Bipartisan and dedicated to defining the future of national security, for over 60 years the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has developed practical solutions to the world's greatest challenges. Since our founding, CSIS scholars have provided strategic insights and bipartisan policy solutions to help decision makers chart a course toward a better world. CSIS is a bipartisan, nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Center's 250 full-time staff and large network of affiliated scholars conduct research and analysis and develop policy initiatives that look to the future and anticipate change.
Escalating tactical incidents at the Korean Demilitarized Zone, including recent landmine placements, artillery movements, and the death of a South Korean soldier, signal a dangerous shift in inter-Korean relations. North Korea has abandoned long-standing unification goals in favor of a "two hostile states" doctrine, c...
The Trump administration’s recent diesel agreement with Russia aims to stabilize domestic fuel prices but faces bipartisan criticism for potentially undermining existing sanctions and bypassing established legal waiver procedures. Simultaneously, the European Union and China have reached a preliminary voluntary restrai...
The recent, deadly Houthi attack on Riyadh airport has forced Saudi Arabia into a precarious strategic dilemma, escalating tensions in a conflict that has shifted from a localized tribal insurgency to a broader regional threat. Ambassador Michael Ratney and Senior Fellow Allison Minor analyze how the Houthis’ increased...
China’s economic miracle has shattered, transitioning into a period of structural decay defined by deep-seated financial and fiscal constraints rather than an inevitable, sudden collapse. The current economic environment is characterized by a severe property sector slowdown, negative investment growth, and stagnant dom...
Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, faces significant strategic uncertainty as the regime remains resilient despite extensive military strikes. While U.S. forces have successfully targeted Iranian naval and missile infrastructure, the destruction of Iran’s nuclear program remai...
Permitting reform in Washington has coalesced into a maximalist bipartisan proposal, the American Affordability and Jobs Act, which seeks to modernize federal environmental review processes without altering underlying statutes. This legislative effort addresses critical new scarcities in connectivity and domestic manuf...
Russia’s foreign policy has shifted toward a war-driven, opportunistic strategy aimed at outlasting the West through global influence campaigns. While the Kremlin frames its actions as an anti-neo-colonial struggle to appeal to the Global South, this narrative serves as a negative mobilization tool rather than a cohere...
The Trump-Xi summit resulted in a trade truce extension until January 10th, though the meeting prioritized optics over substantive policy shifts. While the agreement temporarily cools trade tensions, it leaves significant uncertainty for businesses. Meanwhile, the G20 trade ministerial in Milwaukee highlights ongoing f...
The Hormuz energy crisis exposes critical vulnerabilities in Southeast Asia’s energy security, proving that even regional producers remain susceptible to global market shocks and maritime chokepoint disruptions. Addressing these risks requires moving beyond temporary buffers like national oil reserves toward structural...
The recent Trump-Xi summit centered on economic security, with both nations maintaining a fragile detente while avoiding major structural shifts. Key outcomes included a commitment to a future AI safety dialogue—rebranded by the U.S. as "superintelligence"—and an extension of the trade ceasefire until January. Despite ...
U.S.-China trade relations currently face significant contraction, with direct commercial goods trade declining as effective U.S. tariff rates on Chinese imports climb into the high 20s or low 30s. Ahead of the upcoming presidential summit, negotiations center on a potential "30 for 30" tariff reduction plan and the ex...
Rising diesel prices ahead of the midterm elections have triggered intense debate in Washington regarding potential export bans on distillate fuels. While proponents suggest that restricting exports could lower domestic costs for farmers and truckers, industry experts warn that such interventions risk creating refinery...
The recent U.S.-China summit represents a fragile ceasefire rather than a substantive détente, signaling a shift from overt confrontation toward a tenuous stability. Despite the ceremonial warmth, both nations maintained low expectations, resulting in limited concrete deliverables beyond a two-month extension of the ec...
China-North Korea relations are undergoing a significant reset, driven by Beijing’s desire to hedge against unpredictable U.S. policy, counter regional alliances, and manage an increasingly volatile Pyongyang. North Korea currently occupies the "driver's seat," effectively leveraging its deepening military and economic...
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