Smart Women, Smart Power

SWSP is creating space for women in one of the most powerful decision-making spaces in the world: national security and foreign affairs

The Smart Women, Smart Power (SWSP) Initiative has a simple starting point: people are policy. We are committed to creating a platform for respectful and inclusive discussion of the many ways in which women influence and impact the international security, foreign policy and business agendas. The Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative launched in December 2014.

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Featured Event

Featured Analysis

Photo: K. Kassens/U.S. Army via DVIDS

Photo: K. Kassens/U.S. Army via DVIDS

Women: Mission Essential Personnel

Women in the joint force are a decisive U.S. advantage. In a strategic environment wherein China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are learning from each other, the joint force needs every advantage it can get if the Trump administration intends to defend U.S. interests.

Commentary by Kathleen McInnis — November 18, 2024

Photo: iLab/CSIS

Photo: iLab/CSIS

Countering China and Russia: The Hidden Advantages of Women, Peace, and Security

Gender perspectives can be better utilized to identify means to more effectively collaborate with partner nations and strengthen U.S. deterrence. This brief argues that the Women, Peace, and Security tool kit should be utilized as a strategic enabler for DoD activities.

Brief by Kathleen McInnis, Benjamin Jensen, Audrey Aldisert, and Alexis Day — November 14, 2024

Photo: CSIS

Photo: CSIS

What Difference Does It Make?

What does having women sitting at international affairs decisionmaking tables actually get us? This Smart Women, Smart Power report sheds light on the powerful contributions that women make in some of the most influential spaces in the world.

Report by Kathleen McInnis and Alexis Day — October 15, 2024

Photo: Paval Hadzinski/Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed)

Why Dictators are Afraid of Girls

Rethinking Gender and National Security

Gender plays a powerful role in the construction and promulgation of power and identity that is particularly meaningful in authoritarian regimes.

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Featured Podcasts

Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

Beating Putin’s Playbook

Marie-Doha Besancenot, Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, NATO, joins to discuss the different ways NATO is prioritizing this space.

Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — July 12, 2024

See all podcast episodes by the SWSP Podcast

Featured Events

Photo: Rafael Henrique via Adobe Stock

Photo: Rafael Henrique via Adobe Stock

The Future of NATO is Female

July 10, 2024 • 10:00 – 10:30 am EDT
Video On Demand
Hosted by Smart Women, Smart Power
Photo: JACK TAYLOR/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: JACK TAYLOR/AFP/Getty Images

Lessons from Myanmar

May 1, 2024 • 10:00 – 10:30 am EDT
Video On Demand
Hosted by Smart Women, Smart Power
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Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

The Fight Continues for Iranian Women

Host Kathleen McInnis sat down with Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad for a conversation on the current state of Iran and women’s rights.

Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — October 11, 2023

CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power
Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

A Court Date for Humanity

Kathleen McInnis visited Washington University in St. Louis, where she sat down with Leila Sadat, former special adviser on crimes against humanity to the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor from 2012-2023. 

Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — October 4, 2023

CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power
Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

Semiconductors: Here, There, and Everywhere

Girl Security scholar Jordan Tachibana interviews Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for IBM Research Kathleen (Taffy) Kingscott for a discussion on the world of semiconductors and the role of the CHIPS Act.

Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis and Alexis Day — September 28, 2023

CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power
Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

Domestic Terrorist Groups and Natural Disasters

Girl Security scholar Paden Tranter interviews Glitterpill Co-Founder and Chief Intelligence Officer Samantha Kutner.

Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis and Alexis Day — September 20, 2023

CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power
Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

Congress is Back: Where does Ukraine Support Stand?

Elizabeth Hoffman joins for a discussion on her and Kathleen's recent travels throughout Ukraine, Moldova, and Poland.

Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis and Elizabeth Hoffman — September 13, 2023

CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power
Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

Chasing Liberties: Balancing Individual Rights and Digital Privacy

Girl Security scholar Kennedy Solaru sits down with CSIS Strategic Technologies Program Fellow Caitlin Chin for a discussion on the various challenges facing the national security community.

Podcast Episode by Alexis Day, Caitlin Chin-Rothmann, and Kathleen McInnis — September 6, 2023

CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power
Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

On the Road in Ukraine

While in Ukraine, Kathleen McInnis sat down with Elizabeth Hoffman for a compelling conversation on the current state of the region.

Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — August 30, 2023

CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power
Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

We’re on a Summer Break!

The Smart Women, Smart Power podcast is taking a summer break to refresh and recharge.

Podcast Episode — July 5, 2023

CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power