Read the most recent analysis from CSIS experts on defense-related issues.
U.S. desire to exit Afghanistan creates new dynamics for U.S.-Pakistan relations as Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan prepares for his first official visit to the United States. This commentary evaluates the stakes and opportunities of this upcoming dialogue.
On July 12, Turkey received the first elements of the S-400, a fourth-generation surface-to-air Russian missile system. Few recent weapon sales have been as geopolitically charged as this one. U.S. officials have threatened both military and economic sanctions should Turkey acquire the Russian system.
After 18 years of military involvement, the United States is still in Afghanistan. This report addresses the factors that allowed U.S. engagement to grow so drastically, makes recommendations on future action, and explores lessons to learn from for future engagements.
With the significant costs of engaging the U.S. in combat and a growing range of non-military tools at their disposal, rivals threaten U.S. interests by operating in the “gray zone.” The U.S must employ a broad spectrum of tools and concepts to deter and compete in the gray zone.
In 2018, President Trump requested the creation of the U.S. Space Force. Since then three competing visions for its structure have been crafted: one from the Department of Defense and two from the U.S. House and Senate. This brief compares these three legislative proposals to create a new military service for space.
Raytheon and United Technologies Corporation recently announced plans to merge into a new company, Raytheon Technologies, in 2020. While the past few years have seen significant industrial consolidation with the defense sector, the proposed Raytheon-UTC merger would be the largest defense merger in recent history.
Congress will likely pursue a budget agreement that raises the Budget Control Act spending limits from their original levels for FY 2020. If they fail, the Department of Defense faces sequestration for the first time since 2013.
In our last paper, we discussed the current state of the U.S. vertical lift fleet and how past investment decisions helped shape this fleet. This brief will focus on future investments. Vertical lift aircraft are a substantial part of the U.S. military, both in terms of fleet size and investment levels. Helicopters and tiltrotors make…
This report analyzes the current state of affairs in defense acquisition by combining detailed policy and data analysis to provide a comprehensive overview and critical insights into the current and future outlook for the defense acquisition system.
The proposed FY 2020 budget for missile defense lacks the programmatic and budgetary muscle movements to contribute meaningfully to overall U.S. deterrence and defense goals.