What We Do

ISG ICB efforts are driven by broader U.S. policy, aligned with strategic guidance in the National Defense and National Military Strategies, and support mutual U.S.-partner nation objectives congruent with Geographic Combatant Command and U.S. Embassy plans, programs, and activities. ISG’s experienced teams work with partners to cultivate security governance, defense management, operational planning, resource management, defense logistics, cybersecurity, human capital oversight, and professional military education among many other functional areas. Baselined by detailed scoping and tailored project design, ISG integrates innovative assessment, monitoring, and evaluation practices into each capacity building effort, fostering long-term Security Cooperation relationships that fulfill Congressionally mandated ICB requirements. ISG employs Non-Resident Advisors, who conduct periodic multi-year, in-country and virtual ICB partner engagements as well as Resident Advisors, who provide persistent engagement by deploying in-country for up to two years.

ISG’s tailored education and professional development courses help build and sustain a comprehensive knowledge base and strengthen partner capacities to confront complex security and defense challenges. Delivered in the United States, abroad, and sometimes virtually in a short-course format, these offerings bring applied learning practices into bilateral or multilateral classroom environments. Participants are encouraged to engage in open, peer-to-peer learning, and form long-term international and interagency networks.

ISG – collaborating with other DSCU components – advances the professionalization of ICB practitioners through high-quality instruction in the theory and application of Institutional Capacity Building to the Security Cooperation enterprise and beyond. As the DOD’s primary ICB implementer, the Institute is a key resource for ICB-related information including best practices, common challenges, and lessons-learned, helping to refine and strengthen the United State's ability to effectively engage with partners toward shared security goals.