Read the most recent CSIS research on U.S. military force structure.
There is general agreement in the national security community that increased forces are needed. This paper reviews challenges in some of the services and proposes that the new administration should implement force expansion in two phases.
This study tracks the historical narrative for U.S. nuclear weapons as it has changed over the years. Additionally, it articulates a simple and clear rationale for the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
This study reviews strategy and forces for the Department of Defense under constrained resources. It also provides recommendations for the FY 2017 defense budget and the next Quadrennial Defense Review.
This is a public survey on the Future of Army Modernization. This survey is now closed.
This report provides an assessment of current and future U.S. amphibious capabilities and those of a select group of allies and partners. It further explores options to allow U.S. amphibious forces to leverage partner and allied capabilities for combined operations without sacrificing warfighting capabilities.
It is clear that threats are growing and forces need to grow to meet them. Any further cuts are over and forces will increase assuming budget deals avoid sequestration. This report reviews force structure for each military service and identifies three themes about the forces this year.
The United States has never grappled with the degree of civil-military dysfunction that many other nations have faced. The threat of a military coup has never been a significant concern. Yet civil-military friction is intrinsic in the compromise between the nation’s republican nature, which insists on civilian control and military subordination, and the existence of a standing federal military force.
This reflection examines the relationship between Special Forces and general forces. Special Forces operate quickly and with great secrecy. Unlike general forces, the element of secrecy keeps Special Forces out of public debate. Recognizing the strength of Special Forces, how should we wage war with transparency?
At current budgetary levels modernization is a third priority behind rebuilding readiness and maintaining force structure. Additionally, any increase in budget will be unlikely to help resolve this challenge. This report reviews the army modernization challenge.
Although addressed in the Goldwater-Nichols Act, the question of how much power the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is reemerging. Now in a fiercely partisan environment, Congress should take caution as they reconsider the question.