ANALYTICAL CENTERS AS THE INTELLECTUAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF U.S. GEOSTRATEGY
Keywords:
think tanks, US geostrategy, foreign policy, national security, strategic planning, containment policy, international relations.
Abstract
The article examines the role of think tanks as a key element of the intellectual infra- structure of US geostrategy. The relevance of the topic is due to changes in the global security matrix, with the war in Ukraine and the Middle East serving as a global “stress test” for the neoliberal world order, the strategic strength of the US, and the stability of Western security alliances. Contemporary wars and conflicts provide an extremely relevant empirical context for studying how American think tanks shape discourse, determine strategic options, and legitimize state actions. The historical evolution of “think tanks” in the US from the early 20th century to the present day is analyzed, in particular the activities of the Brookings Institution, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Heritage Foundation, the RAND Corporation, and CSIS. The tools used by US think tanks to influence the development of the state’s foreign policy strategies are examined: from the RAND Corporation’s “mutually assured destruction” to war games and the modeling of military conflict scenarios by CSIS experts. It has been proven that think tanks play a key role in legitimizing US participation in global conflicts, not only by forming a consensus among elites, but also by designing regulatory frameworks that support long-term strategic goals.Generating ideas, training experts, providing analyti- cal support to the government, and modeling scenarios are tools used by authoritative American think tanks. These tools are comprehensive and multifaceted, helping the US government respond quickly to contemporary geopolitical challenges. It has been determined that during crises, the influence of think tanks increases as governments seek quick expert advice. Their ability to define the boundaries of “accept- able” policy options, especially in polarized political contexts, allows them to indirectly determine the direction of foreign policy.
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[in English]. [Ewaida S. The Role of Unofficial American Think Tanks in Shaping the Strategy for Controlling the Trajectory of the International System (The Ukraine War as a Model). Journal of Political Science and International Relations. 2025. Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 169-178. URL: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.
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Communication, 2023. 8(3), pp. 66–75. https://doi.org/10.69587/sdc/3.2023.66].
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McGann, J. (2005). Think Tanks and Policy Advice in The US. Foreign Policy Research Institute. [in English].[McGann J. ThinkTanks and Policy Advice in The US. Foreign Policy Research Institute. 2005. DOI:10.4324/9780203963203].
McGann, J. (2016). The Fifth Estate: Think Tanks, Public Policy, and Governance. Brookings Institution Press. [in English].[McGann J. The Fifth Estate: Think Tanks, Public Policy, and Governance. Brookings Institution Press. 2016. URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7864/j.ctt1gpccjc.(дата звернення: 22.02.2026)].
McGann, J. (2020) Global Go To Think Tank Index Report. [in English].[McGann J. Global Go To Think Tank Index Report. 2020. URL: https://razumkov.org.ua/uploads/2020_Global_Go_To_Think_Tank_Index_Report.pdf(дата звернення: 20.02.2026)].
Su, J. (2016). ThinkTanks in the United States: The Evolution and Evolving Roles. Sociology Study,6(3), 176–185.[in English].[Su J. Think Tanks in the United States: The Evolution and Evolving Roles. Sociology Study, March 2016, Vol. 6, No. 3, 176-185. DOI: 10.17265/2159-5526/2016.03].
Talbott, S. (2002).The Brookings Institution: How a Think Tank Works. US Foreign Policy, 7(3), 19–21. U [in English]. [Talbott S. The Brookings Institution: How a Think Tank Works. USForeign Policy. 2002. Vol. 7. Is. 3. pp. 19–21. URL: https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/olj/fpa/fpa_nov02_talbott.pdf. (дата звернення: 25.02.2026)].
Trump, D. (November,2025). National Security Strategy. The Wit eHouse.. [in English].[Trump D. National Security Strategy. The Wite House. November 2025. URL: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf.(дата звернення: 23.02.2026)].
Wendlin, M. (February 14,2025). Project 2025: The right-wing wish list for Trump’s second term. BBC News. [in English]. [Wendlin M. Project 2025: The right-wing wish list for Trump’s second term. BBC News. 14 February, 2025. URL:https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c977njnvq2do.(дата звернення: 23.02.2026)].
Published
2026-05-29
How to Cite
Korotkov, D. S. (2026). ANALYTICAL CENTERS AS THE INTELLECTUAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF U.S. GEOSTRATEGY. International and Political Studies, (41), 174-185. https://doi.org/10.32782/2707-5206.2026.41.15
Section
THEORY AND HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT AND PROBLEMS OF POLITICAL DISCOURSE
