Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States

The bipartisan commission, facilitated by USIP from 2008-2009, was tasked by Congress to "examine and make recommendations with respect to the long-term strategic posture of the United States." The Commission issued its final report to Congress on May 6, 2009. Quick Facts About the Commission The Commission consisted of twelve members nominated by Congress - 3 Democrats and 3 Republicans were selected by the House Armed Services Committee; 3 Democrats and 3 Republicans were selected by the Senate Armed Services Committee. USIP contracted with the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), which provided substantive expertise and support for classified discussions and materials. Fifty policy experts served in five Expert Working Groups that advised the Commission. Working Groups examined: (1) national security strategy and policies; (2) deterrent force posture; (3) countering proliferation; (4) nuclear infrastructure; and (5) external conditions and threats. There were 12 plenary meetings of the Commission from May 2008 to April 2009. The Commission met with 75 people in and out of government as it prepared its report, including representatives of foreign governments. The Commission and its supporting Expert Working Groups traveled to several key sites of the U.S. nuclear complex, including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Y-12 National Security Complex.