Suggested Readings
Empty Bins in a Wartime Environment: The Challenge to the U.S. Defense Industrial Base
The U.S. defense industrial base is not prepared for the international security environment that now exists, including to deal with China. The United States should take several steps now to strengthen the industrial base to improve deterrence and warfighting.
Report by Seth Jones — January 23, 2023
Don’t Blame ‘Just-in-Time’ Production for Challenges in the U.S. Manufacturing Industrial Base
Concerns about a restricted U.S. defense industrial surge capability is often blamed on “just-in-time” production, an efficient and cost-effective subprocess of lean manufacturing. This article argues the model is not to blame for production capacity challenges.
Critical Questions by Cynthia Cook and Audrey Aldisert — July 19, 2023
Reviving the Arsenal of Democracy: Steps for Surging Defense Industrial Capacity
As the defense industrial base faces the need to surge to refill inventories of weapons sent to Ukraine, CSIS's Cynthia R. Cook analyzes the challenges to boosting production above current levels.
Report by Cynthia Cook — March 14, 2023
Constricting the Means of Production: Ally-Centric Cooperative Economic Deterrence
As China becomes increasingly confrontational on the world stage, the United States needs new economic tools to deter China. CSIS experts analyze a deterrence strategy that relies on working with partners and allies to target key nodes in China’s supply chain.
Commentary by Alexander Holderness and Cynthia Cook — February 14, 2023
North America Is a Region, Too
New threats and the specter of non-nuclear strategic attack require a new approach to U.S. air and missile defense. This study discusses the need for homeland cruise missile defense, outlines principles informing defense design, and develops and costs an architecture.
Report by Tom Karako, Ian Williams, Wes Rumbaugh, Ken Harmon, & Matthew Strohmeyer — July 14, 2022
Patriot to Ukraine: What Does It Mean?
The United States' plans to send Patriot air and missile defenses to Ukraine demonstrates a strong political commitment to defend Ukraine and modestly improves Ukrainian air defense, but incurs costs on U.S. air defense capacity and readiness.
Critical Questions by Mark F. Cancian & Tom Karako — December 16, 2022
Additional Materials
Empty Bins in a Wartime Environment
Reviving the Arsenal of Democracy: Challenges for Surging Defense Industrial Capacity
Wargaming a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan: Implications for Industry
Allies & Partners: International Cooperation with the U.S. Defense Industrial Base