Defense Strategy and Capabilities

U.S. defense policy builds from the study of long-term strategic competition, technological advancement and the changing character of war, and twenty-first-century challenges to liberal democracy and national security. By assessing these issues areas alongside aspects such as global military balance, asymmetric warfare, and regional conflicts, CSIS’s defense strategy portfolio offers unparalleled insight into security challenges facing the United States.

Photo: Yoan VALAT / POOL / AFP via Getty Images

Photo: Yoan VALAT / POOL / AFP via Getty Images

The Archipelago and the Umbrella: Harmonizing French and NATO Nuclear Deterrence

France’s new “forward deterrence” concept can strengthen European security, but only if Paris coordinates carefully with NATO allies to avoid fragmented signaling, friction over basing, and political anxieties about the U.S. nuclear umbrella.

Commentary by Astrid Chevreuil and Jim Stokes — September 1, 2026

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Seth G. Jones

Seth G. Jones

President, Defense and Security Department; Harold Brown Chair
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
Max Bergmann

Max Bergmann

Director, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and Stuart Center
Benjamin Jensen

Benjamin Jensen

Director, Futures Lab 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
Brian Hart

Brian Hart

Deputy Director and Fellow, China Power Project

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U.S. and Allied Burden Sharing: A Progress Report

On this episode of All About the Base, Dr. Jerry McGinn discusses trends in defense spending and procurement across U.S. allies in Europe and East Asia, as well as joint efforts to manufacture munitions, sustain weapons systems, and stabilize critical supply chains. 

Event — September 8, 2026

Strengthening Australia's Weapons Sustainment Ecosystem

On this episode of All About the Base, Dr. Jerry McGinn unpacks the issue of resilience in the Pacific and ways to improve Australia's sustainment ecosystem with Mr. Jed Royal, former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.

Event — August 31, 2026