Mark Cancian (Colonel, USMCR, ret.) is a senior adviser with the CSIS Defense and Security Department. He joined CSIS in April 2015 from the Office of Management and Budget, where he spent more than seven years as chief of the Force Structure and Investment Division, working on issues such as Department of Defense budget strategy, war funding, and procurement programs, as well as nuclear weapons development and nonproliferation activities in the Department of Energy. Previously, he worked on force structure and acquisition issues in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and ran research and executive programs at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. In the military, Colonel Cancian spent over three decades in the U.S. Marine Corps, active and reserve, serving as an infantry, artillery, and civil affairs officer and on overseas tours in Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Iraq (twice). Since 2000, he has been an adjunct faculty member at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, where he teaches a course on the connection between policy and analysis. A prolific author, he has published over 40 articles on military operations, acquisition, budgets, and strategy and received numerous writing awards. He graduated with high honors (magna cum laude) from Harvard College and with highest honors (Baker scholar) from Harvard Business School.
Programs & Projects
Media Queries
- Sofia Chavez
- Media Relations Manager, External Relations
- 202.775.7317
- SChavez@csis.org
Featured
Photo: CSIS
Wargaming Nuclear Deterrence and Its Failures in a U.S.–China Conflict over Taiwan
A new report informed by 15 wargame simulations examines nuclear dynamics in a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, assessing what creates the greatest pressure for nuclear weapons use in such a conflict, what happens if nuclear weapons are used, and potential off-ramps.
Report by Mark F. Cancian, Matthew F. Cancian,and Eric Heginbotham— December 13, 2024
In the News8 of836 results
Venezuela Accuses Trump Administration of ‘Piracy’ After Oil Tanker Seizure
Mark F. Cancian cited inTime Magazine— December 11, 2025
Ship seizure operations 'routine' for US military - retired colonel
Mark F. Cancian cited inBBC— December 10, 2025
‘Voodoo Rituals’ and Banana Wars: U.S. Military Action in Latin America
Mark F. Cancian cited inThe New York Times— December 9, 2025
Trump administration quietly builds plans for what would happen if Maduro were ousted in Venezuela
Mark F. Cancian cited inCNN— December 9, 2025
US lawmakers are questioning US Defense Secretary’s conduct in office
Mark F. Cancian appearance onDW News— December 7, 2025
Letters to the Editor: Is military action really the most efficient way to help American drug users?
Mark F. Cancian cited inLos Angeles Times— December 6, 2025
Facts still uncertain in military follow-up strike probe: Military analyst | Morning in America
Mark F. Cancian appearance onNewsNation— December 5, 2025
Hegseth says Signal texts report exonerates him, but expert says the claims are "ludicrous"
Mark F. Cancian appearance onCBS News— December 4, 2025
AllMark F. Cancian Content
Filter by
- Afghanistan(2)
- Africa(2)
- Americas(20)
- Asia(30)
- Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific(6)
- Central Asia(1)
- China(18)
- Eastern Europe(5)
- Europe(28)
- European Union(1)
- India(2)
- Iran(1)
- Japan(2)
- Korea(4)
- Middle East(14)
- NATO(9)
- North America(22)
- Russia(24)
- Russia and Eurasia(32)
- South America(6)
- Southeast Asia(5)
- The Caribbean(3)
- The Gulf(1)
- Ukraine(7)
- Venezuela(6)
- Allies and Partners(4)
- Asian Economics(2)
- Civic Education(1)
- Climate Change(1)
- Conflict and Humanitarian Crises(1)
- Counterterrorism and Homeland Security(6)
- COVID-19(4)
- Cybersecurity(1)
- Defense and Security(175)
- Defense Budget and Acquisition(72)
- Defense Industrial Base(3)
- Defense Industry, Acquisition, and Innovation(48)
- Defense Strategy and Capabilities(86)
- Economic Security(2)
- Energy and Geopolitics(1)
- Gender and International Security(1)
- Geopolitics and International Security(76)
- Global Health(1)
- Governance and Rule of Law(1)
- Health and Security(1)
- Humanitarian Assistance(1)
- Human Security(1)
- Intelligence(5)
- Intelligence, Surveillance, and Privacy(1)
- Military Technology(8)
- Missile Defense(6)
- Nuclear Issues(8)
- Shipbuilding(2)
- Space and Aerospace(2)
- Strategic Capital(2)
- Technology(4)
- Technology and Innovation(2)
- Transnational Threats(5)
- Ukraine War(8)
- Wargaming and Scenarios(10)
The Unfinished Plan for Peace in Ukraine: Provision by Provision
President Trump is pressuring Ukraine to sign his 28-point “peace agreement,” amid criticism that the plan is pro-Russian and too vague to implement. This is not an agreement but may be a starting point. Indeed, the Europeans have put forth their own, more balanced version.
Report by Mark F. Cancianand Maria Snegovaya— November 24, 2025
USS Ford arrives in the Caribbean: Will It Strike or Stand Down?
With the redeployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean reaches a level unseen since the Cold War.The aircraft carrier’s arrival suggests a shift from a campaign against drug smugglers to one that includes undermining the Maduro regime.
Analysis by Mark F. Cancianand Chris H. Park— November 13, 2025
Trump’s Caribbean Campaign: The Data Behind the Developing Conflict
An audio version of “Trump’s Caribbean Campaign: The Data Behind the Developing Conflict,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.
Podcast Episode by Mark F. Cancianand Chris H. Park— November 10, 2025
Trump’s Caribbean Campaign: The Data Behind Operation Southern Spear
The United States and Venezuela teeter on the brink of war. Twelve charts and tables lay out where we are, how we got here, and how a conflict might play out.
Commentary by Mark F. Cancianand Chris H. Park— November 10, 2025
Trump Has Sufficient Firepower to Launch Immediate Strikes on Venezuela
U.S. airstrikes against military targets inside Venezuelareportedly “could come at any moment,” as the presidentpursues both a war on drug cartels and destabilization of the Maduro regime.
Analysis by Mark F. Cancianand Chris H. Park— October 31, 2025
Caribbean Buildup: A Renewed Focus on Counternarcotics and Hemispheric Security?
Join the Americas Program for a conversation on Latin America’s evolving security environment and new U.S. strategic objectives under the Trump administration.
Event— October 27, 2025
U.S. Carrier to the Caribbean: A Step Closer to War
An audio version of “U.S. Carrier to the Caribbean: A Step Closer to War,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.
Podcast Episode by Mark F. Cancianand Chris H. Park— October 24, 2025
U.S. Carrier to the Caribbean: A Step Closer to War
Moving a carrier strike group is highly significant. U.S. forces are increasingly well positioned to conduct an air campaign against either the cartels or Venezuela—but don't yet have the combat power for a ground invasion.
Commentary by Mark F. Cancianand Chris H. Park— October 24, 2025
Will the Tomahawks Save Ukraine?
About a thousand Tomahawk missiles in the U.S. stockpile today are available for transfer to Ukraine. They could have a major impact on the war, but the Pacific theater needs and Russian opposition could disrupt any deal.
Critical Questions by Mark F. Cancianand Chris H. Park— October 17, 2025
Will the Tomahawks Save Ukraine?
An audio version of "Will the Tomahawks Save Ukraine?," a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.
Podcast Episode by Mark F. Cancianand Chris H. Park— October 17, 2025