Alex Kisling

Read the new analysis from @CSISDefense here: csis.org/analysis/rebui…

NEW: At the Dalian Shipyard in northern China, construction is underway on China’s fourth aircraft carrier, the Type 004. 🧵@HiddenReachCSIS leverages commercial satellite imagery and other open-source information to report on the carrier’s development: features.csis.org/hiddenreach/ch…

NEW DATA: The U.S. would face serious challenges in a protracted war with China due to a lack of long-range munitions, air defense systems, & unmanned systems, along with vulnerable bases & critical infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific, finds @CSISDefense. csis.org/analysis/unite…

🧵NEW DATA: Vessel tracking and maritime trade data from @HiddenReachCSIS offer key insights into the ongoing U.S.-Iran dispute over the Strait of Hormuz. Learn more about the strait through eight new charts and visualizations: csis.org/analysis/strai…

During the war with Iran, the US military has expended (per CSIS estimates ): At least 45% of its stockpile of Precision Strike Missiles At least half of its inventory of THAAD missiles Nearly 50% of its stockpile of Patriot air defense interceptor missiles. Numbers align closely w/ classified Pentagon data, sources tell me & @NatashaBertrand. cnn.com/2026/04/21/pol…

NEW DATA | The U.S. has depleted its missile inventories but still has enough to continue fighting with Iran under any plausible scenario. The risk is with future wars—particularly against a peer competitor like China. Learn more from @CSISDefense: csis.org/analysis/last-…

Navy ships and submarines have fired more than 850 Tomahawk missiles in the first four weeks of Operation Epic Fury. Replenishing inventory after this campaign will take time, and creates near-term risk for the United States. More from @CSISDefense: csis.org/analysis/850-t…

🧵NEW DATA: As the war with Iran enters its fourth week, @CSISDefense experts examine the U.S. and Iranian air campaigns through new charts to assess the war so far and determine what Iran's intentions may be going forward. Dig into the data: csis.org/analysis/asses…

In the most recent episode of Last Line of Defense, @SethGJones was joined by @margbrennan to break down Iran’s nuclear program and offer an overview of the domestic and international politics shaping the future of this Middle East conflict. Listen: csis.org/podcasts/last-…

Today, CSIS announces retired Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, the 19th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has been named our next CEO, succeeding John Hamre, who announced last year that he will retire after 26 years of transformational leadership. Read more: bit.ly/4b383Ha

As war chokes off Strait of Hormuz traffic, Chinese ships are not getting special treatment. New tracking data shows Chinese vessels have largely halted transits, underscoring Beijing’s exposure to instability in a region critical to its energy security. csis.org/analysis/no-on…

"The first 100 hours (H+100) of the operation are estimated to cost $3.7 billion, or $891.4 million each day. Some of these costs are already budgeted, but most ($3.5 billion) are not," write @CSISDefense experts on Operation Epic Fury. Read more: csis.org/analysis/37-bi…

Operation Epic Fury costs nearly $900 million per day, driven by the large expenditure of munitions. Because most of this is not in the budget, the Pentagon will soon need to ask for more money. Learn more from @CSISDefense: csis.org/analysis/37-bi…

As we begin to see Iran's response to Operation Epic Fury, just how far can the state project power with its current missile arsenal? To answer that question, the CSIS Missile Defense Project mapped Iran's arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles and their ranges.

TOMORROW | @CSISMidEast, @CSISDefense, and @CSISEnergy discuss what comes next after the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran. Register: csis.org/events/us-and-…

After U.S.-Israeli strikes, how will regional actors respond and what reactions might emerge from Iran’s proxies amid rising Middle East tensions? @CSISMidEast expert @myacoubian discusses: csis.org/analysis/regio…

WATCH: @CSIS_Threats Director @dbyman breaks down the objectives of the U.S. and Israeli military operation in Iran and factors that might influence the conflict going forward.

Great analysis by my colleagues @NonproJoe and @baileyschiff about targeting the remanants of Iran’s nuclear program in Operation Epic Fury @csisponi csis.org/analysis/opera…

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has waged an internal political war within his own military, conducting unprecedented purges of the PLA. A new database constructed by @ChinaPowerCSIS sheds light on the scope and impact of the purges. 🧵Learn more here: chinapower.csis.org/china-pla-mili…

[NEW ANALYSIS] What do Xi Jinping’s unprecedented military purges reveal about the future of the PLA? Our new @CSIS @ChinaPowerCSIS feature breaks down the key developments and potential implications for China’s military leadership: buff.ly/UYNNQ3A