Institute for the Study of War (2024)

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.

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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, Global Brokerage, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.

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, formerChief 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.

Our History

Dr. Kimberly Kagan founded ISW in May 2007, as U.S. forces undertook a daring new counterinsurgency strategy to reverse the grim security situation on the ground in Iraq . Frustrated with the prevailing lack of accurate information documenting developments on the ground in Iraq and the detrimental effect of biased reporting on policymakers, Dr. Kagan established ISW to provide real-time, independent, and open-source analysis of ongoing military operations and insurgent attacks in Iraq. General Jack Keane (U.S. Army, Ret.), the Chairman of ISW’s board, also played a central role in developing the intellectual foundation for this change of strategy in Iraq, and supported the formation of the Institute in 2007.

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