Russia's use of private military campanies (PMCs) to undermine U.S. power and increase Moscow's influence has exploded in recent years. With operations suspected or proven in as many as 30 countries—including Libya, Syria, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Venezuela—PMCs are likely to play a significant role in Russian strategic competition for the foreseeable future.

SOURCE: "Moscow's Mercenary Wars" by CSIS's Brian Katz, Seth G. Jones, Catrina Doxsee, and Nicholas Harrington. 

AI-enabled technologies are expected to raise global GDP by 14 percent in 2030 ($15.7 trillion), especially in the United States and China—transforming the nature of economic growth and activity.

SOURCE: "Key Trends in the Global Economy through 2030" by CSIS's William Reinsch, Jack Caporal, Matthew Goodman, and Scott Miller.

The Global Health Security Index has indicated that no country in the world is sufficiently prepared for the Covid-19 outbreak. Yet the estimated costs of preparedness average at $5 per capita—a tiny fraction of the trillions of dollars and counting in economic losses. 

SOURCE: "Advice to the Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness and Response" by CSIS's J. Stephen Morrison and Carolyn Reynolds. 

China is making steady progress in constructing what is believed to be its third aircraft carrier. For the first time since construction began, satellite imagery shows the vessel's hull blocks laid out and uncovered by environmental shelter, with visible hull blocks totaling roughly 297 meters in length.

SOURCE: "Tracking China's Third Aircraft Carrier" by the CSIS China Power Project.