Mark Cancian

Stories by Mark Cancian

How to get the $106B supplemental moving: Avoid the all-or-nothing trap

How to get the $106B supplemental moving: Avoid the all-or-nothing trap
How to get the $106B supplemental moving: Avoid the all-or-nothing trap

In this op-ed, Mark Cancian breaks down the $106 billion of supplemental funding the Biden administration has requested to provide support to Israel and Ukraine in new ways – with hopes it can help break the Congressional logjam.

Most ‘aid to Ukraine’ is spent in the US. A total shutdown would be irresponsible.

Most ‘aid to Ukraine’ is spent in the US. A total shutdown would be irresponsible.
Most ‘aid to Ukraine’ is spent in the US. A total shutdown would be irresponsible.

A lot of money considered to be “aid to Ukraine” is actually spent in the US. In this op ed, Mark Cancian argues that eliminating that funding would be bad business for both Ukraine and American interests.

To cool the war over amphibs, the Navy and Marines need a clearer justification

To cool the war over amphibs, the Navy and Marines need a clearer justification
To cool the war over amphibs, the Navy and Marines need a clearer justification

Congress should not shoot the messenger, but help the Navy and Marine Corps explain why 31 amphibs is the right number, CSIS’s Mark Cancian argues in this op-ed.

A year into Ukraine, looking back at 5 prewar predictions

A year into Ukraine, looking back at 5 prewar predictions
A year into Ukraine, looking back at 5 prewar predictions

A year ago, Mark Cancian of CSIS laid out five things to watch for in a war between Ukraine and Russia. Now he assess where things ended up.

What is blowing up those Russian bases in Crimea?

What is blowing up those Russian bases in Crimea?
What is blowing up those Russian bases in Crimea?

Ukraine appears to have struck Russia in Crimea twice this month. But how they actually pulled it off is a mystery worth unraveling, writes Mark Cancian of CSIS.

Analyzing the biggest changes in the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 update

Analyzing the biggest changes in the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 update
Analyzing the biggest changes in the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 update

Last month’s update to the Marine Corps strategic guidance included many changes from the original document. Mark Cancian of CSIS goes in depth on what shifted, and why it matters.

Russia vs Ukraine could provide invaluable lessons on what truly works in modern warfare

Russia vs Ukraine could provide invaluable lessons on what truly works in modern warfare
Russia vs Ukraine could provide invaluable lessons on what truly works in modern warfare

Mark Cancian of CSIS lays out five major lessons that could be learned from a Russia-Ukraine conflict.

A year after Jan. 6, DoD’s vague extremism definition could set up new problems

A year after Jan. 6, DoD’s vague extremism definition could set up new problems
A year after Jan. 6, DoD’s vague extremism definition could set up new problems

“DoD is taking the attitude towards violent extremism that the Supreme Court took towards pornography; they will know it when they see it,” writes Mark Cancian. “That was not a useful legal test for pornography, and DoD will run into the same problem.”

What would it take to defend Ukraine? Potentially, billions of dollars.

What would it take to defend Ukraine? Potentially, billions of dollars.
What would it take to defend Ukraine? Potentially, billions of dollars.

Mark Cancian of CSIS takes a look at two strategies for US military deployment to deter Russia – and how realistic they may be.

Afghanistan Is Not Done With Us; Four Long-Term Dangers Await

Afghanistan Is Not Done With Us; Four Long-Term Dangers Await
Afghanistan Is Not Done With Us; Four Long-Term Dangers Await

  The message was clear, from the mouths of military officials, the State Department and President Joe Biden himself: Aug. 30 marked the official end of the US war in Afghanistan. But, as Mark Cancian writes below, just because the US has decided it is done with Afghanistan does not mean Afghanistan is done with…

In Afghanistan, Contractors Were Unsung Heroes Of US Efforts

In Afghanistan, Contractors Were Unsung Heroes Of US Efforts
In Afghanistan, Contractors Were Unsung Heroes Of US Efforts

As the US spends its final hours in Afghanistan, Mark Cancian of CSIS notes that more contractors have died (8,000) than US service members (7,000) in post 9/11 operations.

Stormy Waters Ahead For Amphibious Shipbuilding Plan

Stormy Waters Ahead For Amphibious Shipbuilding Plan
Stormy Waters Ahead For Amphibious Shipbuilding Plan

Buried within the Navy’s fiscal 2022 shipbuilding plan is a major disruption of the amphibious fleet and its industrial base. The Navy will build the Light Amphibious Ships (LAWs) it wants, but there’s a trade-off. The number of large amphibious ships will decline by five to nine — 15% to 27%. Marines and others had…

The Five Surprises In Pentagon’s 2022 Budget

The Five Surprises In Pentagon’s 2022 Budget
The Five Surprises In Pentagon’s 2022 Budget

Most observers had expected an increase in the Navy’s shipbuilding accounts with this budget, especially after the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, said that, even as an Army general, he would support budget increases for the Navy and Air Force in light of the Chinese threat. But this budget decommissions 12 ships and buys relatively few replacements.

What’s In A Name? Billions In Cuts Depend On Defining ‘Legacy’

What’s In A Name? Billions In Cuts Depend On Defining ‘Legacy’
What’s In A Name? Billions In Cuts Depend On Defining ‘Legacy’

As defense budgets face post-COVID cuts, everyone wants to axe “legacy” systems. But the services define “legacy” very differently from defense reformers.

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