Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS)

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 (OSD), Joint Staff, Services, and combatant commands (COCOMs).

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Mr. Todd Pennington (center), INSS Senior Research Fellow for Space Strategy and Policy, discussed "dual-use" space technology as a panelist at a recent event hosted by the Colorado Space Business Roundtable. The panel, moderated by Skip Smith (Chair of the Space and Satellite Industry Group at Greenberg Traurig) also included Dennis Burnett (General Counsel for Hawkeye 360), Professor Jack Beard (Director of the Space, Cyber, and National Security Law Program at Nebraska College of Law), and Matt Linton (General Counsel for True Anomaly).

INSS Participates in Panel to Discuss Dual-Use Space Technology

Mr. Todd Pennington, INSS Senior Research Fellow for Space Strategy and Policy, discussed "dual-use" space technology as a panelist at a recent event hosted by the Colorado Space Business Roundtable.

Dr. Denise Natali (left) speaks to Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, His Excellency Sedat Önal (right), at the National Defense University on 29 January 2025.

INSS hosts Roundtable with Turkish Ambassador

INSS was pleased to host the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, His Excellency Sedat Önal, at the National Defense University on 29 January 2025.

The New York Times | 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.

Marine yells orders to squad members during Integrated Training Exercise.

| April 17, 2025

Joint Force Quarterly 117 (2nd Quarter 2025)

NDU Press

Communication is a critical element to the human experience.

On 25 Feb, INSS China Center Director Dr. Phillip Saunders and Senior Research Fellow Dr. Joel Wuthnow (INSS) spoke about their new book China’s Quest for Military Supremacy on the podcast, Mapping Global China Initiative, hosted by Maria Carrai at NYU Shanghai.

| March 10, 2025

China's Quest for Military Supremacy: A Conversation

Phillip Saunders and Joel Wuthnow

On 25 Feb, INSS China Center Director Dr. Phillip Saunders and Senior Research Fellow Dr. Joel Wuthnow (INSS) spoke about their new book China’s Quest for Military Supremacy on the podcast, Mapping Global China Initiative, hosted by Maria Carrai at NYU Shanghai.

A drone, lightning bolt, an image of skull and cross bones, a radioactive warning circle sign, and a biohazard sign are all juxtaposed among one another.

Mad Scientist Laboratory | Feb. 19, 2025

Drones and Biotechnological Weaponry: Emerging Risks, Strategic Threats, and Viable Readiness

Dr. Diane DiEuliis and Dr. James Giordano

Dr. Diane DiEuliis (CSWMD), in collaboration with Dr. James Giordano (CDTFW) from INSS, delve into the formidable challenge posed by the convergence of drone technology, synthetic biology, and gene-editing.

Highlighted Articles

U.S. Air Force Capt. Katleen Ybarra, and 1st Lt. Logan Pethtel, 91st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilots fly during a combat aerial refueling mission within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 30, 2022. — INSS Around the Web | May 5, 2025
China's Cockpit Advances Pose Challenges for U.S. Combat Pilots

Dr. James Giordano

China’s latest AI-enabled fighter jet systems are redefining the rules of air combat. With real-time predictive targeting and near-perfect accuracy, these advancements challenge even the most skilled U.S. pilots.
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A handout photo from the Iranian press office shows Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at a Nowruz event in Tehran on March 21. — INSS Around the Web | March 31, 2025
What Would a Military Strike on Iran Mean for the Middle East?

Mahsa Rouhi, Aziz Alghashian, and Saeid Jafari

An attack by the United States or Israel would have profound effects on domestic Iranian politics, the strategy of U.S. Gulf allies, and broader regional dynamics.
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Container feeder Charo B sailing from Cádiz for destination Tenerife, 24 November 2021 — INSS Around the Web | Feb. 3, 2025
Build Containerized Missile Ships for Rapid and Affordable Fleet Growth

Captain R. Robinson Harris, USN (ret.) and Colonel T.X. Hammes, USMC (ret.)

T.X. Hammes co-authors this article for CIMSEC, supporting building containerized missile ships for rapid and affordable fleet growth.
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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Sept. 5, 2024, launched the NROL-113 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. — INSS Around the Web | Jan. 3, 2025
The other space control: who does what in the national security space en...

Todd Pennington

In an op-ed on SpaceNews.com, Todd Pennington (Senior Research Fellow for Space Strategy and Policy) surveys several deliberations about roles and missions in the national security space enterprise.
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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.