Seamus P. Daniels

Fellow, Defense Budget Analysis
Seamus P. Daniels

Seamus P. Daniels is a fellow for Defense Budget Analysis in the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he researches issues related to defense funding, force structure, and military readiness. He has authored publications on trends in the overall defense budget, the legislative process surrounding defense appropriations, defense strategy and force structure, Navy readiness funding, and NATO burden sharing. Prior to joining CSIS, Mr. Daniels worked for Government Executive Media Group. He holds an AB from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs with minors in Near Eastern studies and Arabic language and culture.

In the News

All content by Seamus P. Daniels

Filter by

1 - 10 of 28 results

U.S. Defense Posture in the Middle East

There are growing calls for a decrease in the United States' military presence in the Middle East. A new analysis from the CSIS Transnational Threats Project assesses posture options in the context of Chinese, Russian, Iranian, and other threats in the region.

Report by Seth G. Jones and Seamus P. Daniels — May 19, 2022

Photo: U.S. Air Force Photo by Alex R. Lloyd/Released/iLab/CSIS

Measuring Congressional Impact on Defense Acquisition Funding

This study measures Congress’s impact on defense acquisition funding by comparing actual funding levels for procurement and RDT&E accounts with the original levels proposed in the Defense Department’s budget request and identifies trends in congressional actions.

Report by Seamus P. Daniels and Todd Harrison — March 14, 2022

Photo: Architect of the Capitol/Flickr

Experts Preview the FY 2023 Defense Budget Request

Join the CSIS Defense Budget Analysis program on February 7, 2022 for a conversation on the forthcoming FY 2023 defense budget request.

Event by Todd Harrison , Seamus P. Daniels , Mackenzie Eaglen , Dr. Stacie Pettyjohn , Dr. Travis Sharp , and Thomas Spoehr — February 7, 2022

Photo: Staff Sgt. Brittany Chase/U.S. Air Force

Analysis of the FY 2022 Defense Budget

This report assesses the Biden administration’s FY 2022 defense budget request. It outlines the priorities and potential effects of ongoing strategic reviews, tracks current congressional action on FY 2022 defense appropriations, and identifies key issues for FY 2023.

Report by Todd Harrison and Seamus P. Daniels — December 13, 2021

PHOTO: U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTO BY LANCE CPL. JOSE GONZALEZ

Assessing Trends in Military Personnel Costs

While today’s military is near its smallest size since the end of World War II by almost all measures, personnel costs are at historically high levels. This CSIS report examines trends in military personnel costs and key drivers of growth over the past several decades.

Report by Seamus P. Daniels — September 9, 2021

Defense Budget Priorities for the Biden Administration

The Biden administration will shape its defense plans in the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 threat and historically large federal deficits. CSIS’s Seamus Daniels explores the budget landscape and potential priorities for the new Defense Department leadership.

Critical Questions by Seamus P. Daniels — February 2, 2021

Photo: Eric Dietrich

Actual Obligation Rates versus Comptroller Projected Obligation Rates

CSIS provides its assessment of budget execution for DoD acquisition accounts. This report compares obligation rate projections released by the DoD Comptroller with traditional DoD budget execution benchmarks and the actual obligation rates for acquisition accounts.

Report by Seamus P. Daniels and Todd Harrison — March 2, 2020

Photo: U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 3RD CLASS ANDREW LANGHOLF

Getting to Less? The Minimal Exposure Strategy

This is the final CSIS brief in a series called Getting to Less. In this brief, the authors discuss a strategy that they have labeled the Minimal Exposure Strategy.

Brief by Seamus P. Daniels , Rhys McCormick , Lindsey R. Sheppard , Kathleen H. Hicks , and Joseph Federici — February 6, 2020

Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class J.T. Armstrong