Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments

Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments Profile and History

The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) is an independent, non-profit, Washington, D.C.-based think tank specializing in US defense policy, force planning, and budgets. It is headed by Thomas Mahnken. According to its website, CSBA's mission is "to promote innovative thinking and debate about national security strategy, defense planning and military investment options ... [and] t o enable policymakers to make informed decisions in matters of strategy, security policy and resource allocation." CSBA emphasizes initiatives the United States and its allies can take to wisely invest in the future, including during periods of fiscal austerity and uncertainty. CSBA evaluates its policy proposals through the net assessment methodology, wargaming, and by estimated impact on the Department of Defense budget over multiple Future Years Defense Programs.