Through its publications, INSS provides rigorous, forward‑looking research and analysis on critical national security issues that support the joint warfighter and inform Department of War decision‑makers.
March 31, 2026
South Korea Doesn’t Fully Control Its Own Military. Can Lee Jae-myung Finally Change That?
Dr. Clint Work was interviewed by The Diplomat about his seven-part "Variables of OPCON" article series.
Dec. 2, 2025
Can Seoul Take the Lead & The Alliance Expand Its Aperture?
South Korea taking a lead role in conventional deterrence of North Korea, appears linked with enabling the U.S. conventional posture and the alliance's combined posture on the peninsula to better handle multiple threats to the alliance on, around, and beyond it.
The Variables of OPCON: What "Conditions"?
Language around wartime operational control (OPCON) transition has evolved over the last decade, revealing important patterns and subtle (or not so subtle) shifts in position and policy.
Aug. 1, 2025
The Variables of OPCON
The control rod logic, while not outwardly promoted by U.S. officials, had reemerged to shape the process around the status of wartime OPCON.
June 10, 2025
Dr. Clint Work featured on Korea 24 Radio Show
On 10 June, Dr. Clint Work provided commentary on potential changes in the U.S. force posture on the Korean Peninsula for Korea 24.
Wartime transfer of command and South Korea's original nuclear armament theory
Dr. Clint Work provided media commentary on the U.S.-ROK alliance for the Asahi Shimbun, one of Japan's oldest daily newspapers.
Dec. 9, 2024
INSS hosts counterparts from Japan (NIDS) and Korea (KIDA)
On 4 December, INSS was pleased to host our counterparts from Japan (NIDS) and Korea (KIDA) for an in-depth exchange on key Indo-Pacific security topics.
March 14, 2022
Allied Assurance and Integrated Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific
While U.S. extended deterrence capabilities within the Indo-Pacific remain robust for the purposes of deterring regional nuclear-armed adversaries, the article written by CSWMD's Dr. Justin Anderson recommends Washington devote additional time and attention to the assurance of key regional allies increasingly concerned about the rising strength of China -- and the long-term reliability of the United States. Better communicating the enduring importance of U.S. nuclear security commitments represents a key step toward convincing allies to bolster their diplomatic and defense cooperation with Washington as part of broader efforts to develop truly integrated deterrence strategies in the Indo-Pacific.
March 10, 2021
Three’s Company? Prioritizing Trilateral Deterrence Against North Korea
Dr. Shane Smith and Brad Glosserman, Tama University, recently wrote a piece for War on the Rocks arguing that the United States should prioritize and operationalize a trilateral U.S.-Japan-South Korea approach to deterring North Korea. Their article offers concrete steps toward building a trilateral deterrence partnership.
Aug. 30, 2017
North Korean Collapse: Weapons of Mass Destruction Use and Proliferation Challenges
38 North — Among all the challenges associated with a North Korean collapse, the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or movement of WMD out of the country will have the largest strategic implications.