Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS)

Banner for the "Symposium: Deter, Counter, and Defeat: WMD Challenges for the Joint Warfighter," held July 16–17, 2025. The background features a collage of military imagery including a soldier in a gas mask, helicopters, amphibious troops, fighter jets, and a bomber aircraft. Silhouettes of soldiers and WMD (nuclear, biological, chemical) hazard symbols appear along the bottom. Logos at the bottom represent the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Institute for National Strategic Studies, and National Defense University.

Annual Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Symposium

The INSS Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction invites you to join them on 16-17 July 2025 for their Annual WMD Symposium: "Deter, Counter, and Defeat: WMD Challenges for the Joint Warfighter."

Denise Natali, Director of INSS, stands with Ecole de Guerre group outside National Defense University.

INSS hosts École de Guerre students at NDU

On 8 May, INSS and faculty from CIC, CISA and NWC hosted the annual academic exchange between Ecole de Guerre students and NDU faculty.

INSS hosted Mr. Manabu Imakyurei (second from right), President of Japan’s National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) on 19 March 2025 for a discussion on regional issues. INSS China Center Director Dr. Phil Saunders (front left) and VADM P.A. Garvin USN, President of NDU (second from the left), welcomed him to the University.

INSS hosts President of Japan’s National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS)

INSS hosted Mr. Manabu Imakyurei, President of Japan’s National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) on 19 March 2025 for a discussion on regional issues.

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U.S. Army Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment arrive at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, Oct. 7, 2024, during the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 25-1.

INSS advances the NDU mission in support of the joint warfighter.

INSS provides strategic and research support to the Office of Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, Services, and combatant commands.

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Strategic Insights | June 24, 2025

Brain Scanning: Assessing Emigration of U.S. Scientific Talent to Surveille Strategic Implications for China’s Dual-Use Technological Capabilities

Dr. Diane DiEuliis and Dr. James Giordano

Intensifying global competition in science and technology (S/T), particularly in fields with considerable disruptive potential - such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, synthetic biology, and neurotechnology—has become a defining feature of 21st-century geopolitical dynamics.

China Strategic Perspectives 19 | June 23, 2025

China's Military Diplomacy

Phillip C. Saunders and Melodie Ha

Chinese military diplomacy serves both strategic and operational goals. The main strategic goals are supporting Chinese foreign policy and shaping the strategic environment; operational goals include supporting People’s Liberation Army (PLA) modernization and collecting intelligence on foreign militaries. Military diplomacy is a tool for building foreign relations and an indicator of the quality of China’s bilateral relationships. When relations are strained, military-diplomatic engagements decrease or stop; when relations are good, engagements tend to increase.

INSS Strategic Insights | June 16, 2025

The “Ins” and “Outs” of Cognitive Warfare: What’s the Next Move?

Elise Annett and Dr. James Giordano

INSS has relaunched Strategic Insights. Read the latest post by Elise Annett and Dr. James Giordano.

Dictyostelium amoebae on a glass surface, immunoprobed with antiactin (green) and antibody against fucose-O-serine-containing peptides (red) and counterstained with DAPI (blue) for nuclei. (Copyright © 2025 Tiwari et al.

mSphere | June 5, 2025

Dual use and gain-of-function research: a significant endeavor with biosecurity imperatives

Dr. Diane DiEuliis and Dr. James Giordano

Drs. Diane DiEuliis and James Giordano published a new paper entitled “Dual use and gain-of-function research: a significant endeavor with biosecurity imperatives”, in the international, peer-reviewed journal mSphere.

Highlighted Articles

U.S. Marines with Animal Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to embark an MV-22B Osprey aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 265 (Rein.) during a quick response force rehearsal as a part of MEU Exercise, at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 3, 2025. — INSS Around the Web | May 27, 2025
How China Could Counter U.S. Intervention in War Over Taiwan

Dr. Joel Wuthnow

Has Beijing found a new “assassin’s mace” to keep the U.S. military out of a fight over Taiwan?
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U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jack Love, U.S. Forces Korea Senior Enlisted Advisor (right), along with U.S and ROK senior leaders pose inside an AAVP-7A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicle during the Ulchi Freedom Shield Battlefield Circulation, Aug. 22, 2024. — INSS Around the Web | May 20, 2025
The South Korea-US Alliance Is Due for an Overhaul

Dr. Clint Work

At a time of growing U.S.-China competition, the purpose of the alliance is once again becoming a subject of debate.
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Split-screen image with text on the left and a futuristic military scene on the right. The left side features bold orange and yellow text on a black background reading, "Winning the Future: The U.S. Military's Need for Technological Dominance and Defined Strategic Vision." The right side depicts heavily armed soldiers in advanced exosuits moving through a war-torn urban street, with drones flying overhead and holographic interfaces displayed from their equipment. The atmosphere is tense, suggesting a high-tech battlefield of the future. — | May 22, 2025
Winning the Future: The U.S. Military’s Need for Technological Dominance...

Dr. James Giordano and Elise Annett

This blog post explores how our Joint Force, its constituent Services, and our Allies and Partners can rise to meet this Operational Environment challenge through the “prioritized strategic integration of AI and battlefield autonomy within U.S.
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INSS Around the Web | May 6, 2025

Xi Can’t Trust His Own Military

Phillip C. Saunders and Joel Wuthnow

An unending purge in China's top military ranks raises serious questions over the country's readiness for offensive war.

Featured Experts

Phillip C. Saunders

Director, CSCMA

Areas of Expertise: China; Asia and the Pacific; International Political Economy; Deterrence;

Thomas F. Lynch III

Distinguished Research Fellow, CSMP

Asia and the Indo-Pacific (South and Central Asia); Middle East and North Africa (Gulf Arab States); Great Power Competition (GPC); Counter-terrorism

Jaclyn Kerr

Senior Research Fellow, CDTFW

Defense and Technology Futures, Digital and Emerging Technologies

T.X. Hammes

Distinguished Research Fellow, CSMP

Future Strategic Concepts; Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief; Insurgency/Irregular Warfare

Institute for National Strategic Studies

Advancing National Security Through Research and Analysis

Foundation

Founded in 1984, the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) serves as the dedicated research arm of the National Defense University. INSS is comprised of four research centers and NDU Press.

Experts

Our experts provide indispensable strategic and research support to key stakeholders, including the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Services, and combatant commands. This commitment ensures that our nation's decision-makers are equipped with the latest insights and analysis.

Research Faculty

Our research faculty not only teach and advise students but also actively contribute to groundbreaking research and knowledge creation. This comprehensive approach is designed to advance strategic thinking and cultivate the next generation of national security leaders.