In this news roundup, Elisa examines how emerging technologies, economic competition, and shifting methods of warfare are reshaping the national security landscape. She covers the Pentagon’s investment in low-cost drones, Ukraine’s continued use of unmanned systems against Russia, China’s dominance of critical minerals and AI development, the growing use of cryptocurrency to evade sanctions, and renewed debates over tariffs, energy policy, and economic security. Elisa also previews an upcoming series exploring how AI and other disruptive technologies could affect the U.S. economy—and what legal and policy tools may be available to address those risks without stifling innovation.

References:

• Register for our upcoming event: From Public Service to Private Sector: In-House Counsel Navigating Modern Security Threats – Tues., Sept. 1, at 6PM. at Greenberg Traurig LLP – co-hosted by the Women in National Security Law Initiative.
• Register for the 36th Annual Review of National Security Law CLE Conference – Oct. 8th-9th, at the Omni Shoreham hotel in Washington, DC
• Chainalysis, “Crypto Crime Reaches Record High in 2025 as Nation-State Sanctions Evasion Moves On-Chain at Scale” (January 8, 2026)
• The White House, “Actions by the United States in the Investigations Under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974,” presidential memorandum, July 23, 2026.