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.

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Photo: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Photo: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Defense Budgets in an Uncertain Security Environment

Uncertainty in the current global security environment since the start of the Ukraine war has increased global defense spending as states perceive themselves to be at greater risk. But political and fiscal realities will also shape future defense spending levels.

Commentary by Seamus P. Daniels — September 16, 2025

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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

Battle Networks and the Future Force

An integrated battle network has been a major focus area for the DoD and Congress for years. This brief examines the importance of battle networks to modern military operations and presents a framework of five functional elements that make up a battle network.

Brief by Todd Harrison — August 5, 2021

Priorities and Challenges for the FY 2022 Defense Budget

Please join CSIS for a conversation on the FY 2022 defense budget with Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD), former Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning, Mackenzie Eaglen (AEI), and Todd Harrison, Director, Defense Budget Analysis and Senior Fellow, International Security Program.

Event — May 12, 2021

Rethinking the Role of Remotely Crewed Systems in the Future Force

Remotely crewed systems can help the military balance the trade-offs that resource constraints require among force structure, investment, and readiness. This report compares operating costs between remotely piloted aircraft and crewed aircraft to inform future trade-offs.

Brief by Todd Harrison — March 3, 2021

Rethinking Military Roles and Missions in a New Administration

It’s been 70 years since the Department of Defense (DoD) last formally reviewed the roles and missions set of its component services. With the creation of the Space Force and the rise of new technologies, it’s more than time for DoD to conduct a new review.

Critical Questions by Todd Harrison — February 2, 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

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

The Air Force of the Future: A Comparison of Alternative Force Structures

This CSIS ASP report compares, contrasts, and critiques three congressionally mandated studies of the Air Force’s future force structure. This analysis only considers the unclassified material released to provide an independent assessment of the current state of the Air Force.

Report by Todd Harrison — October 29, 2019