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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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Category: Disruptive Technology

A map that shows the share of the port project that is owned by the Chinese government or Chinese companies and distinguishes whether the port project is located at a port that includes berths with enough depth for a naval vessel. Data is from August 2024.

May 7, 2025

China's Overseas Bases & the Transition to War, with T.X. Hammes on Midrats podcast

The People’s Republic of China continues to expand its already well-established contestation of ownership, access, and control of ports throughout the world.

Side profile of Chinese President Xi Jinping

May 6, 2025

Xi Can’t Trust His Own Military

An unending purge in China's top military ranks raises serious questions over the country's readiness for offensive war.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Katleen Ybarra, and 1st Lt. Logan Pethtel, 91st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilots fly during a combat aerial refueling mission within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 30, 2022.

May 5, 2025

China's Cockpit Advances Pose Challenges for U.S. Combat Pilots

China’s latest AI-enabled fighter jet systems are redefining the rules of air combat. With real-time predictive targeting and near-perfect accuracy, these advancements challenge even the most skilled U.S. pilots.

A handout photo from the Iranian press office shows Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at a Nowruz event in Tehran on March 21.

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.

CSCL Arctic Ocean from afar

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.

Cover art for the ChinaPower podcast by CSIS. A C and P are superimposed over one another with a pair of headphones around both letters. The words "ChinaPower"are written below and "CSIS" is displayed on the top right, on a red background.

March 17, 2025

China’s Quest for Military Supremacy: A Conversation with Dr. Joel Wuthnow and Dr. Phil Saunders

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Joel Wuthnow and Dr. Phil Saunders discuss their new book, “China’s Quest for Military Supremacy.”

On 25 Feb, INSS China Center Director Dr. Phillip Saunders and Senior Research Fellow Dr. Joel Wuthnow (INSS) spoke about their new book China’s Quest for Military Supremacy on the podcast, Mapping Global China Initiative, hosted by Maria Carrai at NYU Shanghai.

March 10, 2025

China's Quest for Military Supremacy: A Conversation

On 25 Feb, INSS China Center Director Dr. Phillip Saunders and Senior Research Fellow Dr. Joel Wuthnow (INSS) spoke about their new book China’s Quest for Military Supremacy on the podcast, Mapping Global China Initiative, hosted by Maria Carrai at NYU Shanghai.

A drone, lightning bolt, an image of skull and cross bones, a radioactive warning circle sign, and a biohazard sign are all juxtaposed among one another.

Feb. 19, 2025

Drones and Biotechnological Weaponry: Emerging Risks, Strategic Threats, and Viable Readiness

The United States National Drone Association (USNDA) recently announced its sponsorship of the inaugural, international U.S. Military Drone Crucible Drone Championship to provide a venue for exercising U.S. and allied military drone training, advanced piloting, operational utility, and counter-measures’ capability.

Cover of ATHENA journal. A small statue of a Greek philosopher sits atop a map of the world. Next to the statue are Navy ship figurines along with chess pieces.

Feb. 5, 2025

Rising Dominance of the Tactical Defense

T.X. Hammes published his article “Rising Dominance of the Tactical Defense” in the 57th issue of HNDC’s Review ATHENA.

A concept showing a container ship as it might look after conversion to a warship with containerized missiles and drones weapons, including the missile launcher shown amidship.

Feb. 3, 2025

Warship Weapons for Merchant Ship Platforms

T.X. Hammes co-authors this article about how turning merchant ships into warships with missiles and drones would expand the combat fleet quickly.

Homeland Defense | March 10, 2026

From Theory to Policy: The Four Waves and U.S. Counterterrorism

This article examines United States (U.S.) counterterrorism policy through the lens of David C. Rapoport’s four waves theory.
INSS Around the Web | March 4, 2026

Neuromodulating Mammals for Military Operations: Ethical Responsibility ...

Research into consideration and possible utility of employing marine mammals in military support operations is nothing new. During the Cold War, the United States (U.S.) and Soviet Union employed dolphins and sea lions for detection, retrieval, and
China | March 2, 2026

Why Is Xi Still Purging His Generals?

The removal of PLA senior generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli in January 2026 represented the peak, if not the end, of a massive purge of the military leadership that began in mid-2023.
China | Feb. 25, 2026

Assessing Xi’s Unprecedented Purges of China’s Military: Key Development...

On January 24, 2026, China’s Ministry of National Defense announced that the military’s top general, Zhang Youxia, and the chief of the Joint Staff Department, Liu Zhenli, had been placed under investigation for serious disciplinary and legal
China | Feb. 25, 2026

The Danger in the Middle: Will Xi’s Purges Increase the Risk of War?

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has purged dozens of senior People’s Liberation Army officers since mid-2023, including two in January, but will this increase the risk of war?
INSS Around the Web | Feb. 24, 2026

Laser-focusing Defense Capabilities

Contemporary warfighting is undergoing rapid and profound transformation. As noted in prior analyses of disruptive technologies and future warfare, the convergence of precision guidance, hypersonic kinematics, distributed sensors, and iteratively
Disruptive Technology | Feb. 23, 2026

How AI Can Help Enforce the Biological Weapons Convention

President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to the United Nations General Assembly regarding the use of artificial intelligence systems to support oversight and enforcement of the Biological Weapons Convention represents a significant milestone in
China | Feb. 19, 2026

To Prevent a Great Power War: Conflict Prevention Efforts and Possibilit...

War between rivalrous great powers (GPW) often is not a deliberate choice.
INSS Around the Web | Feb. 17, 2026

The Recent Rash of Biotechnology Risks: A Call to Fortify Force Capability

The tools of modern biology such as state-of-the-art gene editing, modular DNA assembly, cell-free systems, benchtop automation, and AI-enabled formulation have distributed bioweapon capability beyond the skillcraft of traditional state laboratories.
Allies and Partners | Feb. 11, 2026

Beyond the Peninsula: What OPCON Transfer Means for the Indo-Pacific

On the surface, wartime OPCON transition can appear a niche topic, marked by a change in the leadership of the South Korea-U.S. alliance’s combined military command structure.