Institute for the Study of War

Institute for the Study of War is an American non-profit research organization and think tank based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 2007 by military historian Kimberly Kagan, it conducts detailed, open-source analysis of ongoing conflicts and global security challenges. The organization is particularly noted for its real-time, map-based assessments of military campaigns, most prominently during the war in Afghanistan, the Iraq War, and the Russo-Ukrainian War. Its work aims to provide policymakers, journalists, and the public with factual, non-partisan analysis of ground operations and strategic dynamics.

History and founding

The organization was established in 2007 by Kimberly Kagan, a historian who had previously taught at West Point and Yale University. Its creation followed Kagan's direct experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, where she served as part of a civilian review team for General David Petraeus during the Iraq War troop surge of 2007. This operational background shaped its founding mission to bridge the gap between academic military history and real-time conflict analysis. Early support came from various foundations and individuals, and the organization quickly gained attention for its detailed assessments of the counterinsurgency campaigns in the Middle East. Its early work focused extensively on the Taliban insurgency and the evolving security situation in Baghdad and Kabul.

Organization and leadership

The organization is led by its founder and president, Kimberly Kagan. Her husband, military historian Frederick W. Kagan, directs its affiliated Critical Threats Project, which focuses on Iran and jihadist threats. The staff includes a team of analysts, often with backgrounds in military service, intelligence analysis, regional studies, and GIS mapping. It operates as a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) organization, funded by grants from private foundations, individual donors, and contracts. The organization maintains a strict policy of not accepting funding from the U.S. federal government or any foreign government to safeguard its analytical independence, a principle articulated in its publicly available ethics guidelines.

Research focus and methodology

Its core research focuses on the in-depth, open-source analysis of active military conflicts and security threats. The methodology is characterized by the systematic collection of data from a wide array of public sources, including social media, local news reports, official statements from the Pentagon and the Russian Ministry of Defence, and satellite imagery. Analysts cross-reference this information to produce detailed, daily updates on battlefield developments, which are often visualized using proprietary, interactive maps. This approach has been applied to conflicts including the Syrian Civil War, the War in Donbas, the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, and operations against the Islamic State. The organization also publishes longer-form assessments on geopolitical competition, particularly involving Russia, China, and Iran.

Key publications and products

Its most recognizable product is a series of daily and weekly situation maps and reports, especially for the Russo-Ukrainian War, which are widely cited by major media outlets like The *New York Times*, CNN, and BBC News. Other significant publications include the Iran Crisis Update and the Salafi-Jihadism Weekly Update from the Critical Threats Project. The organization also produces comprehensive campaign studies, such as analyses of the Battle of Mosul and the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive. These reports are freely available on its website and are frequently entered into the official records of congressional hearings, providing foundational briefings for members of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Influence and reception

The organization has exerted significant influence on U.S. national security discourse and policy debates, particularly through its detailed, evidence-based briefings provided directly to Congress, the U.S. Department of Defense, and NATO allies. Its maps and reports have become standard reference materials for journalists covering the Russo-Ukrainian War. While generally praised for its granular tactical analysis and transparency, it has also faced occasional criticism from some scholars and commentators who argue its focus on military operations can understate diplomatic or political dimensions. Its founders' past support for the Iraq War troop surge of 2007 and advocacy for certain defense policies have led some observers to associate its perspectives with a more assertive U.S. foreign policy stance, though the organization maintains its analytical work is strictly non-partisan and fact-driven.

Category:Think tanks based in Washington, D.C. Category:Research organizations in the United States Category:Organizations established in 2007