Center for Strategy and Military Power

Director: Dr. Kim Cragin

The Center for Strategy and Military Powe (CSMP) mission is to conduct objective, rigorous, and timely research on key national security issues. CSMP research and analysis responds to the needs of decisionmakers in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, combatant commands, Services, as well as other national security stakeholders. It also pays particular attention to emerging strategic trends that pose longer term challenges for U.S. national security.

CSMP has embedded three fellows over the last 18 months to the Joint Staff/J5 as part of the INSS Detailee Program. CSMP Fellows also contribute to joint professional military education by teaching, advising, and lecturing.

Meet the CSMP Experts

Lisa Aronsson

Lisa Aronsson Research Fellow, CSMP

Kim Cragin Director and Distinguished Research Fellow, CSMP

T.X. Hammes, Distinguished Research Fellow, CSR

T.X. Hammes Distinguished Research Fellow, CSMP

Mr. Bryce Loidolt, Research Fellow

Bryce Loidolt Senior Research Fellow, CSMP

Distinguished Research Fellow, CSR

Thomas F. Lynch III Distinguished Research Fellow, CSMP

Jeff Mankoff

Jeffrey Mankoff Distinguished Research Fellow, CSMP

Biography photo of Todd Pennington

Todd Pennington Senior Research Fellow, CSMP

Mahsa Rouhi

Mahsa Rouhi Research Fellow, CSMP

Brett Swaney

Brett Swaney Assistant Research Fellow, CSMP

Recent Articles

Space | March 10, 2025

INSS Joins Panel at USSPACECOM's Fifth Annual Legal Conference

Todd Pennington, INSS Senior Research Fellow for Space Strategy and Policy, was featured on a panel at the U.S. Space Command's Fifth Annual Legal Conference.

INSS Around the Web | March 25, 2025

China’s exploitation of overseas ports and bases

This paper examines the potential for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to exploit its growing network of overseas ports and bases to challenge control of the seas in a conventional war with the United States.

INSS Around the Web | March 31, 2025

What Would a Military Strike on Iran Mean for the Middle East?

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.