Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS)

06/13/2026

What can Star Wars teach us about international space law?

In a new article, INSS Senior Fellow Todd Pennington uses a memorable line from Star Wars to examine an important question: What happens if a state withdraws from the Outer Space Treaty?

His analysis explores whether key principles of space law would endure treaty withdrawal and what that could mean for the future governance of outer space.

Read more: https://inss.ndu.edu/Media/News/Article/4506745/i-will-make-it-legal-from-palpatine-to-article-xvi-an-assessment-of-the-outer-s/

06/11/2026

🎓 Congratulations to NDU 2026 graduates!

Today we recognize their hard work and dedication, as well as the research faculty who contributed to joint professional military education (JPME) by teaching, advising, and lecturing. National Defense University educates for warfighting advantage to win in competition, crisis and conflict.

NDU Graduation will be broadcast live and recorded via DVIDS at 10:00 am: https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/37744

06/09/2026

How could agentic AI change the future of influence operations?

A new Homeland Security Today article examines how advanced AI systems can generate, adapt, and tailor narratives in real time to influence perceptions, emotions, and behavior.

Dr. Elise Annett and Dr. James Giordano argue that these capabilities are transforming influence operations from discrete campaigns into persistent, adaptive systems that can operate at unprecedented speed and scale.

As strategic competition extends into the cognitive domain, understanding autonomous narrative warfare will be critical to anticipating how emerging technologies may shape future conflict.

Read more: https://inss.ndu.edu/Research-and-Commentary/View-Publications/Article/4512297/autonomous-narrative-warfare-engaging-agentic-ai-within-the-cognitive-battlespa/

06/08/2026

🧠 What makes cognitive warfare different from traditional psychological operations?

This Small Wars Journal article by Robert Schmidle and Dr. James Giordano argues that cognitive warfare extends beyond messaging and influence, encompassing biological, psychological, and social dimensions that shape decision-making, behavior, and strategic outcomes.

As strategic competitors and adversaries continue to develop capabilities targeting the cognitive domain, the United States must strengthen its ability to deter, defend against, and compete in this emerging domain of warfare.

Read more: https://inss.ndu.edu/Research-and-Commentary/View-Publications/Article/4511175/cognitive-warfare-at-the-crossroads-defining-and-developing-capabilities/

06/04/2026

🤝 🇯🇵 Strengthening strategic dialogue with allies and partners.

INSS recently hosted researchers from Japan's National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) and officers from the Japan Self-Defense Force participating in NIDS' National Security Strategist Studies Program.

Discussions focused on the U.S.-Japan alliance and the evolving security environment in the Indo-Pacific.

Read more: https://inss.ndu.edu/Events/Event-View/Article/4509186/inss-hosts-counterparts-from-japans-national-institute-for-defense-studies-nids/

06/03/2026

🛰️ As military and civilian activity in space expands, how should national security and international responsibility be balanced?

A new article in the Advance Research in Sciences (ARS) Journal examines the ethical foundations of military space operations, arguing that future strategies should advance security, stability, and the sustainable use of space.

As space becomes increasingly important to national security and strategic competition, developing responsible approaches to military operations in the space domain will remain an important priority.

Read the full publication: https://inss.ndu.edu/Research-and-Commentary/View-Publications/Article/4507816/multifactorial-considerations-for-the-neurocognitive-aspects-of-military-operat/

06/02/2026

In a new article, INSS Senior Fellow Todd Pennington uses a memorable line from Star Wars to examine an important question: What happens if a state withdraws from the Outer Space Treaty?

Read more: https://inss.ndu.edu/Media/News/Article/4506745/i-will-make-it-legal-from-palpatine-to-article-xvi-an-assessment-of-the-outer-s/

We are pleased to publish the first article in our special Journal of Space Law Sci-Fi Edition series.

In “I Will Make It Legal”: From Palpatine to Article XVI, an Assessment of the Outer Space Treaty’s Withdrawal Mechanism, Todd Pennington uses a memorable line from Star Wars to explore a serious and largely overlooked question in international space law: what happens if a State withdraws from the Outer Space Treaty?

Drawing on examples from the South China Sea, arms control agreements and future lunar activities, the article examines the relationship between treaty law and customary international law, and asks whether some of the foundational principles of space law would survive treaty withdrawal.
A thought-provoking contribution that challenges us to think about the future resilience of the legal framework governing outer space.

Read it here: https://centerforairandspacelaw.space/2026/06/02/i-will-make-it-legal-from-palpatine-to-article-xvi-an-assessment-of-the-outer-space-treatys-withdrawal-mechanism/

06/01/2026

How are regional powers adapting their nuclear strategies in a changing security environment?

INSS Distinguished Fellow Jeffrey Mankoff participated in the Evolving Nuclear Dynamics on the Korean Peninsula conference in Seoul. The conference examined evolving nuclear strategies among regional powers and policy responses available to South Korea.

Mankoff's presentation explored Russia's nuclear strategy and evolving approach to non-proliferation and strategic stability in East Asia.

The discussion reflects INSS's ongoing research and analysis of critical state adversaries and issues related to nuclear strategy, non-proliferation, and strategic stability.

Read more: https://inss.ndu.edu/Events/Event-View/Article/4505294/inss-participates-in-seoul-conference-on-nuclear-dynamics-on-the-korean-peninsu/

05/29/2026

As we wrap up the month of May, we're reflecting on one of the many ways INSS experts contributed to National Defense University's mission of educating for warfighting advantage.

Earlier this month, INSS faculty and fellows joined colleagues from across NDU in facilitating discussions on U.S. defense strategy, Indo-Pacific security, and developments in the Middle East during a visit by the NATO Defense College's Senior Officer Course delegation.

By fostering strategic dialogue among allies and partners, these exchanges help strengthen shared understanding of emerging security challenges and support collective defense.

Read more: https://inss.ndu.edu/Research-and-Commentary/View-Publications/Article/4485702/inss-facilitates-strategic-discussions-during-nato-defense-college-visit/

05/28/2026

🛰️ Strategic competition in space is raising new questions surrounding deterrence, stability, and escalation.

INSS Senior Fellow Todd Pennington participated in a panel discussion at AIAA - The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics's ASCEND 2026, their annual conference on spacepower. The panel focused on deterrence, stability, and escalation in space.

Mr. Todd Pennington, INSS Senior Fellow for Space Strategy and Policy, was a panelist at ASCEND 2026, the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics' annual conference on spacepower.