Read the most recent CSIS research on defense reform efforts.
Given the various foreign policy and national security challenges, it will be critical that the new administration develop a strategic approach for their policy objectives. Strategy will help the new administration achieve goals, drive change, and determine which issues may benefit from continuity. This analysis provides recommended steps for an effective review process to help develop a strategy for national security challenges.
With the expansion of presidential war powers and an incoming administration, Congress is in an ideal position to reconsider the appropriate relationship with the executive branch on the use of force. This report provides a recommendation Congress should consider to re-establishing Congress’ role in authorizing military operations.
Both nation-state and non-government adversaries will increasingly confront the U.S. with new capabilities to gain warfighting advantages. How can the Department of Defense foster acquisition innovation for effective change in areas that require rapid change?
Security cooperation enables the United States to deepen its global alliances and partnerships in pursuit of common security objectives. It will be critical to ensure FY17 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) reform provisions retains the U.S. competitive advantage globally through its network of alliances and partnerships. This analysis provides recommendations for the Trump administration to consider during security cooperation reform.
President-elect Donald Trump has proposed two goals for the federal government’s civilian workforce: making it smaller and increasing its quality. How can the administration use both carrots and sticks to achieve its goal of reducing the civilian workforce without going to war without its own work force? This analysis addresses this question through the lens of the civilian workforce in the Department of Defense to propose recommended changes.
On Tuesday, January 10, Dr. Kathleen H. Hicks, senior vice president, Henry A. Kissinger Chair, and director of the International Security Program at CSIS, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on civilian control of the armed forces. Click here to access written testimony or to view a full recording of the hearing.
The Defense Department has historically provided investment to help develop systems for its specialized needs. However the investment creates limitations in the defense market and as a result, it impacts innovation. This analysis outlines the challenges and provides recommendations to promote innovation in the defense market.
On December 23, 2016, President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2017. The act makes more changes to national security organizations and process than any other legislation since the landmark Goldwater–Nichols act of 1986. This report looks at the NDAA outcome issue-by-issue to see what it means for a new administration.
In its FY 2017 budget proposal, the administration, for the fifth year running, requested authority for another base realignment and closing (BRAC) round.
There is widespread dissatisfaction with the existing strategy formulation process and resulting documents because of their perceived lack of prioritization.