Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments
Encyclopedia
The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) is an independent, non-profit, Washington, D.C.-based think tank
specializing in US defense policy, force planning, and budgets. It is headed by Andrew Krepinevich
, a West Point graduate. According to its website, CSBA’s mission is “to promote innovative thinking and debate about national security strategy and investment options… [and] to enable policymakers to make informed decisions in matters of strategy, security policy and resource allocation.”
in order to “fill a vital information gap in the policy debate” during the Reagan Administration’s defense buildup.” In May 1995, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments was incorporated in its current form under the leadership of Andrew F. Krepinevich, Jr
. Over the next decade, CSBA played a prominent role in the debate over the revolution in military affairs (RMA)
and the transformation of the US military.
Since September 11, 2001, CSBA has focused its analysis on linking near-term requirements to longer term challenges. According to the group’s website, CSBA “looks out two to three decades to identify emerging security challenges and opportunities.” CSBA describes its current efforts as “drawing attention to a set of worrisome and profound emerging areas of concern: a rising China threat
in the Pacific Theater; a nuclear-armed Iran
; maintaining the US defense industrial base
; and realigning the defense budget.”
CSBA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. The group’s public education and research program is funded by grants and contributions from a range of foundations and corporations. The majority of CSBA's income comes from research support under contract with the Department of Defense
, military Services and Joint Forces Command
.
En 2007, the CSBA's director, Andrew Krepinevich
, admitted that it had hired Alexis Debat
as a consultant; the man, who worked at Nixon Center
and for ABC News
, had been revealed by French newspaper Rue 89
as a fraud, leading to his dismissal from all responsibilities .
Analysis of the FY 2011 Defense Budget, by Todd Harrison
AirSea Battle: A Point-of-Departure Operational Concept, by Jan van Tol with Mark Gunzinger, Andrew Krepinevich, and Jim Thomas
National Security Strategy in an Era of Growing Challenges and Resource Constraints, by Andrew Krepinevich
The New Guns Versus Butter Debate, by Todd Harrison
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
specializing in US defense policy, force planning, and budgets. It is headed by Andrew Krepinevich
Andrew Krepinevich
Andrew F. Krepinevich, Jr. is a defense policy analyst, currently executive director of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. His influential book, The Army and Vietnam, contends that the United States could have won the Vietnam War had the Army adopted a small-unit pacification...
, a West Point graduate. According to its website, CSBA’s mission is “to promote innovative thinking and debate about national security strategy and investment options… [and] to enable policymakers to make informed decisions in matters of strategy, security policy and resource allocation.”
Background
CSBA traces its origins to the Defense Budget Project, which was established by Gordon Adams in 1983 at the Center on Budget and Policy PrioritiesCenter on Budget and Policy Priorities
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a non-profit think tank that describes itself as a "policy organization ... working at the federal and state levels on fiscal policy and public programs that affect low- and moderate-income families and individuals."The Center examines the short- and...
in order to “fill a vital information gap in the policy debate” during the Reagan Administration’s defense buildup.” In May 1995, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments was incorporated in its current form under the leadership of Andrew F. Krepinevich, Jr
Andrew Krepinevich
Andrew F. Krepinevich, Jr. is a defense policy analyst, currently executive director of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. His influential book, The Army and Vietnam, contends that the United States could have won the Vietnam War had the Army adopted a small-unit pacification...
. Over the next decade, CSBA played a prominent role in the debate over the revolution in military affairs (RMA)
Revolution in Military Affairs
The military concept of Revolution in Military Affairs is a theory about the future of warfare, often connected to technological and organizational recommendations for change in the United States military and others....
and the transformation of the US military.
Since September 11, 2001, CSBA has focused its analysis on linking near-term requirements to longer term challenges. According to the group’s website, CSBA “looks out two to three decades to identify emerging security challenges and opportunities.” CSBA describes its current efforts as “drawing attention to a set of worrisome and profound emerging areas of concern: a rising China threat
Military budget of the People's Republic of China
The military budget of the People's Republic of China is the portion of the overall budget of China that is allocated for the funding of the military of the People's Republic of China...
in the Pacific Theater; a nuclear-armed Iran
Nuclear program of Iran
The nuclear program of Iran was launched in the 1950s with the help of the United States as part of the Atoms for Peace program. The support, encouragement and participation of the United States and Western European governments in Iran's nuclear program continued until the 1979 Iranian Revolution...
; maintaining the US defense industrial base
Defense industry
The defense industry, also called the military industry, comprises government and commercial industry involved in research, development, production, and service of military materiel, equipment and facilities...
; and realigning the defense budget.”
CSBA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. The group’s public education and research program is funded by grants and contributions from a range of foundations and corporations. The majority of CSBA's income comes from research support under contract with the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
, military Services and Joint Forces Command
United States Joint Forces Command
United States Joint Forces Command was a former Unified Combatant Command of the United States Armed Forces. USJFCOM was a functional command that provided specific services to the military. The last commander was Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno...
.
En 2007, the CSBA's director, Andrew Krepinevich
Andrew Krepinevich
Andrew F. Krepinevich, Jr. is a defense policy analyst, currently executive director of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. His influential book, The Army and Vietnam, contends that the United States could have won the Vietnam War had the Army adopted a small-unit pacification...
, admitted that it had hired Alexis Debat
Alexis Debat
Alexis Debat is a French commentator on terrorism and national security issues, based in Washington D.C., USA. He worked as a reporter, consultant, and source for ABC News for six years, as a senior fellow at the Nixon Center, and was a contributing editor to The National Interest...
as a consultant; the man, who worked at Nixon Center
Nixon Center
The Nixon Center was a Washington, D.C.-based public policy think tank. On March 9, 2011 it was renamed The Center for the National Interest....
and for ABC News
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
, had been revealed by French newspaper Rue 89
Rue 89
Rue89 is a French news website. It was officially launched on 6 May 2007, on the day of the second round of the French presidential election. Its news editor is Pascal Riché, former Op-ed editor of Libération, and its chief editor...
as a fraud, leading to his dismissal from all responsibilities .
Recent Publications
Sustaining America's Strategic Advantage in Long-Range Strike, by Mark GunzingerAnalysis of the FY 2011 Defense Budget, by Todd Harrison
AirSea Battle: A Point-of-Departure Operational Concept, by Jan van Tol with Mark Gunzinger, Andrew Krepinevich, and Jim Thomas
National Security Strategy in an Era of Growing Challenges and Resource Constraints, by Andrew Krepinevich
The New Guns Versus Butter Debate, by Todd Harrison
Staff
Key personnel currently or formerly employed by CSBA include the following:- Andrew F. Krepinevich, Jr.Andrew KrepinevichAndrew F. Krepinevich, Jr. is a defense policy analyst, currently executive director of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. His influential book, The Army and Vietnam, contends that the United States could have won the Vietnam War had the Army adopted a small-unit pacification...
, (LTC, USA, ret.) President, (1993 to present) - Jim Thomas, Vice President for Studies, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Resources and Plans and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy (2009 – present)
- Steven M. Kosiak, former Vice President for Budget Studies, now Associate Director for Defense and International Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget (1991-2009)
- Michael G. VickersMichael G. VickersMichael G. Vickers was confirmed as the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence by the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on March 16, 2011. Before becoming USD-I, Vickers served as United States Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict...
, former Vice President for Strategic Studies, now Assistant Secretary of Defense, Special Operations / Low-Intensity Conflict & Interdependent Capabilities (SO/LIC&IC) - Robert C. Martinage, former Vice President for Strategic Studies, now Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Special Operations / Low-Intensity Conflict & Interdependent Capabilities (SO/LIC&IC) (1996-2009)
- Robert O. WorkRobert O. WorkRobert Orton Work is the current United States Under Secretary of the Navy.-Biography:Work attended the University of Illinois and earned a B.S. in Biology. Work would later earn an M.S. in Systems Management from the University of Southern California; an M.S...
(Col, USMC, ret.), former Vice President for Strategic Studies, now Under Secretary of the Navy (1998-2009) - Eric S. EdelmanEric S. EdelmanEric Steven Edelman is a former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey , former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Finland , and former Principal Deputy Assistant to the Vice President for National Security Affairs . A career Foreign Service Officer, Edelman...
, Distinguished Fellow, former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy (2005-2009), Ambassador to Turkey (2003-2005), Ambassador to Finland (1998-2001) - Barry Watts (Col, USAF, ret.), Senior Fellow, former director, Program Analysis and Evaluation (PA&E)
- Mark Gunzinger (Col, USAF, ret.), Senior Fellow, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Transformation and Resources
- Jan van Tol (CAPT, USN, ret.), Senior Fellow
- Dakota Wood (LtCol, USMC, ret.) Senior Fellow
- Todd Harrison, Senior Fellow
Board of directors
- Dave McCurdyDave McCurdyDavid Keith McCurdy is a U.S. lawyer, politician, conservative Democrat, and a former Oklahoma Congressman from Oklahoma's 4th congressional district. He is president of the American Gas Association.-Early life and education:...
, Chair - Dan CoatsDan CoatsDaniel Ray "Dan" Coats is the junior United States Senator from Indiana and member of the Republican Party. He was in the United States Senate from from 1989 to 1999, retired, and then returned in 2011....
- Devon Gaffney Cross
- Pete du Pont
- Vic H. Fazio
- Nelson M. FordNelson M. FordNelson McCain Ford was United States Under Secretary of the Army from 2007 to 2009.-Biography:Nelson M. Ford was educated at Duke University Nelson McCain Ford (born June 3, 1947 in Wilmington, Delaware) was United States Under Secretary of the Army from 2007 to 2009.-Biography:Nelson M. Ford was...
- Gen. Jack KeaneJack KeaneJohn Keane is a retired four-star general and former Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army, and a defense analyst currently serving as Chairman of the Board for .-Biography:...
(USA, ret.) - Elihu Rose
- James J. Shinn
- R. James Woolsey, Jr.R. James Woolsey, Jr.Robert James Woolsey Jr. is a foreign policy specialist and former Director of Central Intelligence and head of the Central Intelligence Agency .-Early life:...
- Laurence Zuriff