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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Photo: CSIS

Photo: CSIS

The Cost of Deterrence

May 6, 2025 • 4:30 – 5:00 pm EDT
Video On Demand
Hosted by Defense and Security

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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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Audio Briefs

Ukraine’s Drone Swarms Are Destroying Russian Nuclear Bombers. What Happens Now?

An audio version of “⁠Ukraine’s Drone Swarms Are Destroying Russian Nuclear Bombers. What Happens Now?⁠,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Masao Dahlgren and Lachlan MacKenzie. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Masao Dahlgren and Lachlan MacKenzie — June 4, 2025

Audio Briefs

America's 'Golden Dome' Explained

CSIS Defense and Security Department experts discussed the Golden Dome project, its implications for U.S. allies and partners, and ingredients for success on an ambitious timeline.

Transcript — June 4, 2025

The Truth of the Matter

The Golden Dome and the New Missile Age

Tom Karako, director of the CSIS Missile Defense Project and senior fellow in the CSIS Defense and Security Department, joins the podcast to discuss the development of the Golden Dome and how missile defense has evolved over the last decade.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Tom Karako — May 16, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter

The Golden Dome and the New Missile Age

Tom Karako, director of the CSIS Missile Defense Project and senior fellow in the CSIS Defense and Security Department, joins The Truth of the Matter to discuss the development of the Golden Dome and how missile defense has evolved over the last decade.

Transcript — May 16, 2025

Audio Briefs

Building a Golden Dome: Lessons from the 1950s

An audio version of “⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Building a Golden Dome: Lessons from the 1950s⁠⁠,” a new commentary by CSIS's Peppi DeBiaso. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Peppi DeBiaso — May 12, 2025

Audio Briefs

The Cost of Deterrence

Please join the CSIS Defense and Security Department for a conversation on the future of U.S. defense spending and the cost of American military power, featuring CSIS experts Dr. Tom Karako, Dr. Heather Williams, and Kari A. Bingen. 

Event — May 6, 2025

AI Diffusion and Defense Production

Please join the CSIS Defense and Security Department for a conversation on the diffusion of U.S. AI capabilities in both the civilian economy and national defense, U.S.-China competition with regards to the military adoption of AI, and the potential impacts of rulemaking over open-source AI.

Event — April 2, 2025