What Happened
CASI Director Claims Institute Is Basically Dead Despite Official Denials
The Air Force’s premier think tank focused on Chinese air and space power, the China Aerospace Studies Institute, is facing an uncertain future despite official claims that it will continue to operate. The institute’s director, Brendan Mulvaney, has stated that the elimination of eight civilian staff positions effectively means the end of the organization, as its research is largely carried out by these experts. The Air Force has announced that CASI will continue to function with military personnel, but Mulvaney argues that this is not a viable solution. The situation has raised concerns among experts and officials, who value CASI’s research and analysis on China’s military capabilities. This development was first reported by Breaking Defense.