The Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS) is a research organization based in Washington, D.C. that claims to advocate for using publicly available data to analyze national security threats and networks. The Center receives most of its funding from United States government contracts and grants. ¹

Background

The Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS) was founded in 2000 within the George Washington University (GSU) campus in Washington, D.C. by a group of former intelligence community, special operations, and law enforcement officers. In 2002, the organization was established as an independent organization under the direction of Newton Howard, a cognitive scientist who had previously served on with U.S government science advisory boards. In September 2004, the organization was registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. ^{2 3}

Since becoming an independent tax-exempt organization, C4ADS has received most of its funding from several offices, agencies, and departments within the U.S. government. For example, in 2021, roughly 89% of the Center’s funding came from the U.S. State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development. ³

Activity

The Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS) claims to use publicly available data to research and analyze threats to U.S. national security. According to its website, it maintains research initiatives involving conflict-affected states, corruption and organized crime, human security, natural resource security, state-sponsored threats, and wildlife crime. ¹

The Center has published materials on its research findings including reports, issue briefs, commentary, and white papers. For example, on June 18, 2024, the organization published a report on how Russia continues to import precision tools involved in the manufacture of military equipment from countries that publicly support Ukraine in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war despite trade sanctions. ^{4 1}

Government Contracts

The Center for Advanced Defense Studies has been awarded contracts, subcontracts, and grants by U.S. government entities including the Special Operations Command, the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Agency for International Development, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and the U.S. Department of State Office of Acquisition Management. ⁵

Leadership

April Foley is the chair of the Center for Advanced Defense Studies’ (C4ADS) board of directors. Previously, she was the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary in the George W. Bush administration, first vice president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and an executive with PepsiCo. ⁶

David Johnson is the executive director of C4ADS. Previously, he served in the U.S. Special Forces and was the director of digital security products for the Intel Corporation’s Software and Solutions Group. ⁷

Varun Vira is the chief operating officer for C4ADS. Previously, he worked at the World Bank, in the office of then-U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA), and at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. ⁸

Angela Bruhjell is the director of analysis at C4ADS. Previously, she worked as an intelligence professional in the U.S. Marine Corps, and as an instructor at the Marine Corps Intelligence School. ⁹

Dave Stephenson is the director of strategic alliances at C4ADS. Previously, he was the director of the Office of Irregular Warfare and Competition on the Joint Chiefs of Staff as well as an operator with U.S. Army Special Forces. ¹⁰

Joey Barnard is the director of finance at C4ADS. Previously, he was a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. ¹¹

1. “About Us.” Center for Advanced Defense Studies. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://c4ads.org/about-us/
2. “Affiliations.” Newton Howard. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://newtonhoward.com/affiliations/
3. “The Center for Advanced Defense Studies, Inc. (dba C4ADS).” Tech Inquiry. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://techinquiry.org/?entity=the%20center%20for%20advanced%20defense%20studies%2C%20inc%2E
4. Maggard, Al. “War Machine.” Center for Advanced Defense Studies. June 18, 2024. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://c4ads.org/reports/war-machine/
5.  “Center For Advanced Defense Studies.” HigherGov. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://www.highergov.com/awardee/center-for-advanced-defense-studies-inc-the-10419085/
6. “Annual Report 2023.” Center for Advanced Defense Studies. 2023. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://c4ads.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/C4ADS-2023-Annual-Report.pdf
7. “David Johnson.” Center for Advanced Defense Studies. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://c4ads.org/people/david-johnson/
8. “Varun Vira.” Center for Advanced Defense Studies. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://c4ads.org/people/varun-vira/
9. “Angela Bruhjell.” Center for Advanced Defense Studies. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://c4ads.org/people/angela-bruhjell/
10. “David Stephenson.” Center for Advanced Defense Studies. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://c4ads.org/people/dave-stephenson/
11. “Joey Barnard.” Center for Advanced Defense Studies. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://c4ads.org/people/joey-barnard/