Strategic Competition
STEAD Framework
Integrated action across Security, Technology, Economic, Alliance, and Diplomatic domains to secure America’s strategic future
🔹 Strategic Context
- This page is part of WISC’s Strategic Competition framework, applying geoeconomic statecraft through the STEAD model — integrating Security, Technology, Economics, Alliances, and Diplomacy — to secure U.S. leadership across critical domains.
- In an era of multifaceted global challenges, the United States must adopt a holistic approach to strategic competition. The STEAD Framework—encompassing Security, Technology, Economics, Alliances, and Diplomacy—serves as a comprehensive model that integrates these domains to advance national interests effectively. This framework aligns with the principles of 360° Leadership, emphasizing the importance of cohesive strategies that avoid siloed thinking and balance competing priorities.
The STEAD Framework provides an integrated strategy for securing America's future across Security, Technology, Economic, Alliance, and Diplomatic dimensions. It ensures cohesive action and prevents siloed approaches in strategic competition.
🔐 Security
National security extends beyond military capabilities to include the protection of critical infrastructure and supply chains. Key strategies involve:
- Supply Chain Resilience: Implementing measures to secure and diversify supply chains, reducing dependency on adversarial nations.
- Export Controls: Regulating the export of sensitive technologies to prevent their misuse by hostile entities.
- Investment Screening: Assessing foreign investments for potential risks to national security.
These initiatives fortify the nation's defense posture by safeguarding essential economic and technological assets.
💻 Technology
Technological superiority is crucial for maintaining strategic advantage. The STEAD Framework advocates for:
- Trade Policies: Developing trade agreements that open markets for U.S. exports, ensuring domestic companies remain competitive globally.
- Innovation Ecosystem: Investing in innovation to drive advancements in critical sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and telecommunications.
- Standard Setting: Leading the establishment of international technology standards that reflect democratic values and promote interoperability.
By integrating these elements, the U.S. can sustain its technological leadership and counteract the influence of authoritarian regimes.
💰 Economics
A robust economy underpins national power. STEAD emphasizes:
- Industrial Policy: Implementing subsidies, tax incentives, and procurement strategies to bolster vital domestic industries.
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs): Applying tariffs on imports based on carbon content to promote cleaner production methods and protect U.S. industries.
- Trade Policies: Leveraging data-driven approaches to advance trade policies that boost economic growth.
These economic strategies aim to enhance competitiveness while addressing internal disparities and external challenges.
🤝 Alliances
Modern strategic competition necessitates the evolution of alliances. STEAD advocates for:
- Modernizing Alliances: Expanding traditional defense partnerships to include cooperation on technology and supply chain security.
- Tech Alliances: Forming coalitions focused on the development and governance of emerging technologies.
- Supply Chain Collaboration: Coordinating with allies to build resilient and diversified supply networks.
By strengthening and adapting alliances, the U.S. can amplify its strategic influence and promote a rules-based international order.
🕊️ Diplomacy
Diplomatic engagement is essential for resolving conflicts and advancing national interests. STEAD emphasizes:
- Multilateral Institutions: Active participation in organizations like the UN, WTO, and IMF to shape global norms and policies.
- Development Finance: Providing financial support for infrastructure projects in emerging markets to foster economic growth and strategic partnerships.
- Standard Setting: Collaborating internationally to establish standards that reflect shared values and interests.
Through diplomacy, the U.S. can build coalitions, resolve disputes, and promote stability in the international system.
⚖️ Avoiding Stovepipes – Balancing Priorities
- In the realm of strategic competition, policies often intersect, leading to complex trade-offs. The STEAD Framework emphasizes the necessity of harmonizing these policies to prevent siloed approaches and unintended consequences.
- Key Balancing Acts:
- Industrial Policy vs. Free Market Principles: Supporting domestic industries through subsidies and incentives must be balanced to avoid triggering global protectionism.
- Export Controls vs. Global Competitiveness: Implementing technology export controls is essential for national security but must be calibrated to avoid undermining the global competitiveness of U.S. companies. Overly restrictive measures can lead to significant revenue losses. Maintaining access to global markets ensures that U.S. companies can continue to invest in cutting-edge technologies. A nuanced application of export controls, coupled with multilateral cooperation, can help prevent adversaries from acquiring sensitive technologies while preserving the economic vitality of U.S. tech industries.
- Selective Decoupling vs. Economic Interdependence: Reducing reliance on adversarial nations, particularly China, should be managed carefully to maintain beneficial economic ties.
- Integrated Economic Tools: Aligning trade policies, sanctions, technology controls, and financial mechanisms into a cohesive strategic toolkit enhances effectiveness.
- Infrastructure Investment vs. Debt Diplomacy: Competing with initiatives like China's Belt and Road requires mobilizing private capital aligned with democratic values, avoiding unsustainable debt models.
- Openness vs. Security in Technology: Navigating the tension between open innovation and the need to secure AI, semiconductors, and telecom systems is crucial.
- Diverse National Standards: Managing varying approaches to data privacy, digital trade, and technology standards among allies requires careful coordination to prevent fragmentation.
- Alliance Expansion vs. Cohesion: Expanding groupings like the Quad and AUKUS should not dilute existing alliances such as NATO; instead, efforts should align economic and technological cooperation with traditional defense frameworks.
- Innovation Freedom vs. Security and Accountability: Fostering innovation must be balanced with the need for security, accountability, and adherence to democratic norms to prevent authoritarian regimes from shaping global commerce and technology governance.
By acknowledging and addressing these tensions, the STEAD Framework facilitates a comprehensive approach to policy-making, ensuring that strategic objectives are met without compromising core values or operational effectiveness.
The STEAD Framework provides a structured approach to navigating the complexities of strategic competition. By integrating security, technology, economics, alliances, and diplomacy, and by balancing competing priorities, the United States can effectively advance its national interests and uphold its leadership on the global stage.