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.  

About the Missile Defense Project

Learn more about the Missile Defense Project and the network of experts, staff, and non-resident affiliates who contribute to our analysis.

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Photo: Airman 1st Class Jack Rodriguez

Photo: Airman 1st Class Jack Rodriguez

HTK Series

A public discussion series with Heather Williams, Tom Karako, and Kari Bingen offering real-time context and commentary on national security developments and strategic forces issues

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Photo: CSIS Missile Defense Project

Photo: CSIS Missile Defense Project

Mesh Sensing for Air and Missile Defense

Affordable mass has become the watchword of defense modernization, be it swarms of drones or satellite constellations. What could such an approach mean for air and missile defense? Networks of passive, proliferated sensors could make one meaningful contribution. 

Report by Masao Dahlgren, Patrycja Bazylczyk, and Tom Karako — July 21, 2025

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Photo: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Derek Hamilton/Released

Photo: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Derek Hamilton/Released

Strategic Landpower Dialogue  

The Strategic Landpower Dialogue is a quarterly event series featuring senior Army officers and leaders to discuss critical landpower issues

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Long-Range Strike Systems

Missile Threat

Missile Threat brings together a wide range of information and analysis relating to the proliferation of cruise and ballistic missiles around the world and the air and missile defense systems designed to defeat them.

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Russia’s Nuclear-Powered Burevestnik Missile: Implications for Missile Defense

Nuclear-powered cruise missiles are not a new idea—they’re just a bad idea. While Russia’s Burevestnik missile is grabbing headlines, it does not fundamentally change Russia’s ability to hold the U.S. homeland at risk or the strategic balance between the two states. 

Critical Questions by Patrycja Bazylczyk and Hannah Freeman — November 4, 2025

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Modernization

Today’s global threat landscape is accompanied by the advent of a new missile age, one defined by a surge in the global supply and demand for a broad and diverse spectrum of strike capabilities as well as the means to counter them.

Congressional Testimony by Tom Karako — October 9, 2025

MTCR Reform: What's a Missile?

Please join the CSIS Defense and Security Department for a conversation on Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) reform.

Event — September 24, 2025

War and the Modern Battlefield: Insights from Ukraine and the Middle East

The United States faces one of the most dangerous international security environments in recent history. While some aspects of warfare remain perennial, the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are showing how others are rapidly evolving on the modern battlefield.

Digital Report by The CSIS Defense and Security Department — September 16, 2025

Audio Briefs

The Enduring Role of Fires on the Modern Battlefield

An audio version of “⁠The Enduring Role of Fires on the Modern Battlefield⁠,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Tom Karako and Hannah Freeman. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Tom Karako and Hannah Freeman — September 16, 2025

Audio Briefs

The Enduring Role of Fires on the Modern Battlefield

Artillery has long been known as the “king of battle,” and for good reason. The future of warfare will likely be characterized by an increased demand signal for offensive and defensive fires.

Commentary by Tom Karako and Hannah Freeman — September 16, 2025

China's Military on Parade

Please join the CSIS Defense and Security Department for a conversation on China's military parade.

Event — September 4, 2025