Center for Strategic and International Studies facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Center for Strategic and International Studies

Center for Strategic and International Studies' headquarters in Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C.
Abbreviation	CSIS
Formation	1962; 63 years ago (1962)
Type	Foreign policy think tank
Legal status	501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Headquarters	1616 Rhode Island Avenue NW
Location	Washington, D.C., U.S.
President	John J. Hamre
Chairman, Board of Trustees	Thomas J. Pritzker
Affiliations	Georgetown University (1962–1987)
Revenue (2014)	$43,431,720
Expenses (2014)	$38,935,803
Endowment	$12,522,632
Employees (2014)	354
Volunteers (2014)	274

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a special kind of organization called a think tank. It's based in Washington, D.C., in the United States. A think tank is like a research center where experts study big global issues and suggest ideas to leaders.

CSIS was started in 1962 and was connected to Georgetown University until 1987. Its main job is to study and analyze important topics like politics, money, and safety around the world. They focus on how countries interact, global trade, new technologies, energy, and how geography affects world power.

In 2019, a report from the University of Pennsylvania said CSIS was the best think tank in the U.S. for all topics. It was also named the "Top Defense and National Security Think Tank" in the world and the fourth-best overall.

CSIS aims to help the United States stay a strong and positive force in the world. It's known for being a place where people from different political views can share their ideas. Many important officials from the U.S. government and other countries speak at CSIS events.

The center hosts events like the Statesmen's Forum, where world leaders share their thoughts. Famous speakers have included United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. CSIS also has discussions with journalists and hosts the Global Security Forum, which features top defense officials.

History of CSIS: How It Started and Grew

The Early Years: 1960s

CSIS was founded in 1962 by Arleigh Burke and David Manker Abshire. It opened its doors just before the Cuban Missile Crisis, a very tense time in history. Its first office was a small building near Georgetown University.

In 1963, CSIS held a big meeting that helped shape its future work. They created a large book called National Security: Political, Military and Economic Strategies in the Decade Ahead. This book helped define how people in Washington, D.C., thought about national security during the Cold War. Many people who worked at CSIS during this time later became important U.S. policymakers.

Growth and Influence: 1970s

By the late 1970s, many CSIS scholars moved into senior government jobs. When Henry Kissinger, a former U.S. Secretary of State, joined CSIS in 1977, it brought a lot of attention to the center.

After Kissinger, other high-level government officials also joined CSIS. For example, Zbigniew Brzezinski worked on issues related to the Soviet Union and Poland's economy in the 1980s. CSIS became a place where former policymakers could continue to write, lecture, and share their knowledge.

Becoming Independent: 1980s

In 1986, some professors at Georgetown University felt that CSIS was focusing more on media appearances than on deep research. This led to a decision to separate CSIS from the university.

So, on July 1, 1987, CSIS officially became an independent nonprofit organization. This allowed it to raise its own money and expand its programs.

New Global Focus: 1990s

After the end of the Cold War, the world changed a lot. The United States became the world's main superpower. CSIS was in a good position to help shape the nation's foreign policy for this new era.

CSIS also started looking at economic issues more closely. They realized that America's strength at home was important for its role abroad. This led to projects focused on improving economic policy. CSIS began to research topics like international economics, trade agreements (like NAFTA), and global organizations (like the World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund). They also started looking at global health and climate change. These new areas joined CSIS's traditional focus on international security.

U.S. Senator John McCain at CSIS in October 2012

Vietnamese president Trương Tấn Sang (left) at CSIS in July 2013

CSIS in the 21st Century

In 2013, CSIS moved to a new, modern building in Washington, D.C.. This building cost $100 million and has special studios for media interviews and large spaces for events and discussions.

CSIS aims to have a real impact on government policy. Its leaders have stated that their goal is to find solutions to difficult problems facing the country. They bring together different groups of people, discuss ideas, and highlight areas where people agree or disagree.

How CSIS Gets Its Money

CSIS is a nonprofit organization, which means it doesn't make money for owners. It gets its funding from several sources. In 2013, about 32% of its money came from companies, 29% from foundations, and 19% from governments. Individuals and its own savings (endowment) also contribute.

Some of the governments that have given money to CSIS include the United States, Japan, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates. Major defense companies like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin also provide significant funding.

What CSIS Does: Programs and Events

The headquarters of CSIS on DuPont Circle in Washington, D.C.

CSIS has many different programs and projects, each focusing on specific topics. For example, the Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group studies the defense industry. The Global Health Policy Center looks at how the U.S. deals with diseases like HIV and malaria, especially how these issues relate to national security.

CSIS is often a place where important figures make big announcements about world affairs. For instance, in 2019, former National Security Advisor John Bolton gave a speech at CSIS where he talked about U.S. policy towards North Korea. In 2012, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke at CSIS about security in North Africa.

CSIS also helps students and professionals learn more about international relations. They host many seminars and programs throughout the year. They even offer a master's degree program in partnership with Syracuse University.

Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI)

One important program at CSIS is the Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI). It was created in 2003 to encourage public discussion about the future of nuclear technology.

PONI has two main goals:

• To connect young experts in nuclear topics from the military, research labs, industry, and universities.
• To create new ideas and discussions about nuclear issues among its members and the public.

PONI believes it's important to keep a strong group of nuclear experts in the U.S. to support the country's nuclear defense. This program was started because many experienced nuclear scientists were retiring, and there was a concern about who would lead in this field in the future.

Who Works at CSIS: Notable Scholars

CSIS has many smart people working there, called scholars. They are experts in different parts of the world and various global issues.

Current Scholars

Past Scholars

Leadership and Staff at CSIS

John Hamre, CSIS president, and former CSIS trustee Zbigniew Brzezinski, in October 2013

The chairman of the board of trustees at CSIS is Thomas Pritzker. The president and chief executive officer is John J. Hamre, who used to be a high-ranking official in the U.S. Department of Defense.

The board of trustees includes many former senior government officials, like Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew Brzezinski. It also has important business leaders and experts from finance, energy, and media.

CSIS has about 220 full-time staff members and many other experts who work with them. They all work to create new ideas and plans to solve current problems in international relations. In 2012, CSIS had 63 program staff, 73 scholars, and 80 interns. They also worked with hundreds of other advisors and fellows.

CSIS has become very important in analyzing public policy. For example, the U.S. Department of Defense asked CSIS to study U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific Region. Also, in 2009, President Barack Obama thanked CSIS for its help in developing policies on cyber warfare. Government officials often use CSIS's research to help them make decisions. The CIA Director John Brennan has said that CSIS has "some of the most insightful analysis and innovative ideas for strengthening our national security."

Board of Trustees

Source:

See also

In Spanish: Center for Strategic and International Studies para niños