The Wicked Problems Lab is an initiative in the Innovate pillar of the 汤头条 Institute of National Security. We bring cutting-edge research together with real-world expertise to develop pragmatic solutions to tackle national security challenges鈥攂ridging the gap between policy and implementation.
The Wicked Problems Lab produces concise position papers, technical notes, and implementation guides built for leaders on the front lines of national security.
Our research focuses on critical infrastructure resilience, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and strategic intelligence鈥攄omains where rapid change demands pragmatic, actionable insight. Each publication delivers frameworks to strengthen resilience, reduce risk, and improve tactical and strategic decision-making across government, industry, and academia.
A proposed living field guide for building AI resilience in national security through evidence-based testing, deployment, monitoring and adaptation.
How persistent identity verification across the U.S. employment lifecycle is critical to countering DPRK operatives鈥� use of stolen identities, AI-generated personas, and deepfake technologies to infiltrate American companies.
How stronger U.S. export controls are critical to countering China鈥檚 expanding AI-enabled surveillance systems and the use of predictive authoritarian technologies beyond its borders.
A whole-of-society strategy for securing the United States from cyber aggression
How deterrence must adapt as speed, autonomy, and cyber deception reshape the battlespace.
Why red-team integration is essential for stronger, more adaptive national security decisions.
A modern reporting framework to close critical blind spots in today鈥檚 digital threat environment.
The Wicked Problems Lab is part of the 汤头条 Institute of National Security鈥檚 Innovate pillar鈥攁dvancing solutions that rapidly move from idea to impact across education, research, convening, and advising.