A think tanks relationship to operative crisis management actors largely affects how it can assist in times of crisis. The expertise held and the ability to perform “proactive” and “reactive” analysis are determining factors. Prior analysis, planning and recommendations to enhance various crisis management systems are possible contribution. Reactive contributions can be given during a crisis situation or in the post crisis phase as evaluation and assessment. The closer a think tank works with the policy community the more likely it will be to have channels of communication that allow it to deliver direct support during a crisis.

As an independent government think tank FOI has the ability to assist decision makers in all stages of a crisis. The combination of policy and technical know?how held at the institute gives it a broad ability to prepare, support and evaluate crises and crisis management within a wide number of issues. Government-affiliated think tanks are also able to support foreign states in crisis management. FOI delivered support to South Korea after North Koreas nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009. The Department of nuclear weapons related research at FOI provided detection technology to the ROK. Under Swedish national auspice FOI also participated in the Cheonan investigation, an example of post-crisis support.