Wahba Initiative for Strategic Competition

Empowering individuals, strengthening nations, and building trusted alliances amid digital disruption and geopolitical competition

Overview

Strategic Pillars

Rajeev Dehejia

Faculty Co-Director

"To advance prosperity for all we need 
to connect rigorous development research with the systems that shape it—economics, governance, technology, 
and infrastructure."

Sadek Wahba

Chair of WISC GAC, DRI Senior Fellow

"Infrastructure is no longer just an economic issue—it's central 
to freedom, resilience, and strategic alignment. DRI with WISC ensures 
we think holistically and act decisively."

Mark Kennedy

Director, Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition

"Freedom rests on economic foundations. DRI with WISC brings together leading minds and policy actors to reinforce those foundations where development and strategic competition converge."

An older man in a dark suit, white shirt, and blue tie is speaking and gesturing with his hands about the WISC. He wears glasses and stands in a brightly lit room with large windows and a blurred background.

WISC Joins DRI 

WISC Joins DRI
Founded at the Wilson Center in 2023 and relaunched in 2025 as part of NYU’s DRI, the Wahba Initiative for Strategic Competition (WISC) examines how development, resilient infrastructure, technological leadership, economic strength, and alliances can reinforce prosperity and stability
in an era of geopolitical competition.

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