The International Security Program (ISP) conducts objective, policy-relevant, and impactful research and analysis on a wide range of international security and defense topics. Our research informs critical policy debates on the growing competition between the United States and such countries as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Allies and partners play a key role in competition, including by deterring aggression. ISP also provides cutting-edge insights, grounded in data, on continuing challenges from non-state actors, such as terrorists, cyber criminals, and other criminal organizations, and on complex problems like state fragility and conflicts resulting from climate change.

ISP's Research covers several main areas:

  • Civics as a national security imperative
  • Defense budget analysis
  • Defense industrial base
  • Emerging technologies
  • Force posture
  • Fragility and mobility
  • Intelligence and counterintelligence
  • Irregular warfare
  • Military operations and defense strategy
  • Missiles and missile defense
  • Nuclear issues
  • Space and aerospace
  • Terrorism and counterterrorism
  • Threats to democratic institutions
  • Wargames and the future of warfare
  • Women and national security

ISP provides the U.S. Congress, executive branch, judicial branch, U.S. public, allies and partners, media, and private sector with relevant analysis needed to make tough decisions. ISP regularly assembles global thought leaders to explore critical national and international security issues.

International Security Program Leadership


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Seth G. Jones
Senior Vice President; Harold Brown Chair; and Director, International Security Program
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Emily Harding
Director, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program and Deputy Director, International Security Program