Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments
Introduction


The **Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments** (**CSBA**) is an independent, non\-profit, [Washington, D.C.](/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C. "Washington, D.C.")\-based [think tank](/wiki/Think_tank "Think tank") specializing in US [defense policy](/wiki/Defense_policy "Defense policy"), force planning, and [budgets](/wiki/US_defense_budget "US defense budget"). It is headed by [Thomas Mahnken](/wiki/Thomas_Mahnken "Thomas Mahnken"). CSBA's stated mission is "to develop innovative, resource\-informed defense concepts, promote public debate, and spur action to advance U.S. and allied interests."

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](/wiki/Office_of_Net_Assessment "Office of Net Assessment") methodology, [wargaming](/wiki/Wargaming "Wargaming"), and by estimated impact on the [Department of Defense](/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Defense "United States Department of Defense") budget over multiple Future Years Defense Programs.


What initiatives does CSBA emphasize?