Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the power to declare war and fund the military, and the President is commander in chief. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires the …
War Powers and Congress: Authorizations for the Use of Military Force Read More
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was signed by the United States and Russia in April 2010 and entered into force in February 2011. It limited each side’s deployed strategic …
New START: Basic Facts Read More
Public support for military operations depends partly on expectations. If leaders promise fast, decisive results, long and uncertain campaigns can erode trust. Scholars of strategy emphasize setting realistic goals, explaining …
Managing Expectations in Long Wars Read More
In November 2010, the United Kingdom and France signed two treaties at Lancaster House in London. One covered defense and security cooperation, and the other cooperation on nuclear weapons stewardship …
Franco-British Defense Cooperation: The 2010 Lancaster House Treaties Read More
In January 2012, the Department of Defense released Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense. It was issued in the context of the 2011 Budget Control Act, which …
The 2012 U.S. Defense Strategic Guidance: Key Points Read More
The term superpower came into wide use during the Cold War to describe the United States and the Soviet Union. It generally refers to a state with global reach in …
What Does It Mean to Be a Superpower? Read More
Arms control aims to reduce the risks of conflict by limiting certain weapons. This primer covers the main ideas.
Arms Control Basics: Treaties, Verification, and Limits Read More
Alliances can multiply a country’s strength, but they also raise questions about who contributes what. Here are the main ideas.
Alliances and Burden-Sharing: Key Concepts Read More
Deterrence is the idea of preventing an action by convincing an adversary that the costs outweigh the benefits. Here is how it works in theory and in practice.
Deterrence Explained: Why It Works (and When It Doesn’t) Read More
Civilian control means elected leaders, not generals, make the final decisions on war and peace. Here are the main mechanisms.
Civilian Control of the Military: How It Works in the United States Read More