Content Type: Opinion

Read featured commentary from CSIS experts on the latest developments in defense and national security.

The Trump Administration’s Pakistan Strategy: History Repeating Itself?

Actions by the administration further endanger the already tenuous relation between the U.S. and Pakistan, risking repeating past mistakes and undoing civil/military progress. Punitive measures have been unsuccessful in Pakistan – by exploring policy options like restoring CSF funding, IMET opportunities for Pakistani officers, and leveraging other partners, the U.S. may be able to influence Pakistan in a positive direction.

Opinion / Forces

Why We Need a Space Force

Space capabilities are already an indispensable component of U.S. military power, and the threats posed to U.S. space systems by China, Russia, and others are growing by the day. A Space Force is needed to consolidate authority and responsibility for national security space in a single chain of command; to build a robust cadre of space professionals who can develop space-centric strategy and doctrine; and to avoid the conflicts of interest inherent in the other Services that have short-changed space programs for decades.

Opinion / Forces

Why a Space Force Can Wait

Establishing a Department of the Space Force by 2020 is rushing into an end solution without proper consideration. Although there have been several space reorganization studies in the past two decades, a comprehensive public debate of our current space capabilities and their organization is just beginning. An incremental approach to developing a comprehensive organization for our national security space enterprise is a smarter decision.

Opinion / Budget, Strategy

Bad Idea: Making Strategy Whilst Whistling Past the Budget Caps

The Budget Control Act of 2011 was intended to promote compromise, yet that has not been the case in practice. Gregory Sanders explains why treating the budget caps as a one-off mistake, rather than a reflection of diminished political capacity, is a bad idea.

Opinion / Strategy

Bad Idea: A New Authorization for the Use of Military Force

It is a bad idea for Congress to pursue a new AUMF without a constructive debate. In this piece, Tommy Ross outlines the importance of addressing critical questions and formulating a debate for any new AUMF legislation.

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Opinion / Forces

Bad Idea: Space-Based Missile Interceptors

The idea of space-based missile interceptors is not new nor prohibited, but it is a bad idea. This piece looks beyond the policy arguments and explores the inefficiencies and vulnerabilities of space-based missiles.

Opinion / Forces, Strategy

Bad Idea: Making SOF the Sole Train, Advise, Assist Provider

Although SOF provides a valued role in performing TAA and security cooperation missions; it is misguided for the defense department to solely rely on SOF. This piece examines the trade-offs of limiting security cooperation missions to SOF.

Opinion / Forces

Bad Idea: De-Alert U.S. ICBMs

While de-alerting the U.S. ICBMs is an option for minimizing nuclear risks it does not solve the problems associated with the threat. The authors of this piece outline why it is ill-advised to pursue this option as a solution.

Opinion / Acquisition

Bad Idea: A Swiss Army Knife Approach to New Defense Acquisition Programs

In an environment where budgetary concerns are high, it is normal to consider cost-saving operations. However, this piece explains why it is a bad idea to combine multiple defense acquisition programs with unproven technologies into one program as an attempt to cut cost in defense acquisition.

Opinion / Strategy

Bad Idea: Brokering National Unity Governments in Fragile States

Intentions are well, but the formation of national unity governments in conflict-ridden states is a cookie cutter idea the U.S. should reconsider using.

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