Research Staff
Research Fellow
Dr. Jason Blessing is a Research Fellow with the Potomac Institute. His expertise as a political scientist includes cyber conflict and strategy, the geopolitics of commercial surveillance software (“spyware”), and issues in alliance politics (NATO, AUKUS).
Prior to joining the Institute, Dr. Blessing has held affiliations with the American Enterprise Institute, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and the United States Institute of Peace.
Dr. Blessing received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs at Syracuse University. He also has a M.A. from Virginia Tech and a B.A. from the College of William & Mary. Before pursuing his doctorate, Dr. Blessing investigated fraud operations in the financial sector by leveraging technical compromise data, behavioral patterns, and regulatory expertise.
Areas of expertise
Research topics: Cyber & Data, National Security & Defense, Diplomacy & Alliances
Publications
Cyber & Data
Countries have established cyber forces in recognition of cyberspace's growing importance for geopolitical competition. This chapter in the De Gruyter Handbook on Cyber Conflict and Warfare surveys the drivers of cyber force development and structure and their strategic implications.
Jason Blessing
Cyber & Data
The seventh article in an 11-part series with War on the Rocks on economic statecraft. Americans lost nearly $21 billion to cybercrime in 2025, a new record for cyber-enabled economic losses.
Jason Blessing
Cyber & Data
In 2022, the Department of Defense released its Zero Trust Strategy. The US Space Force has begun pursuing zero trust to protect its digitally reliant assets while also exploring hybrid architectures that leverage military, civil, and commercial space assets.
Jason Blessing
Semiconductors & Microelectronics
The US semiconductor supply chain relies heavily on non-US markets and suppliers for a host of activities related to manufacturing. While Europe accounts for only 10 percent of the global semiconductor supply chain, the US and European semiconductor industries and supply chains are tightly intertwined.
Jason Blessing
Economic Security
On October 23-24, 2025, the Institute and Texas A&M University's Bush School of Government and Public Service hosted the Fifth Annual Summit on Economic Statecraft, “Navigating a Reset of the Global Economic Order.” Analysis of the discussions resulted in seven key themes with eleven recommendations.
Tim Welter, Jason Blessing, William Norris, Joshua Stinson
Semiconductors & Microelectronics
There is no single national policy for semiconductors. However, a variety of legislative and executive branch efforts have shaped how the US government and the Department of Defense (DoD) approach semiconductors.
Jason Blessing
