Seamus P. Daniels
is a fellow for Defense Budget Analysis in the CSIS International Security Program, where he researches issues related to defense funding, force structure, and military readiness.
What Are Key Milestones and Decisions Affecting U.S. Defense Spending in 2025?
Congress and the White House face a host of fiscal challenges and decisions over the course of 2025—including the debt ceiling, appropriations for both FY 2025 and FY 2026, and tax cuts—that will impact U.S. defense spending.
Analysis of the FY 2022 Defense Budget
This report assesses the Biden administration’s FY 2022 defense budget request. It outlines the priorities and potential effects of ongoing strategic reviews, tracks current congressional action on FY 2022 defense appropriations, and identifies key issues for FY 2023.
What to Look for in the FY 2022 Defense Budget Request
The Biden administration is expected to release its first budget request for FY 2022 in May. While the request was developed predominantly under the previous administration, it will provide some direction as to the national security priorities of the new administration.
Defense Budget Priorities for the Biden Administration
The Biden administration will shape its defense plans in the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 threat and historically large federal deficits. Seamus Daniels explores the budget landscape and potential priorities for the new Defense Department leadership.
Bad Idea: Eliminating, Rather Than Reforming, Overseas Contingency Operations Funding
Nothing in D.C. has the ability to unite political adversaries like a mutual hatred of the Pentagon’s OCO funding. But eliminating OCO — instead of reforming it — could further imperil the greater transparency and accountability that its detractors seek.
What the Continuing Resolution Means for Defense and Space Force Funding in FY 2021
Seamus Daniels and Kaitlyn Johnson analyze the impact of this month’s stopgap spending bill on defense programs and the Space Force.
U.S. Federal Budget Interactive
This interactive tool from the Defense Budget Analysis program provides a breakdown of the inflation-adjusted federal budget from FY 1976 to FY 2025 by agency and by budget function.
Analysis of the FY 2021 Defense Budget
In their latest analysis, Todd Harrison and Seamus P. Daniels outline overall trends in the defense budget, changes in the FY 2021 request, and issues for Congress and the next administration to consider.