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: Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2026

Photo: Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2026

The Houthis Enter the Iran War and Everything Gets Worse

The Houthis’ entry into the Iran war is creating a dangerous new front for Saudi Arabia—potentially forcing it into a military escalation that the United States wants to avoid.

Commentary by Michael Ratney — August 13, 2026

See all analysis on Defense and Security

Latest Podcasts

See all podcasts on Defense and Security

Past Events

See all events on Defense and Security

Related Programs

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
Alek Jovovic

Alek Jovovic

Deputy Director, Center for the Industrial Base 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

Nikita Shah

Senior Fellow, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program
Yasir Atalan

Yasir Atalan

Deputy Director and 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
Douglas Comstock

Douglas Comstock

Fellow for Satellite Imagery Analysis and Open-Source Intelligence, iDeas Lab
Aman Thakker

Aman Thakker

Fellow, Chair on India and Emerging Asia Economics
Andrew Faulhaber

Andrew Faulhaber

Visiting Fellow, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program
Ryuhei Ono

Ryuhei Ono

Visiting Fellow, Critical Minerals Security Program

All Defense and Security Content

Filter by

1 - 10 of 5982 results

Evaluating Pathways for U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation with Allies

This report examines how deeper cooperation with allies—particularly South Korea and Japan—could help the United States attain the naval capabilities it needs. 

Report by Henry H. Carroll, Cynthia R. Cook, Seamus P. Daniels, and Oliver B. Buntin — August 10, 2026

Munitions Shortages After Epic Fury

Since Operation Epic Fury began, the United States has expended thousands of advanced munitions. Tom Karako and Mark Cancian discuss the state of U.S. stockpiles, replenishment challenges, and what depleted inventories mean for deterrence, allies, and future conflicts.

Event — August 5, 2026

Flipping the Script: How to Hold China’s New Carriers at Risk

For two decades, the debate has fixated on whether China can sink a U.S. aircraft carrier. This report flips the script: as Beijing builds its own fleet of high-value carriers, how can the United States and its allies hold China’s carriers at risk?

Report by Benjamin Jensen, Mackenzie Eaglen, Henry H. Carroll, and Harold "Bud" Bishop — August 3, 2026