Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments
Background
Background
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CSBA traces its origins to the Defense Budget Project, which was established by Gordon Adams in 1983 at the [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities](/wiki/Center_on_Budget_and_Policy_Priorities "Center on Budget and Policy Priorities") in order to "fill a vital information gap in the policy debate" during the [Reagan Administration](/wiki/Presidency_of_Ronald_Reagan "Presidency of Ronald Reagan")'s defense buildup." In May 1995, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments was incorporated in its current form. Over the next two decades, CSBA played a prominent role in the debate over the [revolution in military affairs (RMA)](/wiki/Revolution_in_military_affairs "Revolution in military affairs") and the transformation of the US military.

Since September 11, 2001, CSBA has focused its analysis on linking near\-term requirements to longer term challenges. According to the group's website, CSBA "looks out two to three decades to identify emerging security challenges and opportunities." CSBA describes its current efforts as "drawing attention to a set of worrisome and profound emerging areas of concern: a rising [China threat](/wiki/Military_budget_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China "Military budget of the People's Republic of China") in the Pacific Theater; a [nuclear\-armed Iran](/wiki/Nuclear_program_of_Iran "Nuclear program of Iran"); maintaining the US [defense industrial base](/wiki/Defense_industry "Defense industry"); and realigning the [defense budget](/wiki/US_defense_budget "US defense budget")." Over the past few years, CSBA has played a prominent role in the ongoing development of an [AirSea Battle](/wiki/AirSea_Battle "AirSea Battle") concept by the U.S. Air Force and Navy. Following cuts to U.S. defense spending and accelerating foreign military modernization, CSBA has also taken a lead role in highlighting the need to rebalance the Department of Defense's force structure and invest wisely for future challenges.

CSBA is a [501(c)(3\) non\-profit educational organization](/wiki/501%28c%29%283%29%23501%28c%29%283%29 "501(c)(3)#501(c)(3)"). The group's public education and research program is funded by grants and contributions from a range of foundations and corporations. The majority of CSBA's income comes from research support under contract with the Department of Defense, its sub\-agencies, the six branches, and the [Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency](/wiki/DARPA "DARPA") (DARPA).


How does CSBA's work impact national defense policies?