Military Operations | Council on Foreign Relations

Ukraine

How Much U.S. Aid Is Going to Ukraine?

Nine charts illustrate the extraordinary level of support the United States has provided Ukraine in its war against Russian invaders.

Article by Jonathan Masters and Will Merrow May 9, 2024
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Few Options for Gazans as Israel Enters Rafah

An impending Israeli ground invasion of Rafah could threaten more than a million civilians seeking refuge in the city and further restrict humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

In Brief by Christina Bouri and Diana Roy May 8, 2024
Ukraine

Weapons of War: The Race Between Russia and Ukraine

The new U.S. aid package will reestablish a critical flow of weapons to Ukraine’s military, but the war will hinge greatly on which side can ramp up and sustain its firepower and troop numbers in the months ahead.

Expert Brief by Max Boot April 24, 2024

Experts in this Topic

Richard K. Betts

Adjunct Senior Fellow for National Security Studies

Stephen Biddle

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Defense Policy

Christopher J. Wehri

Military Fellow, U.S. Army

Military Operations

Protecting U.S. Waterways, Coastlines, and Maritime Infrastructure

Eric Doucette, captain in the U.S. Coast Guard and visiting military fellow at CFR, discusses the primary missions of the coast guard including disaster management, protecting U.S. ports and shorelin…

Webinar by Eric J. Doucette and Irina A. Faskianos April 11, 2024 State and Local Webinars
United States

What Does the U.S. National Guard Do?

The National Guard is a special part of the U.S. military that answers to both state governors and the president. While it began as a “strategic reserve,” the guard has come to play an important role in domestic and overseas operations.

Backgrounder by Anshu Siripurapu and Noah Berman April 3, 2024
Defense and Security

The U.S. Navy Has a Nuclear Workforce Problem

Grueling work, financial stress, and shifting values are pushing too many of the navy’s nuclear personnel out of the service. Here’s how it can turn things around.

Expert Brief by John P. Barrientos March 26, 2024

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

What Is NATO?

The alliance is bolstering its military deterrent in Europe amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has expanded to include Finland and Sweden.

Backgrounder by Jonathan Masters March 18, 2024
Ukraine

What It Takes to Fly the F-16: Challenges for Ukraine

The advanced U.S. fighter aircraft will mark a significant upgrade to Ukraine’s air force, but their impact on the war with Russia will hinge on several factors.

Expert Brief by Kristen D. Thompson March 5, 2024
Ukraine

A Resilient Ukraine Faces Defeat if U.S. Aid Falters

A failure by the United States to continue military aid to Ukraine would spell disaster for Ukraine and its Western allies while emboldening Russia and other potential aggressors.

In Brief by Max Boot February 17, 2024
Russia

What Tucker Carlson’s Putin Interview Means for the War in Ukraine

In last week’s rare interview with a Western media figure, Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to combine a more reasonable tone with endless reminders of why Western governments think he’s not really interested in negotiating an end to the war with Ukraine.

In Brief by Stephen Sestanovich February 12, 2024 Europe Program
Ukraine

How the Drone War in Ukraine Is Transforming Conflict

Drone technology has been used extensively in twenty-first-century armed conflict, but the Russia-Ukraine war is driving innovations in autonomous warfare not seen on other battlefields.

Article by Kristen D. Thompson January 16, 2024
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: Details From October 7 Reveal Sexual Violence

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers December 23 to December 29.

Blog Post by Noël James December 29, 2023 Women Around the World
Middle East Program

Virtual Media Briefing: Israel's Military Strategy in Gaza

Panelists discuss Israel’s incursion into Southern Gaza, military tactics thus far, and potential exit strategies for the Israeli army.

Webinar by Daniel L. Byman, Steven A. Cook , Audrey Kurth Cronin and Justin Vogt December 21, 2023 Media Briefings
Peacekeeping

The Role of Peacekeeping in Africa

Africa continues to have more peacekeeping missions than any other continent. As conflict-stricken countries increasingly look outside the United Nations for support, experts say reforms are necessary to improve peacebuilding.

Backgrounder by Claire Klobucista and Mariel Ferragamo December 12, 2023
Israel

Israel Seeing Military Progress Against Hamas Amid Mounting Civilian Toll

Israel’s forces have moved to control the northern Gaza Strip but face challenges in tracking Hamas fighters into tunnels. Meanwhile, the costs for Palestinian civilians are intensifying pressure on Israeli leaders.

In Brief by Max Boot November 22, 2023