Defense Budget Analysis

The Defense Budget Analysis Program leads the Center’s efforts to provide in-depth, nonpartisan research and analysis of defense funding issues

Led by fellow Seamus Daniels, the program explores trends in the overall defense budget, military readiness, force structure, defense acquisitions, and military compensation in a broader effort to assess the alignment of the country’s defense strategy and its resources.

Contact Information

Featured

Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Tracking FY 2027 Defense Appropriations, Reconciliation, and the Supplemental Request

As the October 1 start of the fiscal year (FY) approaches, Congress has yet to enact defense funding for FY 2027. Seamus Daniels outlines the current status of legislation in response to the Trump administration’s $1.5 trillion defense budget request.

Critical Questions by Seamus P. Daniels — August 18, 2026

All Defense Budget Analysis Content

Filter by

1 - 10 of 84 results

Wartime Footing: A Two-Front Strategy to Confront China and Russia

The United States and its allies face a growing threat from an axis led by China and Russia. This report outlines a two-war planning construct focused on Asia and Europe, and a wartime industrial base focused on low-cost unmanned systems and long-range precision strike.

Report by Seth G. Jones, Seamus P. Daniels, Riley McCabe, and Daniel Byman — June 8, 2026

Audio Briefs

Unpacking the $1.5 Trillion FY 2027 Defense Budget Topline

An audio version of "⁠Unpacking the $1.5 Trillion FY 2027 Defense Budget Topline⁠," a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Seamus P. Daniels. This audio was generated with text to speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Seamus P. Daniels — April 10, 2026

Audio Briefs

Unpacking the $1.5 Trillion FY 2027 Defense Budget Topline

On April 3, the White House released details of its defense budget request for FY 2027. Seamus Daniels unpacks the $1.5 trillion topline requested for national defense and its implications for congressional action.

Critical Questions by Seamus P. Daniels — April 10, 2026

Outlining the Challenges to U.S. Naval Shipbuilding

The U.S. naval shipbuilding enterprise struggles to produce ships at the scale and speed demanded despite being a bipartisan priority for successive administrations and Congress. The White House must tackle complex, longstanding challenges to improve shipbuilding capacity.

Report by CSIS Scholars — December 16, 2025

What a Government Shutdown Would Mean for Defense Funding in FY 2026

With Congress failing to pass a continuing resolution to start FY 2026, the Department of Defense faces a shutdown until legislators take action to fund the federal government. Seamus Daniels explains the implications for the Department of Defense.

Critical Questions by Seamus P. Daniels — September 30, 2025

Audio Briefs

What a Government Shutdown Would Mean for Defense Funding in FY 2026

An audio version of “⁠What a Government Shutdown Would Mean for Defense Funding in FY 2026,⁠” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Seamus P. Daniels. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Seamus P. Daniels — September 30, 2025

Audio Briefs