Publications

What can we learn from "Assured Resolve," a recent CNAS exercise which identified different ways to respond to Russian aggression in the Baltic region? According to Julianne Smith and Jerry Hendrix, one conclusion is that NATO is aware it no longer has a coherent strategy to confront this type of threat, and the world knows itchevron_right

This brief focuses on the growing interest in next-generation robotic and autonomous defense systems, particularly by nation-states. While exploring this topic, the text’s authors consider 1) to what ...chevron_right

A year ago, US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter issued "Rewiring the Pentagon," a report which took stock of the reforms and innovations occurring within his department (DoD). This follow-on text contributes its own findings, which point out...chevron_right

This brief 1) lays out the range of decisions the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea could reach in the case commonly known as Philippines vs China, and 2) concludes that the tribunal's ruli...chevron_right

This paper contends that shared and improved maritime domain awareness (MDA) – that is, the networked, almost real-time understanding of air and sea activities in the South China Sea – will help 1) pr...chevron_right

This paper lays out a phased Middle East strategy that the incoming US administration could pursue from 2017-24. The strategy involves...chevron_right

In this US Congressional testimony, CNAS' Michael Horowitz describes 1) the rising threat to US aircraft carriers posed by anti-ship cruise missiles, and 2) how the US Navy can sustain carrier aviatio...chevron_right

In this US Congressional testimony, CNAS’ Julianne Smith highlights the strains the European Union is currently experiencing. The external problems include the migration crisis, the threat of terroris...chevron_right

In anticipation of the 2016 US presidential elections, this paper provides nine national security-centered recommendations for the successful candidate to consider. The recommendations revolve around ...chevron_right

What are the risks of using autonomous weapon systems in future wars? What guidelines should exist to evaluate these risks? And finally, are semiautonomous systems a better alternative, particularly given the restraining effects human beings have within them? Today, Paul Scharre answers these questions and others.chevron_right

In the wake of China's deployment of surface-to-air missile launchers (SAMs) to the Woody Islands in the South China Sea, this report examines the short-, medium-, and long-range anti-access/area deni...chevron_right

The Pentagon's budgeting cycle, which is known as the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process, is infamously complex. Today, Michelle Shevin-Coetzee highlights three blatant ways in which it breaks down and what the US Department of Defense should do to correct PPBE’s ‘irrational’ elements.chevron_right

This paper analyzes the concept of naval presence and how the US Navy's commitment to it affects international security. The text's author specifically examines 1) the practical realities of the conce...chevron_right

For many years, the United States has been able to exploit the advantages of space without having to worry too much about defending its space-borne assets. According to this paper, this legacy approac...chevron_right

Although many aspects of ground warfare will probably not change in the future, Paul Sharre believes that advanced technologies will increase the lethality of ground combat and expose everyone's actions – and inactions – as they occur. As a result, US ground forces will have to make important adjustments if they hope to survive.chevron_right