Masao Dahlgren

Fellow, Missile Defense Project
Masao Dahlgren

Masao Dahlgren is a fellow with the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he writes on missile defense, space, and emerging technologies. In addition to his writing, he has presented at conferences including the Hypersonic Innovation Conference and Directed Energy Technology Symposium and appeared in outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Axios, CNBC, and others. Prior to joining CSIS, he worked at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, U.S. Department of Justice, and NVIDIA Corporation.

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Star Wars

Masao Dahlgren cited in Tectonic Defense — January 30, 2025

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AI Diffusion and Defense Production

Please join the CSIS Defense and Security Department for a conversation on the diffusion of U.S. AI capabilities in both the civilian economy and national defense, U.S.-China competition with regards to the military adoption of AI, and the potential impacts of rulemaking over open-source AI.

Event — April 2, 2025

Defense Priorities in the Open-Source AI Debate

Open-source model regulation is the hottest debate in AI policy. Despite appeals made to national security, proposed constraints on open-source AI distribution might put defense supply chains at risk. This brief assesses those implications for the Joint Force.

Brief by Masao Dahlgren — August 19, 2024

Getting on Track: Space and Airborne Sensors for Hypersonic Missile Defense

The Department of Defense is racing to build a constellation of satellites for tracking elusive hypersonic missiles. As these first satellites enter orbit, how should policymakers measure success? In a new report, CSIS unpacks the tradeoffs involved and pitfalls to avoid.

Report by Masao Dahlgren — December 18, 2023

Boost-Phase Missile Defense

This CSIS study provides a fresh assessment of issues related to boost-phase defense, including how missile threats are evolving and broader technological trends. It examines prior boost-phase studies for lessons learned and highlights new intercept capabilities.

Report by Ian Williams, Masao Dahlgren, Thomas G. Roberts, and Tom Karako — June 24, 2022