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: CSIS Missile Defense Project

Photo: CSIS Missile Defense Project

Getting on Track: Space and Airborne Sensors for Hypersonic Missile Defense

The Department of Defense is racing to build a constellation of satellites for tracking elusive hypersonic missiles. As these first satellites enter orbit, how should policymakers measure success? In a new report, CSIS unpacks the tradeoffs involved and pitfalls to avoid.

Report by Masao Dahlgren — December 18, 2023

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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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Army Air Defense in Action

Please join the CSIS Missile Defense Project for a conversation on recent U.S. Army air defense operations, including the largest-ever Patriot engagement following Iran's attack on Al Udeid Air Base. 

Event — July 8, 2025

U.S. Bombs Iran: What Comes Next?

Join CSIS Directors Heather Williams, Kari Bingen, and Tom Karako for a discussion on the future of Iran's nuclear program.

Event — June 27, 2025

The Truth of the Matter

Emergency Podcast: How Degraded is Iran’s Nuclear and Missile Program?

CSIS Missile Threat Program director Tom Karako joins the podcast to assess conflicting reports about the degradation of Iran’s nuclear and missile program and how soon Iran may be able to rebuild.  

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Tom Karako — June 25, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter
Audio Briefs

Weather Research and Missile Defense: Save for a Rainy Day

An audio version of “⁠Weather Research and Missile Defense: Save for a Rainy Day⁠,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Masao Dahlgren and Patrycja Bazylczyk. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs

Podcast Episode by Masao Dahlgren and Patrycja Bazylczyk — June 23, 2025

Audio Briefs
The Truth of the Matter

Israel-Iran: Is Time Running Out?

CSIS's Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project and senior fellow in the Defense and Security Department, joins the podcast to discuss the Israel-Iran conflict—who's winning, who's losing, whether the United States will get involved, and what we should be looking for next.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Tom Karako — June 17, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter