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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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Oct. 29, 2020

Interview: Force Structure Perspectives: Col. T.X. Hammes (Ret) on Experimenting for Adaptation

As a part of CIMSEC’s Force Structure Perspectives Series, CIMSEC discussed the Battle Force 2045 fleet design with Col. T.X. Hammes (ret)., a Distinguished Research Fellow at the U.S.

Oct. 28, 2020

Book Review: Shields of the Republic

Brett Swaney reviews Shields of the Republic: The Triumph and Peril of America's Alliances by Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper at the Strategy Bridge.

Oct. 26, 2020

Podcast: Double Crisis Double Feature

Colleen Wood and Jeff Mankoff break down the Kyrgyzstan and Nagorno Karabakh crises.

Oct. 1, 2020

Why Armenia and Azerbaijan Are on the Brink of War

Dr. Jeffrey Mankoff provides insights into the recent clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the dynamics that entangle the region.

Oct. 1, 2020

How Will Russia Respond to the U.S.-China Cold War?

Dr. Jeffrey Mankoff examines the dynamics of the Russia-China entente and what this means for the competition between the United States and China.

Sept. 4, 2020

Book Review: Terror and Technology from Dynamite to Drones

T.X. Hammes reviews Power to the People: How Open Technological Innovation is Arming Tomorrow's Terrorists by Audrey Kurth Cronin at War on the Rocks.

Aug. 25, 2020

Tactical Partnerships for Strategic Effects: Recent Experiences of U.S. Forces Working By, With, and Through Surrogates in Syria and Libya

Drawing on interviews with senior policymakers, diplomats, and military officials with knowledge of Operations Inherent Resolve in Syria and Odyssey Lightning in Libya, this paper confronts commonly-held perspectives on the “by, with, through” approach to warfare. It argues that will-to-fight and skillset play important roles in US military partnerships with irregular forces.

Aug. 13, 2020

The Maduro Regime's Illicit Activities: A Threat to Democracy in Venezuela and Security in Latin America

Nicolás Maduro’s global web of illicit activities provides a lifeline of support to his regime and

Aug. 10, 2020

Distilling the Essence of Strategy

This succinct set of considerations provide the fundamentals distilled from a detailed review of Professor Colin Gray’s studies. There is nothing guaranteed in the realm of human affairs, but strategists who recognize these considerations will increase the likelihood that their strategy will be “good enough.” There is heroic difficulty in resolving the competing tensions inherent to crafting and implementing strategy, and only a few heroes that have taught this craft with Colin’s intense style. He will be remembered for keeping the strategic flame alive and passing it along to future generations of strategists.

July 31, 2020

Of Russian Influence in Germany - Russian Roulette Podcast Episode 104

In this episode of Russian Roulette, Heather Conley sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Mankoff and Tabea


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