Moving Beyond “China, China, China” in the Indo-Pacific
The Biden administration is signaling the United States will return to a more traditional foreign policy in Asia. But it must engage allies and partners on more than just defense policy.
Topic: Strategy
Read the most recent CSIS research on U.S. national security strategy.
Nuclear Modernization under Competing Pressures
The Biden administration will face early decision points regarding the modernization of critical elements of the U.S. nuclear weapons enterprise in an environment buffeted by competing forces and pressures.
To Infinity and Beyond: Civil and Commercial Space Policy in the Biden Administration
This is a pivotal time for civil and commercial space policy. The Biden administration should build from the successful policies of the Trump administration and look for new ways to engage new partnerships both domestically and internationally.
Nuclear Proliferation Challenges Facing the Biden Administration
The Biden administration faces a number of challenges in nonproliferation, starting from traditional adversaries like Iran and North Korea but also involving traditional U.S. partners like Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Turkey.
Arms Control Strategies for a New Administration
While the clean extension of the New START treaty between the United States and Russia is a critical step to promoting arms control strategies, the international environment is changing enough that new ideas and strategies are going to be necessary to ensure a secure future.
Rethinking Military Roles and Missions in a New Administration
It’s been 70 years since the Department of Defense last formally reviewed the roles and missions set of its component services. With the creation of the Space Force and the rise of new technologies, it’s more than time for DoD to conduct a new review.
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.
The Need for Innovation and Continuity in National Security Space during the Biden Administration
National security space policy is at an inflection point. President Biden’s administration has a number of new avenues for progress, but should also continue key Trump-era initiatives.
A Better Way to Identify and Address Threats to National Security
For years, the U.S. government’s approach to prioritizing national security threats has been ad-hoc. It’s time to restructure and standardize the decisionmaking process to achieve better outcomes.
Escaping the Graveyard of Empires? U.S. Options in Afghanistan
One of the new administration’s most difficult decisions will be how to move forward in Afghanistan, particularly in light of the Trump administration’s recent decision to draw down troops. Doing so hastily would be a mistake.