Our Mission

The Institute for the Study of War advances an informed understanding of military affairs through reliable research, trusted analysis, and innovative education. We are committed to improving the nation’s ability to execute military operations and respond to emerging threats in order to achieve U.S. strategic objectives. ISW is a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy research organization.

We believe ground realities must drive the formulation of strategy and policy. In pursuit of this principle, ISW conducts detailed, open-source intelligence analysis to provide the most accurate information on current conflicts and security threats. ISW researchers spend time in conflict zones conducting independent assessments and enhancing their understanding of realities on the ground. Through reports and timely events, our research educates military and civilian leaders, reporters, and the public to enhance the quality of policy debates.

Our Board Members

General Jack Keane (US Army, Retired), Chairman, Institute for the Study of War; President, GSI, LLC

Dr. Kimberly Kagan, Founder & President, Institute for the Study of War

The Honorable Kelly Craft, Former US Ambassador to UN and Canada

Dr. William Kristol, Director, Defending Democracy Together

Kevin Mandia, Chief Executive Officer & Board Director, Mandiant

Jack D. McCarthy, Jr., Senior Managing Director & Founder, A&M Capital

Bruce Mosler, Chairman of Military and Veteran Programs at Cushman & Wakefield

General David H. Petraeus (US Army, Retired), Partner, KKR and Chairman, KKR Global Institute

Dr. Warren Phillips, Lead Director, CACI International

Colonel William Roberti (US Army, Retired), Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal

Hudson La Force, former Chief Executive Officer of W. R. Grace & Co

Dr. Jennifer London, Consultant, CACI

ISW Statement on the Passing of ISW Board Member Joseph I. Lieberman - March 28, 2024

ISW is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Senator Joe Lieberman, a distinguished member of ISW’s board of directors since 2014, one of the first members of Congress to receive an ISW briefing in 2007, and above all, a dear friend. Senator Lieberman was a moral force in American politics whose four-decade career in public service was marked by his thoughtfulness, his principled leadership, and his extraordinary determination to protect America’s interests and values.  In 2012, ISW presented its second annual ISW Award for National Security Leadership to Senator Lieberman in recognition of his exceptional service, intellect, and leadership in national security.  The same strategic and moral clarity that defined Senator Lieberman’s career as a legislator informed the essential guidance he provided ISW in support of our mission in the decade since he joined our board. He will be extraordinarily missed.

Overview

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy research organization. ISW advances an informed understanding of military affairs through reliable research, trusted analysis, and innovative education.

We are committed to improving the nation’s ability to execute military operations and respond to emerging threats in order to achieve U.S. strategic objectives.

ISW was founded on the principle that a healthy democracy requires civilian leaders who are well versed in military affairs. The abandonment of military studies at America's colleges and universities since the Vietnam War poses a serious challenge to civilian control of the military and to the well-being of our nation. Therefore, ISW seeks to strengthen civilian leadership and the electorate by making the important study of military operations available to the public.

We also believe that the formulation of strategy and policy must be driven by the realities of current conflicts and threats.  In pursuit of this principle, ISW conducts detailed open source intelligence analysis to provide the most accurate information on current military operations.  Our research educates practitioners, policy makers, members of the media, and the public to enhance the quality of policy debates.  ISW conducts regular briefings with Members of Congress and the executive branch and hosts timely events for a wide-ranging and influential audience to facilitate the exchange of ideas.  Military and civilian leaders have come to rely on ISW as an unbiased and invaluable resource.

Research Policy

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is a 501(c)(3) organization and produces strictly non-partisan, non-ideological, fact- based research. ISW seeks to promote an informed understanding of war and military affairs through comprehensive, independent, and accessible open-source research and analysis. ISW does not advocate the adoption of legislation to implement its findings.

ISW’s research is made available to the general public, practitioners, policy makers, and members of the media by any suitable means, including oral or written presentations, provided that the communications are not limited to or directed toward those interested in only one side of a particular issue. ISW respects the benefits provided by the active participation of civilian leaders in the formation and development of military affairs policy, including congressional oversight, and believes that an enhanced understanding of military affairs among civilian leaders results in significantly better policy.

"Nonpartisan analysis and research" is defined as an independent exposition of a particular subject matter. The analysis may conclude that legislation is appropriate to achieve a particular objective if it contains a sufficiently full and fair exposition of the pertinent facts to enable the public or an individual to form an independent opinion or conclusion. ISW’s research agenda is determined by the ISW President in consultation with the Research Manager. The content of ISW’s publications are determined by the research staff through their in-depth, independent, and fact-based research.

ISW’s research methodology relies on both primary and secondary sources, enabling its researchers to develop the comprehensive understanding of the situation on the ground. In order to analyze military and political developments in any given area, researchers must wholly understand the systems of enemy and friendly forces. They must also understand the population demographics, physical terrain, politics, and history of that area. This lays the analytical foundation for understanding the reasons for particular developments and fulfilling their assigned research objectives. Using both primary and secondary sources, our researchers compile data and analyze trends, producing a granular analysis of developments in areas of research, producing an accurate, high-resolution, timely, and thorough picture of the situation. ISW’s research methodology guarantees its success and commitment to improve the nation’s ability to execute military operations, achieve strategic objectives, and respond to emerging problems that may require the use of American military power.