Amid a rapid shift in the global balance of power, CSIS offers practical solutions to the hardest national security strategy questions. CSIS’s defense and security research covers issues including traditional missile defense, nuclear weapons, aerospace security, irregular threats, democratic institutions, and the use of AI and critical minerals in defense technologies.

Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

MBS in Washington: What’s Next for U.S.–Saudi Relations?

CSIS experts Mona Yacoubian and Michael Ratney, the former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, unpack Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming visit to Washington and what it means for U.S.-Saudi relations moving forward.

Transcript — November 6, 2025

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Photo: MAHESH KUMAR A./POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: MAHESH KUMAR A./POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Rep. Adam Smith on Engaging China

November 6, 2025 • 8:30 – 9:30 am EST
Hosted by The CSIS Bipartisan Alliance for Global Health Security
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Experts

Seth G. Jones

Seth G. Jones

President, Defense and Security Department; Harold Brown Chair
Emily Harding

Emily Harding

Vice President, Defense and Security Department; Director, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program
Daniel Byman

Daniel Byman

Director, Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program
Tom Karako

Tom Karako

Director, Missile Defense Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Kari Bingen

Kari A. Bingen

Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Clayton Swope

Clayton Swope

Deputy Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Strategic Technologies Program
Bonny Lin

Bonny Lin

Director, China Power Project and Senior Adviser
Max Bergmann

Max Bergmann

Director, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and Stuart Center
Matt Pearl

Matt Pearl

Director, Strategic Technologies Program
Benjamin Jensen

Benjamin Jensen

Director, Futures Lab and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Oge Onubogu

Oge Onubogu

Director and Senior Fellow, Africa Program
Mirna Galic

Mirna Galic

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Japan Chair
Yasir Atalan

Yasir Atalan

Data Fellow, Futures Lab, Defense and Security Department
Brian Hart

Brian Hart

Deputy Director and Fellow, China Power Project
Andy Lim

Andy Lim

Deputy Director and Fellow, Korea Chair
Joseph Rodgers

Joseph Rodgers

Deputy Director and Fellow, Project on Nuclear Issues
Joel Coito

Joel Coito

Military Fellow, Defense and Security Department

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Report Launch: Project Atom 2025

Please join the Project on Nuclear Issues for a launch event for the Project Atom 2025 report on escalatory risk in the Indo-Pacific. 

Event — December 10, 2025

Rep. Adam Smith on Engaging China

A discussion with Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) on his experience leading a Congressional delegation to China in late September 2025. 

Event — November 6, 2025

The Last Line of Defense

Trump vs. Xi: Who Won?

In this episode, Seth talks with RAND's Jude Blanchette about the outcome of the Trump-Xi meeting and China's defense strategy moving forward.

Podcast Episode by Seth G. Jones — November 5, 2025

The Last Line of Defence

Russia’s Latest Nuclear Saber-Rattling: Nuclear Testing?

President Putin’s instruction for Russian military and political leaders to begin “preparations for nuclear weapons tests” follows President Trump’s similar order last week, but also fits a wider pattern of nuclear saber-rattling tied to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Critical Questions by Heather Williams and Lachlan MacKenzie — November 5, 2025

What to Expect from Secretary Hegseth’s November 7 Speech on the Arsenal of Freedom

Secretary Hegseth’s upcoming “Arsenal of Freedom” address signals a possible historic shift in U.S. defense acquisition and the industrial base—aimed at undoing decades of consolidation, revitalizing industrial capacity, and reforming how the Pentagon delivers capabilities to the warfighter.

Commentary by Jerry McGinn — November 5, 2025