Defense and Security

The CSIS Defense and Security Department tackles the most complex issues shaping the global security landscape. 

Amid a rapid shift in the global balance of power, our research offers practical solutions to the hardest national security strategy questions—from the state of U.S. readiness to the role of emerging tech in defense, and beyond. We get national security, and we aim to make it stronger. 

Defense Industrial Base Defense Budget and Acquisition Gender and International Security Intelligence Missile Defense Nuclear Issues Space and Aerospace Technology Terrorism and Irregular Warfare Wargaming and Scenarios

Introducing the CSIS Defense and Security Department

Meet Our Experts and Programs

Featured Analysis
All Department Analysis

Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images

Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images
Brief

Russia’s Grinding War in Ukraine

Listen to Audio Brief

Brief by Seth G. Jones and Riley McCabe — January 27, 2026

Department Experts

Emily Harding

Emily Harding

Vice President, Defense and Security Department; Director, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program
Kari Bingen

Kari A. Bingen

Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Daniel Byman

Daniel Byman

Director, Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program
Tom Karako

Tom Karako

Director, Missile Defense Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Williams

Heather Williams

Director, Project on Nuclear Issues and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Benjamin Jensen

Benjamin Jensen

Director, Futures Lab and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Clayton Swope

Clayton Swope

Deputy Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Joseph Rodgers

Joseph Rodgers

Deputy Director and Fellow, Project on Nuclear Issues
Yasir Atalan

Yasir Atalan

Deputy Director and Data Fellow, Futures Lab, Defense and Security Department
Joel Coito

Joel Coito

Military Fellow, Defense and Security Department
All Staff and Experts

Department Programs, Projects, and Initiatives