Strategic Studies deals with the relationship between politics and military power including the preparation, the threat and use of force, and its latent presence in international politics. Though the end of the Cold War has profoundly altered the nature of War, the bitter civil wars in the Balkans, Central Asia and Africa as well as the most recent instances of military response to the threat of international terrorism indicate that force continues to play a large role in international politics.

The goal of the Strategic Studies program is to help students understand the nature of force in world politics. Whether or not Strategic Studies concentrators will participate directly in military affairs (as officials, analysts, journalists, or military officers), the program prepares them to make intelligent and well-informed assessments on a wide range of strategic issues.

The study of national security issues at SAIS dates back to the founding of the school in 1943, but gained its greatest impetus under the direction of Professor Robert Osgood, who established a formal program in the field in 1980. The program was formerly directed by Professor Eliot A. Cohen, who came to the school in 1990. As Prof. Cohen is now on leave with the State Department, Professor Thomas Keaney is currently the acting director of the Strategic Studies Program. 

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A guide to the comprehensive exam in Strategic Studies for Ph.D. students.