PUBLICATIONS

Through its publications, INSS aims to provide expert insights, cutting-edge research, and innovative solutions that contribute to shaping the national security discourse and preparing the next generation of leaders in the field.

 

Publications

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Category: Strategic Insights

A U.S. Soldier in camouflage uniform and tactical gear looks at a large digital display showing a glowing map of the world with blue cyber-like graphics and data overlays, symbolizing cyber warfare or digital defense operations.

Sept. 17, 2025

Autonomous Artificial Intelligence in Armed Conflict: Toward a Model of Strategic Integration, Ethical Authority, and Operational Constraint

Artificially intelligent systems are being developed to have iteratively autonomous function, and these systems are increasingly being considered for use in military settings, weapon platforms, and operations.

Image of a pile of microplastic chips.

Sept. 8, 2025

Tiny Particles, Big Stakes: The Strategic Implications of Micro‑ and Nanoplastics

During World War II, plastic production was ramped up to meet demands from the defense industry. In the post-war consumer culture, using technological innovations and advanced synthesis methods to create and manipulate isomers, synthetic polymers became an integral part of our daily existence. Since then, global plastic production has increased exponentially, and current production is over 502.5 million tons (MT) worldwide. At this trajectory and barring any binding treaty to limit plastic production, the number is on track to more than double by 2050.

Digital illustration of a soldier in profile view wearing a helmet and tactical gear, rendered in glowing neon lines of blue and purple against a dark background, evoking a futuristic or cybernetic military concept.

Sept. 3, 2025

Disruptive Technologies in Current and Future Warfare: Definition and Depiction of Uses and Implications

This week, the Center for Disruptive Technology and Future Warfare (DTFW) of the Institute for National Strategic Studies is presenting its first major conference, addressing DTFW at large, and in-depth. In the spirit of this conference, I believe it important to afford a definition of the term(s), and brief view – and implications - of those technologies that are viable for use in current and near-future warfare engagements.

Digital illustration of a human head profile with a glowing brain composed of circuitry, overlaid on a digital background of electronic circuits, symbolizing artificial intelligence and the fusion of technology with the human mind.

Aug. 25, 2025

Moving at WARP Speed Toward Developing the Cyborg Soldier

There is an adage that the fruits of scientific achievement applicable to real-world settings tend to blossom with the fertilization of time and trends.

Left map: Titled "All Senior Military Leader Engagements with Africa". Countries are shaded in green by number of senior leader visits (1–27). South Africa and Sudan have the highest with 27 visits each, followed by Zambia (16), Angola (15), and Tanzania (15). Other countries show smaller numbers, ranging from 1 to 13. Right map: Titled "CMC Vice Chair Travel to Africa". Countries are shaded in light to dark green by number of visits (1–2). Tanzania has the most with 2 visits, while Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique each have 1. Most other countries are gray (no visits).

Aug. 20, 2025

China’s Military Diplomacy in Africa

This article shows another application for regional researchers, analysts, and policymakers. Specifically, it uses the database to explore some specific aspects of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA’s) evolving engagement in Africa.

Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan meets with Vietnamese Minister of Defense Ngo Xuan Lich in Beijing, January 13, 2017.

Aug. 5, 2025

Visualizing China’s Military Diplomacy

The National Defense University (NDU) recently released a major update to its comprehensive, publicly available database tracking the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) international military-diplomatic engagements from 2002 to 2024.

Yellow triangular sign with a bold black border featuring a black biohazard symbol in the center, indicating the presence of biological hazards.

July 28, 2025

Bold New Bioweapons: Part 2 — Bold Bolstering of Deterrence and Defense

Last week’s Strategic Insights addressed how biotechnology has emerged as a foundational and formidable element in the evolving character of warfare. The integrative convergence of big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced bioengineering and manufacturing has created rapidly expanding dual-use capabilities that can be leveraged in both non-kinetic and kinetic engagements.

Yellow triangular sign with a bold black border featuring a black biohazard symbol in the center, indicating the presence of biological hazards.

July 21, 2025

Bold New Bioweapons: Part 1 — The Burdens of Detection and Attribution

It has been more than fifty years since the ratification of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in 1972, which sought to provide a formalized venue for international control and prohibition of development, production, and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons.

A circuit board contains multiple examples of important microelectronics innovation. The Defense Department's microelectronics commons aims to close gaps in America's ability to bring new microelectronics technology to market.

July 14, 2025

Major Concerns About Microelectronics

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is decisively shaping the future of warfare. It accelerates decision cycles, extends operational reach, and enables exercised control of the informational, and cognitive dimensions of engagement.

A composite image showing the Pentagon building on the left, symbolizing the U.S. Department of Defense, and a close-up of multiple $100 bills on the right, representing military spending or defense budget.

July 8, 2025

Strategic Innovation in the DoD FY 2026 RDTE Budget: Leveraging Disruptive Technologies for Deterrence, Defense, and Command and Control

The Department of Defense FY 2026 Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDTE) budget request marks a strategic inflection that reflects a doctrinal shift toward convergent disruptive technologies, and with it, a re-posturing of how deterrence, defense and decisive command will be engaged on the near-future battlefield.