International Security Program

The CSIS International Security Program (ISP) is a constant source of reliable analysis on the international security and defense landscape, particularly with growing competition between the United States and such countries as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea

About Us

Learn more about the CSIS International Security Program, our goals, and our primary areas of research.

ISP About Us

Meet Our Experts

Meet our network of experts, staff, and non-resident affiliates who contribute to our analysis.

Seth G. Jones

Explore our Research

The CSIS International Security Program leads a rigorous analytic agenda covering the most pressing challenges facing the U.S. globally. Our research projects range from multi-year reports to short commentaries and opinion pieces on breaking news. Explore our various research projects here.

Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

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Recent Analysis

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Insights for Future Conflicts from the Russia-Ukraine War

The Russia-Ukraine conflict shocked the world, unfolding a story of adaptation, resilience, and innovation with global implications. Drawing from analysis and news coverage, this report distills 10 insights that will shape the next war.  

Digital Report by Krista Auchenbach, Nathan Lewis, Scott Murphy, Quinton Packard, Scott Pence, Luke Slivinski, and Matthew Slusher — May 8, 2025

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Global Security Forum 2024

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Gathering Strength in a Gathering Storm

Join the CSIS International Security Program for its annual Global Security Forum on April 24, 2024, featuring keynote discussions with General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Honorable Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence.

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All International Security Program Content

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The Truth of the Matter

Russia’s Battlefield Woes

Seth G. Jones, director of the CSIS Defense and Security Department and Harold Brown Chair, joins the podcast to discuss the state of the war in Ukraine and a new CSIS report on Russia’s battlefield performance.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Seth G. Jones — May 29, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter
The Truth of the Matter

Analyzing Missile Attacks in Ukraine

CSIS’s Benjamin Jensen, director of the CSIS Futures Lab and senior fellow in the CSIS Defense and Security Department, joins the podcast to discuss the CSIS Russian Firepower Strike Tracker and how to quantify wartime tactics.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Benjamin Jensen — May 9, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter

Insights for Future Conflicts from the Russia-Ukraine War

The Russia-Ukraine conflict shocked the world, unfolding a story of adaptation, resilience, and innovation with global implications. Drawing from analysis and news coverage, this report distills 10 insights that will shape the next war.  

Digital Report by Krista Auchenbach, Nathan Lewis, Scott Murphy, Quinton Packard, Scott Pence, Luke Slivinski, and Matthew Slusher — May 8, 2025

The Truth of the Matter

A Drone and Ground View From Ukraine

CSIS’ Emily Harding joins the podcast to discuss observations from her recent visit to Ukraine including drone warfare, the state of the battlefield, U.S. and European support as well as the mining deal forged by President Trump and President Zelensky.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Emily Harding — May 2, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter

What Happened at the Trump Administration’s Annual Threat Assessment Hearing?

At the worldwide threats hearings, the Trump administration’s top intelligence officials named illicit drug actors, China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea as top threats to the United States. But questions about the Signal chat largely overshadowed the hearings.

Commentary by Emily Harding and Julia Dickson — March 27, 2025

The Truth of the Matter

Russia's Shadow War Against the West

CSIS's Seth Jones, president of the CSIS Defense and Security Department, joins the podcast to discuss his new report, "Russia's Shadow War Against the West."

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Seth G. Jones — March 21, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter

The Trump-Putin Phone Call: Some Promise, Some Disappointments, and Many Questions

Today's Trump-Putin phone call included some encouraging developments, such as a ceasefire on deep strikes and a process for continued negotiations. However, there is no 30-day ceasefire, and frontline fighting will continue unabated. This is only the first step in a long process.

Commentary by Mark F. Cancian and Maria Snegovaya — March 18, 2025

How Interagency Campaigns Can Counter Chinese Gray Zone Incursions in the Pacific

The Pacific is where China is testing the edges of U.S. resistance by refining its ability to exploit gaps in governance, security, and perception management. The Trump administration has an opportunity to integrate a sustained, proactive approach to deny China the ability to shape the competitive space unchallenged.

Commentary by Benjamin Jensen, Kathleen McInnis, and Audrey Aldisert — March 13, 2025

Sealing the Interagency Cracks: The United States in Oceania

The United States has a major vulnerability it needs to address: China is exploiting an immigration loophole in the U.S. territory of Saipan, posing a security and counterintelligence threat to U.S. bases and installations in the region.

Commentary by Kathleen McInnis and Benjamin Jensen — March 13, 2025