Explore Policy

Top Issues

Political Thought

International

Domestic Policy

National Security

Government Spending

Energy and Climate

Legal and Judicial

Culture

Economy

open search Donate

Defense

Issue

Defense

Our armed forces must be ready to act anywhere in the world where vital national interests are threatened. This can be achieved by ensuring the military has the resources and skilled personnel it needs to keep us safe and maintain freedom. 

 

Index of U.S. Military Strength

BACKGROUNDER

Cold War Lessons for Estimating the Chinese Defense Budget

Jan 12, 2024 22 min read

Author

Wilson Beaver

Read the report

REPORT

Prioritizing Procurement over Research and Development

Jan 10, 2024 17 min read

Read the report

Refine by Keyword

Refine by Content Type

Commentary

Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative Has Reached a New Milestone Michaela Dodge, Ph.D.

Mar 29, 2019 2 min read

Commentary

More Than One Million Americans are in North Korea’s Nuclear Crosshairs Steven P. Bucci, PhD

Mar 22, 2017 3 min read

report

President Obama’s Missile Defense Policy: A Misguided Legacy Michaela Dodge, Ph.D.

Sep 15, 2016 19 min read

report

Poland: The Lynchpin of Security on NATO’s Front Lines Daniel Kochis

Aug 17, 2015 5 min read

Commentary

Missile Defense: the Lost Years Rebeccah L. Heinrichs

Sep 18, 2012 3 min read

report

Open Microphone: What’s Behind President Obama’s Missile Defense Comments?

Jul 24, 2012 27 min read

report

Aegis Ballistic Missile Program: Expand Defense Against Long-Range Missiles Baker Spring

Sep 28, 2011 3 min read

report

Medium Extended Air Defense System: Continued Funding Needed

Feb 22, 2011 3 min read

Experts on Defense

See all experts
James Carafano Headshot
James Jay Carafano
Senior Counselor to the President and E.W. Richardson Fellow
Brent Sadler Headshot
Brent Sadler
Senior Research Fellow, Allison Center for National Security
Max Primorac Headshot
Max Primorac
Senior Research Fellow, Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom
Wilson Beaver
Wilson Beaver
Senior Policy Advisor, Allison Center for National Security
Robert Greenway
Robert Greenway
Director, Allison Center for National Security
Steve Yates Headshot
The Honorable Steve Yates
Senior Research Fellow and Chung Ju Yung Fellow

Related Issues

Issue

Border Security

Issue

Cybersecurity

Related Videos

Related Videos

Privacy Policy Text Messaging Terms

Copyright © 2026, The Heritage Foundation