The Strategic Posture Review Commission was tasked by Congress to “examine and make recommendations with respect to the long-term strategic posture of the United States.” Because that the definition of “strategic posture” is evolving, the Commission examined the nation’s strategic posture in all of its aspects—deterrence strategy, arms control initiatives, and nonproliferation strategies. This includes all roles of strategic weapons and tools to counter military threats to the United States and its allies, including missile defense. Additionally, the Commission examined the relationship between the nation’s military capabilities and both its arms control and nonproliferation strategies.

Congress created the Commission as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008. The House Armed Services Committee named six of the Commission’s twelve members; the Senate Armed Services Committee named the other six, three Democrats and three Republicans each. The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) was selected to facilitate the commission’s work. The Institute for Defense Analyses assisted the Commission with the classified and technical aspects of its work, as USIP does not handle classified materials.

To study the many questions of policy and strategy within the Commission’s purview, the Commission formed, and USIP facilitated, five working groups of experts drawn from across the political spectrum to explore issues of strategic policy and strategy, force structure and deterrence, countering proliferation, the nation’s nuclear infrastructure, and the evolving security environment.

The Commission delivered an interim report on December 15, 2008, and its final report to Congress on May 6, 2009.