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

Photo: U.S. Navy Photo

Photo: U.S. Navy Photo

Trump Moves “Nuclear” Subs: Negotiating Tactic or Escalatory Gamble?

Trump sent nuclear submarines closer to Russia following a week of social media clashes with the former Russian president, while his envoy heads to Moscow to broker a ceasefire before the deadline. Amid wild speculation, this commentary assesses the latest.

Critical Questions by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park — August 6, 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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Trump Moves “Nuclear” Subs: Negotiating Tactic or Escalatory Gamble?

Trump sent nuclear submarines closer to Russia following a week of social media clashes with the former Russian president, while his envoy heads to Moscow to broker a ceasefire before the deadline. Amid wild speculation, this commentary assesses the latest.

Critical Questions by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park — August 6, 2025

High-Altitude Nuclear Explosions: Myths and Reality

What would happen if a nuclear weapon detonated in the sky, not on the ground? Would there be survivors? Would your iPhone work? This briefing dispels common misconceptions about high-altitude nuclear explosions and summarizes the current state of research on the subject.

Brief by Scott Pence and Adam F. Reynolds — July 14, 2025

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