Chris H. Park

Research Associate, Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy
Chris H. Park

Chris H. Park is a research associate for the Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He researches Northeast Asian security and defense planning. Prior to CSIS, he was a graduate research assistant for former Deputy Director of Central Intelligence John E. McLaughlin and an undergraduate research assistant for Dr. Steven R. David. Chris holds an MA in international relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a BA in international studies from Johns Hopkins University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

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$3.7 Billion: Estimated Cost of Epic Fury’s First 100 Hours

Operation Epic Fury costs nearly $900 million per day, driven by the large expenditure of munitions. Because most of this is not in the budget, the Pentagon will soon need to ask for more money.

Commentary by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park — March 5, 2026

With Trump’s Middle East Buildup, Think Desert Fox—Not Desert Storm

The United States appears poised to attack Iran just eight months after Operation Midnight Hammer. While U.S. military presence in the Middle East is at its highest level since five carrier battle groups assembled at the outset of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, it lacks the size and capabilities needed for major combat operations or regime change.

Analysis by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park — February 27, 2026

Russia-Ukraine War in 10 Charts

Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has reshaped European security, global markets, and the balance of power. These 10 charts break down the battlefield, economic strain, military aid shifts, reconstruction costs, and what comes next.

Commentary by Seth G. Jones, Riley McCabe, Yasir Atalan, Benjamin Jensen, Romina Bandura, Emma Curtis, Caitlin Welsh, Otto Svendsen, Max Bergmann, Mark F. Cancian, and Chris H. Park — February 24, 2026

U.S. Military in the Middle East: Numbers Behind Trump’s Threats Against Iran

Eight months after Operation Midnight Hammer, the United States has again moved large air and naval forces to the Middle East. These can launch punitive strikes on Iran and protect U.S. allies and partners but lack the capability for ground operations, raids, or regime change.

Commentary by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park — February 20, 2026

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U.S. Military in the Middle East: Numbers Behind Trump’s Threats Against Iran

An audio version of “⁠U.S. Military in the Middle East: Numbers Behind Trump’s Threats Against Iran⁠,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park — February 20, 2026

Audio Briefs

The Costs and Global Trade-Offs of U.S. Military Action Against Venezuela

U.S. military operations in the Caribbean, now in their sixth month, cost $31 million per day, $3 million of which is unbudgeted. The larger cost is the strategic trade-off in the allocation of military assets: Forces in the Caribbean are not available for other hotspots.

Commentary by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park — January 15, 2026

Imagery from Venezuela Shows a Surgical Strike, Not Shock and Awe

CSIS experts analyze new satellite imagery of U.S. strikes against Venezuela carried out during the mission to capture Nicolás Maduro.

Commentary by Ryan C. Berg, Mark F. Cancian, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Jennifer Jun, Henry Ziemer, and Chris H. Park — January 9, 2026