In-depth research & reports

Report

Jan 14, 2025

The next decade of strategic competition: How the Pentagon can use special operations forces to better compete

By Clementine G. Starling-Daniels, Theresa Luetkefend

Clementine G. Starling and Theresa Luetkefend discuss how the Department of Defense and Joint force should more effectively leverage Special Operations forces in strategic competition.

Africa China

Report

Jan 4, 2025

‘First, we will defend the homeland’: The case for homeland missile defense

By Robert Soofer with contributions from Kari Anderson, James McCue, Tom Karako, Mark J. Massa, Alyxandra Marine, and Jonathan Rosenstein

A comprehensive analysis of U.S. homeland missile defense, addressing policies, security challenges, and strategies to counter threats from North Korea, China, and Russia.

China Defense Technologies

Issue Brief

Dec 18, 2024

It’s (still) more expensive to rotate military forces overseas than base them there

By John R. Deni

In his previous term, President Donald Trump ordered the US Army to withdraw one-third of its troops based in Europe. The alternative to soldiers based in Germany or Poland is rotating US-based units through Europe on nine-month deployments—and new Army data confirms this is far costlier and harder on soldier morale than forward stationing.

Central Europe Defense Policy
A Swedish flag is raised during a flag-raising ceremony at NATO headquarters following the accession of Sweden to the alliance, in Brussels, Belgium March 11, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman

Issue Brief

Dec 13, 2024

How a new global defense bank—the ‘Defense, Security, and Resilience Bank’—can solve US and allied funding problems

By Rob Murray

A perennial problem for NATO is getting member states to meet their financial commitments, which include the pledge to spend at least 2 percent of GDP on defense. A bank specifically focused on funding defense projects could offer a way out of the political impasse—and keep NATO technologically up to speed.

Europe & Eurasia International Financial Institutions

Report

Dec 10, 2024

Europe and the United States need to revolutionize their defense industrial bases—and how they cooperate

By Rob Murray

With powerful state and nonstate actors challenging the post-World War II international order, innovation in the tech sector happening at breakneck speed, and climate change threats, NATO allies must rethink traditional defense cooperation to stay relevant.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Report

Dec 6, 2024

The threats posed by the global shadow fleet—and how to stop it

By Elisabeth Braw

Since 2022 the number of aging ships whose ownership, insurance status, and safety is unknown has exploded, prompted by Russia’s reliance on this “dark fleet” to ship its oil in defiance of Western sanctions. What can be done about this environmental, economic, and safety threat on the high seas?

China Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Dec 2, 2024

Why NATO’s reaction force needs to be rapid to be relevant

By Richard D. Hooker, Jr.

If Russia were to attempt to overrun a Baltic nation, does NATO have the forces ready to react immediately? An air-transportable force NATO fielded a generation ago provides a good model for this generation’s crises.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Report

Nov 4, 2024

NATO needs a ‘hellscape’ defense at ‘Replicator’ speed

By Franklin D. Kramer, Kristen Taylor

To enhance deterrence, the NATO Alliance should adopt a ‘hellscape’ approach designed to acquire and field low-cost, highly effective massed armaments, prepositioned on the forward lines of conflict, within a two-to-three year timeframe.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Issue Brief

Oct 7, 2024

Strategic stability in the third nuclear age

By Matthew Kroenig

The world is entering a third nuclear age. This brief explores global strategic stability in the 2020s and 2030s.

NATO Nuclear Deterrence
Earth view from a balloon in the stratosphere on 19 June 2013. Photo: Patrick Cullis, NOAA / CIRES

Issue Brief

Oct 4, 2024

Accelerating climate intervention research to improve climate security

By Kelly Wanser and Ira Straus

With many experts concerned that efforts to mitigate climate change will be inadequate, what are the potential risks and benefits of solar radiation modification and how can research, international cooperation, and governance be advanced?

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
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