Mike Sweeney - Defense Priorities

Military analysis, Basing and force posture, Burden sharing, China, Foreign and defense policy, Middle East, NATO, Russian military, and Ukraine-Russia

Mike Sweeney

Non-Resident Fellow

Mike Sweeney is a non-resident fellow at Defense Priorities.

Sweeney previously spent 13 years as think tank analyst in Washington, DC, where he focused on U.S. foreign policy and defense planning, undertaking research and studies, including for the Department of Defense. His areas of research include U.S. national security, such as NATO relations and enlargement, Middle Eastern politics and security relations, Russian military and doctrine, long-range defense planning scenarios, and U.S. overseas presence and basing options. From 2001 to 2005, he served as the rapporteur for the Defense Policy Board. He is the co-author of the monograph, Central Asia in U.S. Strategy and Operational Planning (2004) and two books published by Brassey’s, Strategic Paradigms 2025 (1999) and Strategic Dynamics in the Nordic-Baltic Region (2000). His articles and essays have appeared on sites such as Divergent Options, West Point’s Modern War Institute, and War on the Rocks, among other outlets.

Naval power, Asia, Military analysis

Japan’s navy spots newest Chinese aircraft carrier sailing for first time in East China Sea

By Mike Sweeney

September 12, 2025

Fujian is larger than China’s other two carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, and features significant improvements over either. The carrier can […]

ReportChina, Asia, China‑Taiwan, Nuclear weapons, Taiwan

On limited nuclear use in the Western Pacific

By Mike Sweeney

August 6, 2025

In the mediaAfrica

Is This The End Of The US Africa Command?

Featuring Mike Sweeney

March 25, 2025

Japan’s navy spots newest Chinese aircraft carrier sailing for first time in East China Sea

On limited nuclear use in the Western Pacific

Is This The End Of The US Africa Command?

Japan’s navy spots newest Chinese aircraft carrier sailing for first time in East China Sea

On limited nuclear use in the Western Pacific

Is This The End Of The US Africa Command?

Why isn’t AFRICOM in Africa? Here’s a look at the command’s history and its uncertain future

Want Europe to defend itself? Give it something specific to do

Rethinking Africa Command

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

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