on the importance of the Trilateral relationship between the U.S., Korea, and Japan
- AGS Chief Executive Officer Alexander Gray testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, emphasizing Greenland’s strategic importance to U.S. national security and its role in Arctic geopolitics.
AGS has compiled an extensive list of conferences, summits and trade shows that we believe may be relevant to you.
WHAT WE ARE SAYING
- O’Brien for Townhall: America’s Venezuela Policy Should Serve American Interests
- Gray for America Reports: Negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine and his plan for the Middle East.
- O’Brien for 19 Forty Five: Poland Wants Hundreds Of M1 Abrams Tanks. America Must Deliver
- Gray joined The Hugh Hewitt Show to discuss the release of Marc Fogel from Russia
- Senior Vice President Anthony Ruggiero for The Wall Street Journal: How Dirty Money From Fentanyl Sales Is Flowing Through China
- O’Brien joined the Larry Kudlow Radio Show to discuss the Trump Administration’s foreign policy approach to Ukraine
- Ruggiero testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on China’s relations with Russia, Iran, and North Korea
- Gray joined Kudlow on Fox News to discuss President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza and the strategic importance of the Panama Canal
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT AGS
- NTD: Trump Names New Members of President’s Intelligence Advisory Board
WHAT WE ARE READING
Maritime
- Holland & Knight: Trump and the Federal Maritime Commission: Impacts of a New Administration
- Sea Air Space: 2025-2026 Maritime Policy Statement
- Reuters: U.S. and Philippines hold joint maritime exercises in South China Sea
- The Wall Street Journal: A Look at the Ukrainian Minerals That Trump Wants
- Reuters: Philippines Accuses China’s Navy ‘reckless’ of Flight Manoeuvres
- Wall Street Journal: Fear That China Rules the Waves Jolts U.S. to Pursue Maritime Revival
- Wall Street Journal: Shippers Wary of Red Sea Routes Despite Houthi Pledge to End Targeting
Defense Industrial Base
- Jewish Insider: Lawmakers push for expanded U.S.-Israel defense cooperation in new legislation
- Reuters: Anduril Assumes Control of US Army Headset Program
- Reuters: EU joint defence debt has many hoops to go through
- The Times: European Leaders Convene for Emergency Summit on Ukraine
- Stripes: U.S. House Republicans Propose Defense Budget Increase
- IISS: Global Defense Spending Reaches New Heights
- Reuters: US to increase military sales to India, eventually provide F-35 jets
National Security & International Affairs
- Quinn Emanuel Trial Lawyers: The Misuse of INTERPOL in Commercial Disputes
- City Journal: The National Security Implications of the Purchase of Greenland
- The Wall Street Journal: Iran Has Enough Highly Enriched Uranium for Six Nuclear Weapons
- Washington Examiner: US and Russia Seek Better Relations During Ukraine Negotiations
- Washington Post: Steve Witkoff at the Forefront of Trump’s Global Peace Efforts
- Fox News: Fogel, an American teacher from Pennsylvania, returned to the US February 11
- The National Interest: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump discuss India-U.S. relations in Washington
- The Times: Germany’s Conservative Election Shift
- The Wall Street Journal: Impact of U.S. Policies on Canadian Politics
- The Wall Street Journal: U.S. and Israel Seek to Extend Gaza Cease-Fire
Technology & Cyber
- Washington Times: U.S., U.K., and Australia Target Russian Cybercrime Network with Sanctions
- Wall Street Journal: Lawmakers Push to Ban DeepSeek App from U.S. Government Devices
- Politico: Sean Cairncross Nominated as National Cyber Director
- NY Post: Apple Warns iPhone Users to Update Devices Amid Security Breach
- Wall Street Journal: SailPoint Returns to Public Markets with Nasdaq Listing
- Wall Street Journal: Microsoft Claims Quantum Computing Breakthrough by Creating New State of Matter
- Holland & Knight: Proposed Cybersecurity Compliance for Contractors
- Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP: Global Legal Intelligence Report
U.S. Politics
- NBC News: House narrowly adopts budget plan to advance Trump’s agenda in a win for Speaker Johnson
- The New York Times: White House Moves to Pick the Pool Reporters Who Cover Trump
- The Heritage Foundation: Government Efficiency and Reform
UPCOMING EVENTS
- April 1, 2025: American Global Strategies National Security Conference
- April 6, 2025 – April 9, 2025: Sea, Air, Space
“Powered by the Navy League of the United States, Sea-Air-Space is the premier maritime exposition in the U.S., bringing together defense industry leaders and top military decision-makers from around the world to share the latest advancements in the maritime domain. With industry leading speakers and events featured across three impactful days, Sea-Air-Space is a must-attend for anyone invested in the future of U.S. maritime strength and innovation.” - May 30, 2025 – June 1, 2025: Black Sea Security Forum
“During its first edition in 2024, Black Sea Security Forum assembled more than 350 participants from 20+ countries in Odesa, Ukraine. During three days of the Forum, the guests had a unique opportunity not only to discuss the most vital challenges the Black Sea region is facing today during the 2-day conference, but also to visit the sea port of Odesa, as well as the frontline cities.” - July 15, 2025 – July 18, 2025: Aspen Security Forum
“The Aspen Security Forum (ASF) is the premier national security and foreign policy conference in the United States. Presented by the Aspen Strategy Group, ASF has provided a nonpartisan public venue for domestic and global leaders to discuss the key national security and foreign policy issues of the day for the past 15 years.” - September 9, 2025 – September 23, 2025: 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
“The 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80) will open on Tuesday, 9 September 2025. The first day of the high-level General Debate will be Tuesday, 23 September 2025.” - October 7, 2025 – October 9, 2025: SEMICON West
“Phoenix is set to become a tech powerhouse in 2025 with the arrival of SEMICON West, the premier microelectronics exhibition in North America. The first show, at the Phoenix Convention Center, is October 7-9, 2025, then it returns in 2027 and 2029. SEMI’s decision to host SEMICON West in Phoenix highlights a strategic shift to further technological advancements and industry expansion.”