Missile Defense Project
Authoritative analysis on missile defense and related issues
The Missile Defense Project at CSIS looks at a wide range of policy, program, and strategic issues related to missile defense. Technological and geopolitical factors have driven increased global supply and demand for high-velocity, unmanned, missile-based weapons and their corresponding counters. Besides more recognized cruise and ballistic missile threats, global missile proliferation now consists of a spectrum including precision-guided rockets, anti-ship missiles, air defenses, hypersonic delivery systems, and counterspace weapons.
Contact Information
- Shaan Shaikh
- Deputy Director and Fellow, Missile Defense Project
- sshaikh@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
Featured Analysis
Putin’s Missile War
This CSIS report explores Russia’s evolving missile campaign against Ukraine from the opening days of the invasion to present day, the sources of Russian underperformance, and the specific missile systems Russia has deployed.
Report by Ian Williams — May 5, 2023
Past Events
The Arms of the Future: A Book Talk with Jack Watling
Getting on Track: Space and Airborne Sensors for Hypersonic Missile Defense
Countering Uncrewed Aerial Systems: A Conversation with General Sean Gainey
Strategic Landpower Dialogue: A Conversation with General James Dickinson
Strategic Landpower Dialogue: A Conversation with General Charles Flynn
Strategic Landpower Dialogue: A Conversation with Secretary Christine Wormuth & General Randy George
Integration of the U.S. Missile Defense Enterprise
Missile Defense in Israel: A Conversation with Moshe Patel
In the News
South China Sea: will Beijing ramp up militarisation after US missile system deployed in the Philippines?
Shaan Shaikh in South China Morning Post — April 18, 2024
Defense & Aerospace Air Power Podcast [Apr 18, 24] Season 2 E15: Spear It in the Sky
Tom Karako in GE Aerospace — April 18, 2024
What Iran’s attack on Israel revealed about its weapons arsenal
Tom Karako in The Washington Post — April 17, 2024
Drone-and-Missile Warfare Tests Supply-Strapped Defense Systems
Tom Karako in The Wall Street Journal — April 17, 2024
How Israel Defended Against Iran's Drone and Missile Attack
Tom Karako in Wired — April 14, 2024
U.S. details Pentagon’s role in defending Israel from Iranian attack
Tom Karako in The Washington Post — April 14, 2024
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
Shaan Shaikh in Shepard — April 11, 2024
A warning to China? US plans to deploy medium-range missile launchers in the Asia-Pacific
Shaan Shaikh in South China Morning Post — April 9, 2024
All Missile Defense Project Content
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Missile Defense Is Compatible with Arms Control
Commentary by Robert Soofer — April 29, 2021
Missile Defense and Defeat: A Conversation with the Vice Chairman
Event — February 23, 2021
Online Event: A New Strategy for Countering Small Unmanned Aerial Systems
Event — January 8, 2021
Five Types of International Cooperation for Missile Defense
Commentary — December 10, 2020
Five Types of International Cooperation for Missile Defense
Brief by Kevin Fashola — December 9, 2020
Bad Idea: Ignoring Congressional Oversight on Space Sensor Development
Commentary — December 8, 2020
The Air and Missile War in Nagorno-Karabakh: Lessons for the Future of Strike and Defense
Commentary — December 8, 2020
The Air and Missile War in Nagorno-Karabakh: Lessons for the Future of Strike and Defense
Critical Questions by Shaan Shaikh and Wes Rumbaugh — December 8, 2020
Adapting to the Hypersonic Era
Commentary — November 2, 2020
America Should Integrate a Strike Capability With Its Missile Defense Systems
Commentary — September 8, 2020