Missile Defense

As hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aircraft systems become increasingly common on the battlefield, focusing on the full spectrum of missile threats is crucial, especially as the missile threat from China and Russia grows. CSIS research seeks innovative means to counter the full spectrum of global missile threats.

Photo: Pu Haiyang/Xinhua/Getty Images

Photo: Pu Haiyang/Xinhua/Getty Images

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

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Tom Karako

Tom Karako

Director, Missile Defense 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

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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

Reindustrialization and Great Power Competition: Deterrence by Capacity

The United States uses more munitions than are stockpiled, and its adversaries are noticing. In this piece, Dr. Benjamin Jensen argues that using capacity, a coefficient of deterrence, can alter the time horizon to solve the "empty bins" problem in Washington.

Brief by Benjamin Jensen — July 27, 2026

The Geography of Coercion: Russian Missile and Drone Campaigns in Ukraine

How does Russia decide where to strike? This analysis maps the evolving geography of Russian missile and drone attacks, revealing how Moscow targets Ukraine’s military, infrastructure, and cities to maximize coercive pressure.

Brief by Marcus Welsch, Yasir Atalan, Benjamin Jensen, and Erik Tiersten-Nyman — July 7, 2026

The War May Be Ending. What Did Epic Fury Cost?

Iran war costs are estimated to be between $34 billion and $42 billion. As neither the FY 2026 defense budget nor the FY 2027 budget request includes war costs, Congress faces a major battle over paying for the war.

Report by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park — June 23, 2026

Nuclear Armed Hypersonic Missiles | HTK

Please join the CSIS Defense and Security Department for a discussion on nuclear armed hypersonic missiles and whether the United States should reconsider its longstanding hypersonic policy.

Event — June 18, 2026