NYU’s Development Research Institute unites research, dialogue, and strategy to empower citizens, build resilient nations, and foster allied collaboration. With its Wahba Initiative, the Financial Access Initiative, Africa House, and others, DRI advances solutions at the crossroads of development, infrastructure, trade, technology, and geopolitics.
NYU Development Research Institute Launches New Initiative on Strategic Competition
NYU Development Research Institute Launches New Initiative on Strategic Competition
NEW YORK – September 24, 2025 –New York University’s Development Research Institute (DRI) today announced the launch of the Wahba Initiative for Strategic Competition (WISC), a forward-looking research program made possible by a philanthropic commitment from DRI Senior Fellow Sadek Wahba, Chairman of I Squared Capital. Amid shifting geopolitical realities and evolving development priorities, the […]
Learn MoreUniversities at the Frontline of the Tech Race
Universities at the Frontline of the Tech Race
This essay is part of my series The Innovative Imperative, which explores how innovation in education, research, and governance can strengthen our societies in the face of disruption. Today, I turn to the role of universities at the frontline of strategic competition. Why Universities Matter in Strategic Competition Strategic competition is no longer measured only in […]
Learn More360° View of Alliances: How They Benefit America—And How They Must Evolve
360° View of Alliances: How They Benefit America—And How They Must Evolve
Alliances at the Crossroads By Mark R. Kennedy, Founding Director, Wahba Initiative for Strategic Competition Alliances are America’s most underappreciated strategic asset. They extend our reach, multiply our capabilities, and give our actions legitimacy. They deter adversaries not only through collective military strength, but also by weaving together economic, technological, diplomatic, and cultural ties that […]
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About DRI
NYU’s Develop Research Institute and the Wahba Initiative with their partners, the Financial Access Initiative, Africa House, and the Center for Technology and Economic Development, bridge academic research and policy action to address today’s global challenges. From development to deterrence, we equip leaders with insight that spans economics, infrastructure, technology and alliances.
Development That Delivers Opportunity
Inclusive development underpins economic security. Advancing financial access, human capital, institutional trust, and entrepreneurship strengthens prosperity and expands opportunity in every region.
Learn MoreInfrastructure That Binds and Builds Power
Infrastructure defines power—linking allies, securing chokepoints, and enabling the flow of goods, energy, and data. The goal: systems that empower, not entrap.
Learn MoreEnhancing Resilience and Expanding Reach
Resilience must be realistic. Targeted production, diversified sourcing, and trade expansion reduce vulnerability while sustaining innovation and competitiveness.
Learn MoreSecuring Democratic Digital Dominance
Digital leadership is decisive. Democracies must lead in semiconductors, AI, networks, and space to ensure secure, open, and values-based systems prevail.
Learn MoreModernizing Alliances for Mutual Advantage
To compete at scale and speed, alliances must modernize—aligning across defense, trade, digital rules, and infrastructure to convert shared values into shared strength.
Learn MoreEvidence-Based Practice in Development Policy
Effective development policy must be grounded in rigorous evidence, not assumptions. Translating research into actionable strategies that work in real-world contexts helps governments, institutions, and communities make informed decisions that deliver measurable and lasting impact.
Learn MoreFinancial Access in a Growing World
The Financial Access Initiative conducts rigorous research on how low-income households use financial tools like savings, credit, insurance, and payments. Its work informs policies and product design that expand meaningful financial inclusion worldwide.
Learn MoreInsights
Timely analysis and commentary on development, geoeconomics, technology, and trade—helping decision-makers and scholars navigate the shifting landscape of global power and prosperity.
Events
High-impact convenings that connect researchers, policymakers, and global partners to shape coordinated responses to shared development and strategic challenges.
Experts
Meet the scholars, fellows, and practitioners advancing DRI’s work across domains. Their expertise spans academia, government, and industry.
Regions
Explore how development trends and strategic pressures intersect in key regions—from the Indo-Pacific to Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.