Tom Karako

Thomas Karako is a senior fellow with the International Security Program and the director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he arrived in 2014. His research focuses on national security, missile defense, nuclear deterrence, and public law. In 2010–2011, he was an American Political Science Association congressional fellow, working with the professional staff of the House Armed Services Committee and the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces on U.S. strategic forces policy, nonproliferation, and NATO. Dr. Karako is also currently a fellow with the Institute for Politics and Strategy of Carnegie Mellon University. He received his PhD from Claremont Graduate University and his BA from the University of Dallas.
In the News
The Plan to Stop Bashar Al Assads Global Comeback
Tom Karako in Semafor — May 19, 2023
Ukraine intercepts missiles as Russia steps up strikes on Kyiv
Tom Karako in The Washington Post — May 16, 2023
Congressional concern re-emerges on fate of MDA’s hypersonic missile tracking sensors
Tom Karako in BREAKING DEFENSE — May 11, 2023
Defense & Aerospace Air Power Podcast Ep17: Spear It In the Sky
Tom Karako in DEFENSE & AEROSPACE REPORT — May 11, 2023
Russia's Kinzhal was never an unstoppable hypersonic missile, but killing one with a Patriot is still 'impressive,' expert says
Tom Karako in BUSINESS INSIDER — May 11, 2023
Leaked Documents Suggest Ukrainian Air Defense Is in Peril if Not Reinforced
Tom Karako in The New York Times — April 9, 2023
Leaked Documents Suggest Ukrainian Air Defense Is in Peril if Not Reinforced
Tom Karako in The New York Times — April 9, 2023
Leaked documents warn of weaknesses in Ukraine’s defenses
Tom Karako in The Washington Post — April 8, 2023
All content by Tom Karako
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Missile Defense in Israel: A Conversation with Moshe Patel
Event by Moshe Patel and Tom Karako — May 30, 2023
Missile Defense at 40
Event by Tom Karako — March 24, 2023
Book Event - The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the World on the Brink
Event by William Inboden and Tom Karako — February 24, 2023
Patriot to Ukraine: What Does It Mean?
Critical Questions by Mark F. Cancian and Tom Karako — December 16, 2022
The 2022 Missile Defense Review
Event by Tom Karako and Dr. John F. Plumb — November 4, 2022
Press Briefing: Analyzing the 2022 National Defense Strategy
Event by Seth G. Jones , Max Bergmann , Emily Harding , Tom Karako , Mark F. Cancian , and Kathleen McInnis — October 27, 2022
The 2022 Missile Defense Review: Still Seeking Alignment
Commentary by Tom Karako — October 27, 2022
Press Briefing: Analyzing the 2022 National Defense Strategy
Transcript by Seth G. Jones , Max Bergmann , Emily Harding , Tom Karako , Mark F. Cancian , and Kathleen McInnis — October 27, 2022
Russia’s Missile Plan
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Tom Karako — October 21, 2022

Homeland Cruise Missile Defense
Event by Tom Karako , Wes Rumbaugh , Peppi DeBiaso , and Matthew Strohmeyer — July 14, 2022