Elie Alhajjar, PhD
¼ø»Æʦapp Research Fellow
Professional Affiliation
Senior Scientist, RAND
Expert Bio
Elie Alhajjar, PhD, is a 2026-2027 ¼ø»Æʦapp Research Fellow.
Alhajjar is a senior scientist at RAND, working at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and government. With a professional background that spans national security, AI/ML, quantum technologies, and workforce development, he has witnessed firsthand how multifaceted problems require diverse perspectives and innovative, cooperative solutions. His career has been dedicated to tackling such challenges through research, policy development, and strategic implementation, all of which are enriched by understanding and leveraging international perspectives. As a professional who has been working diligently in the U.S. policy realm, he has extensive experience in multi- and inter- disciplinary project leadership and a broad record of scientific publications and presentations. Dr. Alhajjar holds a PhD in applied mathematics from George Mason University.
¼ø»Æʦapp Project
The Future of Bilateral US-India Relationship
Project Summary
In a global landscape increasingly defined by technological rivalry, fragmented supply chains, and geopolitical uncertainty, the partnership between the United States and India has taken on renewed urgency. From semiconductors and artificial intelligence to trusted digital infrastructure, the two democracies are attempting to forge a 21st century technology relationship rooted in shared strategic and economic interests. Yet despite high-level initiatives like the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) and the Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology (TRUST) dialogue, the foundations of this partnership remain uneven, shaped by divergent regulatory systems, talent mobility constraints, and asymmetric industrial capacity. This project seeks to analyze how U.S.-India cooperation in emerging technologies can move from symbolic alignment to operational resilience, offering a new model for democratic technology partnerships in an era of strategic competition.
