How should the next National Defense Strategy balance terrorism, rogue regimes, and great-power competition?

EnergySource Nov 14, 2024

Europe’s new industrial plan faces formidable obstacles

By Andrei Covatariu

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has promised to put forth in her second term a new Clean Industrial Deal to mobilize investment in infrastructure and industry, and reduce dependence on energy imports. But energy supply challenges and geopolitical hurdles risk undermining plans to restore Europe’s industrial competitiveness.
Defense Industry Energy & Environment
How should the next National Defense Strategy balance terrorism, rogue regimes, and great-power competition?

New Atlanticist Oct 30, 2024

In defense of Draghi’s defense idea: Three models for a centralized defense procurer for the EU

By Thomas Goldstein

Only a European defense procurer can provide the institutional reform to overcome intra- and intergovernmental paralysis and invest at scale.
Defense Industry Defense Policy
How should the next National Defense Strategy balance terrorism, rogue regimes, and great-power competition?

New Atlanticist Oct 28, 2024

The US needs a stronger defense industrial base. Option contracts can help.

By Michael Hogan

The US government would pay a premium on current orders, but it would then have the option to purchase a larger amount within a fixed timeframe.
Defense Industry Defense Policy

Content

Seizing the advantage

Mar 1, 2021

How should the next National Defense Strategy balance terrorism, rogue regimes, and great-power competition?

By Matthew R. Crouch, Ronald C. Fairbanks

Our experts explore how the United States can tackle terrorism, address the advances of rogue regimes, and establish a balance between competition and cooperation with other global powers.

China
Conflict

Seizing the advantage

Feb 19, 2021

How the next National Defense Strategy can get serious about emerging technologies

By Justin Sherman, Evanna Hu

US adversaries including China, Iran, and Russia are investing in additional technological capabilities to counterbalance the United States’ advantages in great-power competition—specifically its dominance in kinetic operations and weapons. The next NDS must differentiate among different technologies to create more nuanced strategies.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

In the News

Feb 19, 2021

Kroenig, Massa, Piliero in Defense News on nuclear modernization

By Atlantic Council

On February 19, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Deputy Director Matthew Kroenig, Forward Defense Assistant Director Mark J. Massa, and Young Global Professional Raphael Piliero wrote an op-ed on nuclear modernization for Defense News.

Defense Industry
Defense Technologies

Event Recap

Feb 16, 2021

Keeping pace with the competition: How the Pentagon can incentivize innovation at the speed of relevance

By Julia Siegel

Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf, Maxar CEO Dan Jablonsky, Atlantic Council Nonresident Senior Fellow Dr. Melissa Flagg, and NDIA Chairman MajGen Arnold Punaro joined Forward Defense for a Captains of Industry discussion on how the Department of Defense can adapt acquisition practices to improve its access to the US innovation base.

China
Defense Industry

In the News

Feb 12, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in the Guardian on whether the UK will follow the US in ending support for the Saudi-led offensive in Yemen
Defense Industry
Defense Technologies

Event Recap

Feb 11, 2021

Foreseeing the future of warfare: Indo-Pacific nations lead in emerging defense innovations

By Julia Siegel

Indo-Pacific experts joined the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center and its Forward Defense practice for a discussion on Nonresident Senior Fellow Tate Nurkin’s latest report on "The Five Revolutions: Examining Defense Innovation in the Indo-Pacific Region."

China
Defense Industry

In the News

Feb 11, 2021

Captains of Industry event featured in SpaceNews

By Atlantic Council

On February 10, Forward Defense and Resident Senior Fellow Steven Grundman convened an event with Maxar CEO Daniel Jablonsky and Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf on "Innovating the Business Model of Defense." SpaceNews referenced the conversation in an article on Maxar smallsat developments.

China
Defense Industry

In the News

Feb 8, 2021

Rodriguez in Defense One on defense spending and priorities

By Atlantic Council

On February 8, Defense One published an article titled "How to reconnect the Pentagon's strategy to its budget" by Forward Defense senior advisor Stephen Rodriguez and Center for Government Contracting research fellow Eric Lofgren.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

Seizing the advantage

Feb 4, 2021

Elevating ‘deterrence by denial’ in US defense strategy

By Erica D. Borghard, Benjamin Jensen, and Mark Montgomery

As the Biden administration reshapes foreign policy and makes decisions about how to invest in US military capabilities for the future, it should acknowledge the value of a denial-based approach to deterrence.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

Seizing the advantage

Feb 3, 2021

How the US can regain the advantage in its next National Defense Strategy

By Clementine G. Starling-Daniels, Matthew R. Crouch

To seize the advantage, the next US National Defense Strategy needs a paradigm adjustment, not a shift. In the next NDS, the Biden defense team must take a broader definition of competition if the United States is to succeed in deterring, defending, and shaping the strategic environment in its favor.

Conflict
Defense Industry
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Experts

Fellow

Kevin P. Chilton

Distinguished Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Cybersecurity Defense Industry

Fellow

August Cole

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Robert Bassett Cross MC

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Steven Grundman

Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Adam Hammer

Nonresident Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Thomas X. Hammes

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Conflict Defense Industry
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Events

Public Event Wed, December 10, 2025 • 3:30 pm ET

Representatives Mark Messmer and Donald Norcross on US hypersonic capabilities
China Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies
Public Event Thu, December 11, 2025 • 1:00 pm ET

2025 Critical Minerals Supply Chains Summit
Defense Industry Economy & Business Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security