Will AI Tank Think Tanks?

As the artificial intelligence revolution advances and the Trump administration questions the value of outside experts, think tanks are facing a worsening supply-demand imbalance. Chris, Melanie, and Zack discuss a recent Anthropic report outlining different economic scenarios and apply its lessons to better understand how AI will transform think tanks and the broader foreign policy community in Washington. Chris welcomes members of Congress questioning funding for the Iran War, Melanie criticizes the administration for massively subsidizing a steel mill in Iowa, and Zack laments civilian leaders for involving the military in political messaging.

Show Links: "Scenarios for Our Economic Future," Anthropic, September 2026.

Helene Cooper and John Ismay, "Hegseth Lays Out His Military Vision," New York Times, September 30, 2026.

Nela Richardson and Tim Decker, "The rise – and rise – of knowledge work," ADP Research, April 21, 2026

Education Pays, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Gene Healy, "Want to Stop the Iran War? Don't Pay the Bill," Reason, October 2, 2026.

Mike Yeo, "After yearslong delay, Taiwan receives first pair of new F-16s," Breaking Defense, October 2, 2026.

Hunter Slingbaum and Kelly Grieco, "Runway Trap: How Chinese Missiles and Rockets Could Neutralize Taiwan's Air Force," Stimson Center, March 5, 2026.