About
The Aspen Strategy Group is proud to release “On the Rise: Perspectives on Foreign Policy,” the capstone project of the Rising Leaders Program Class of 2025. This program brings together young professionals to contribute to the conversation on critical issues while honing their leadership skills. Hailing from diverse backgrounds, sectors, and political affiliations, all Rising Leaders have one thing in common: their passion for national security and foreign policy.
Through the year-long program, participants learn from key decision makers—and, most importantly, each other—under the aegis of the Aspen Strategy Group. This publication is the product of these vital conversations and presents the Rising Leaders’ perspectives on a variety of U.S. national security and foreign policy challenges.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
Before the First Shot: Setting Terms With America’s Tech Giants
Michael Salazar
CHAPTER 2
Investing in American Power: A U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund for the Modern Age
Krishna Gall
CHAPTER 3
Hard Targets in a Soft War: Securing U.S. Digital Leadership Through Data Infrastructure
Colin Feiter and Meredith Wallace
CHAPTER 4
The Governance Imperative: The U.S. Path to Global AI Leadership Through Trust
Akanksha Ray
CHAPTER 5
A New Age for Transatlantic AI Strategic Competition
Claire (Figel) DiTondo
CHAPTER 6
Every NATO Nation Is an Arctic Nation: A Strategic Contribution Model for Alliance Security
Natan Gorod and Thomas Krasnican
CHAPTER 7
Moonshot Diplomacy: Navigating the Lunar Frontier in U.S. and Chinese Policies
Talia Gifford and Thomas Quirk
CHAPTER 8
Enhancing Cyber Resilience: The Need for Cultivating Cyber Mutual Aid and Assistance
Edward Chao
CHAPTER 9
Strategic Investment for Strategic Security: Building Influence Through Economic Resilience in Latin America
Victoria Murrieta
CHAPTER 10
From Aid to Partnership: Advancing U.S.-Africa Engagement Through Strategic Corridors
Larquana Bryan
