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The Institute for National Strategic Studies serves as a focal point for analysis of critical national security policy and defense strategy issues.

 

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March 10, 2021

Three's Company? Prioritizing Trilateral Deterrence Against North Korea

In December 2018, a South Korean destroyer allegedly locked its targeting radar on a Japanese

March 9, 2021

Mars Adapting: Military Change During War

As Clausewitz observed, “In war more than anywhere else, things do not turn out as we expect.” The essence of war is a competitive reciprocal relationship with an adversary. Commanders and institutional leaders must recognize shortfalls and resolve gaps rapidly in the middle of the fog of war. The side that reacts best (and absorbs faster) increases its chances of winning.

March 9, 2021

Post-Conflict Stabilization in Yemen

Dr. Denise Natali discusses the impact of the bipartisan Global Fragility Act on US policy and other challenges in a Al-Monitor podcast.

Feb. 17, 2021

Reviving the Nuclear Deal Gives the U.S. More Leverage Over Iran

As officials in Washington consider returning to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, much of the debate has

Jan. 31, 2021

A Middle East Forum Can Help Biden Succeed

A Middle East-wide forum could facilitate dialogue and transparency on a range of short-term measures, engendering momentum to then take on other more complex items, such as regional arms control.

Jan. 6, 2021

National Security in the Post-Pandemic Era

The geopolitical implications of COVID-19 are profound in the near term, and will have a ripple

Dec. 18, 2020

Regaining the Initiative: Can the US Lead Again?

Restoring US leadership in global affairs will require a number of strategic shifts to change the trajectory set by the Trump administration. These substantial choices have to be made quickly by the new Biden team, which faces daunting domestic and political obstacles to its more internationalist approach.

Dec. 18, 2020

A Kinder, Gentler Bear? Why Rumors of Russia’s Post-Soviet Retreat Are Premature

While 2020 has been an annus horribilis pretty much everywhere, it has been particularly challenging

Nov. 10, 2020

Podcast: Change or Die

The successful military is the one that adapts and innovates. Dave Barno, Nora Bensahel, and Frank Hoffman join Ryan to talk about how the U.S. military changes, or fails to do so. They have two new books on the subject between them: Adaptation under Fire: How Militaries Change in Wartime, by Dave and Nora, is out now. And Mars Adapting: Military Change During War, by Frank, will be out soon.

Nov. 2, 2020

Designing Tomorrow’s Marine Corps

Dr. Frank Hoffman discusses why force design must be versatile, balanced, risk-informed, and strategy-driven as the Corps moves into an unknown future.


INSS Around the Web | Aug. 21, 2026

INSS Research Intern Receives STRATCOM Award

INSS Research Intern Alex Richter received the Larry D. Welch deterrence writing award on August 5 from U.S. Strategic Command at the STRATCOM Deterrence Symposium in Omaha, Nebraska for his essay titled “Chinese and US Approaches to Artificial


INSS Around the Web | Aug. 17, 2026

Beyond Cognitive Screening: Toward a Paradigm of Neurocognitive Health, ...

Read Dr. James Giordano's article in the EC Neurology journal that discusses the recent announcement that the DoW will replace the long-serving Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) with a next-generation cognitive monitoring.

INSS Around the Web | Aug. 3, 2026

Don Quixote as Morality Play: Lessons for Warfighter Identity and Ethos

Professional Military Education (PME) has long been anchored in the canonical insights of Clausewitz and Sun Tzu, foundational thinkers whose frameworks continue to inform an understanding of strategy and operational engagement.


Disruptive Technology | July 20, 2026

Cognitive Engagement as a Strategic Imperative of Irregular Warfare

Irregular warfare is one of the most enduring modalities of human conflict; persisting across epochs because it exploits asymmetries inherent in human cognition, sociopolitical organization, and technical capability.


Russia | July 10, 2026

Managing the Long-Term Russian Threat to Europe

INSS Distinguished Fellow on Russia, Eurasia, and the Arctic Dr. Jeffrey Mankoff published a CSIS report titled "Managing the Long-Term Russian Threat to Europe" on 9 July, 2026 that discusses European security and learning the right lessons from the

Homeland Defense | July 8, 2026

Space, Military Justice, and the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corp...

In his latest article in The Space Review, Todd Pennington, INSS Senior Fellow on Space Strategy and Policy, explores what the Air Force JAG Corps might look like in the future as it evolves to address a growing Space Force while it also adapts to

Disruptive Technology | July 6, 2026

Ethical Considerations Toward Harmonizing Human and Machine Agency in Em...

Several nations are evidencing increased interest in and consideration of employing various types of neurotechnologies to optimize cognitive and motor performance and perhaps modulate emotion and behavior. In this essay, published in the