Our Mission

Who We Are:
The Center for National Policy is an independent think tank dedicated to advancing the economic and national security of the United States. We bring together thought leaders and decision makers who are focused on the revitalization of our economy for the benefit of all Americans and the strengthening of the values of human rights and democracy at home and across the globe.

As its seventh President, Scott Bates is leading the organization into its fourth decade of service in the tradition of such distinguished former CNP leaders as Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Secretaries of State Madeline Albright, Cyrus Vance, Ed Muskie and former 9/11 Commissioner Ambassador Tim Roemer.


What We Do:
We live in a time when the United States and the American people have been pressed by global economic competition, rocked by systemic financial shocks and challenged by complex international crisis.

Now more than ever, thought leaders and decision makers need strong policy concepts and timely insights into important economic and national security issues delivered clearly and concisely. We provide analysis, commentary and studies on some of the most important issues facing policy makers and the American people.

Leaders standing up for those left behind by globalization and who speak to the continuing role America must play to promote democracy and human rights across the globe, need a place to highlight their good ideas and engage with thought leaders and decision makers across the current partisan divide. That place is the Center for National Policy.


National Security:
CNP has a thirty-year tradition of leadership in promoting ideas on how to provide the best defense for our nation and advance American values and interests around the world. We focus our events, programs and policy development in four main areas related to national security. Those are Defense, Democracy and Development, Regional Security and Resilience.


Economic Security:
CNP sees the revitalization of the economy, the restoration of the middle class and investment in the American workforce as not only important for achieving social justice, but for ensuring the long term national security of the United States. In the past, CNP has developed policy papers on the need for fair trade and workforce training. We have hosted the Vice-President of the United States, the Secretary of Labor and the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives who spoke on the economic challenges facing our nation.

Today, CNP is focusing our events and activities on three main areas related to enhancing the economic security of the American people. Those are; investing in the American workforce, promoting an innovation agenda and rebuilding America by creating next generation infrastructure.


Our Future:
By featuring experts in national and economic security issues at our events, providing a place for leaders to highlight their initiatives and accomplishments, and putting forward new policy ideas on the issues most relevant to the American people, CNP looks forward to contributing to the prosperity and security of the American people for years to come.