Mike Sweeney - Defense Priorities

Military analysis, Basing and force posture, and Foreign and defense policy

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.

In the mediaChina‑Taiwan, Asia, China, Military analysis, Naval power

China launched ten submarines in four years. The U.S. Navy struggled to built just seven.

Featuring Mike Sweeney

April 11, 2026

Defense Priorities urges caution before buying into the trendline argument. In their view, geography still works against Beijing’s naval expansion plans. China […]

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

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

On limited nuclear use in the Western Pacific

By Mike Sweeney

August 6, 2025

China launched ten submarines in four years. The U.S. Navy struggled to built just seven.

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

On limited nuclear use in the Western Pacific

China launched ten submarines in four years. The U.S. Navy struggled to built just seven.

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

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

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