Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group
Strengthening our understanding of the relationship between the Department of Defense and its industrial base
DIIG provides timely, in-depth analysis on the critical issues at the cross-section of the Department of Defense and its industrial base. With a focus on defense acquisition trends, technological innovation, security cooperation, and ongoing reform efforts, DIIG monitors important developments in the global defense industry. DIIG’s products consist of major research projects, published reports, commentaries, interviews, and events.
Contact Information
- Katy Buda
- Associate Director, Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group
- kbuda@csis.org
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Samuel Cestari
- Media Relations Coordinator, External Relations
- 202.775.7317
- scestari@csis.org
Latest Analysis

Photo: Courtesy photo from JMSDF
Accelerating Australia’s Defense Capabilities and Enhancing Industrial Cooperation with the United States
Commentary by Cynthia Cook and Charles Edel — March 12, 2025

Enhancing Defense Industrial Cooperation Between Australia and the United States
Report by Cynthia Cook, Charles Edel, Kathryn Paik, Gregory Sanders, Henry H. Carroll, Katy Buda, and John Augé — March 3, 2025

The Arsenal of Instability: How Expanding Western Defense Production Impacts Negotiations in Ukraine
Commentary by Alexander Palmer and Audrey Aldisert — December 17, 2024

Burden Sharing via Modular Open Systems Approaches: A Collaborative Path to Affordable Mass
Commentary by Gregory Sanders and Audrey Aldisert — December 10, 2024

Alternative Funding Mechanisms in Review
Report by Erin L. Murphy, Cynthia Cook, Emily Harding, Gregory Sanders, Nicholas Velazquez, Julia Dickson, and Maeve Sockwell — November 21, 2024
Featured Event
The National Defense Industrial Strategy: The Way Ahead
Featured Topics
All Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group Content
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The Defense Industrial Implications of Putin’s Appointment of Andrey Belousov as Minister of Defense
Commentary by Nicholas Velazquez, Maeve Sockwell, and Cynthia Cook — May 23, 2024
The Defense Industrial Implications of Putin’s Appointment of Andrey Belousov as Minister of Defense
Podcast Episode by Nicholas Velazquez, Maeve Sockwell, and Cynthia Cook — May 23, 2024

Expanding the Tool Kit to Counter China's Economic Coercion
Report by Cynthia Cook, Gregory Sanders, Alexander Holderness, John Schaus, Nicholas Velazquez, Audrey Aldisert, Henry H. Carroll, and Emily Hardesty — May 6, 2024
Executive Summary: "Expanding the Tool Kit to Counter China's Economic Coercion"
Podcast Episode by Cynthia Cook, Gregory Sanders, Alexander Holderness, John Schaus, Nicholas Velazquez, Audrey Aldisert, Henry H. Carroll, and Emily Hardesty — May 6, 2024

Modernizing Army Software Acquisition: Panel Discussion with DASA(SAR) Margaret Boatner and PEO IEW&S BG Ed Barker
Event — April 19, 2024
How Supporting Ukraine Is Revitalizing the U.S. Defense Industrial Base
Commentary by Elizabeth Hoffman, Audrey Aldisert, Cynthia Cook, Gregory Sanders, and Shivani Vakharia — April 18, 2024
Investing in Resilience as a Response to a Military Threat in Europe
Congressional Testimony by Cynthia Cook and Anna Dowd — April 18, 2024
Strengthening Australia-U.S. Defence Industrial Cooperation: Keynote Panel
Event — April 5, 2024
The Future of U.S.-Japan Defense Industrial Cooperation
Event — March 20, 2024