The Middle East is on the brink of a new crisis. Here’s where it could start.

New Atlanticist Nov 1, 2024

NATO needs a defense industrial strategy that prioritizes being strong, smart, and together

By Kristen Taylor, Luka Ignac

A recent two-day summit underscored the ways in which the credibility of allied deterrence hinges on robust defense industrial cooperation.
Defense Policy Defense Technologies
The Middle East is on the brink of a new crisis. Here’s where it could start.

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
The Middle East is on the brink of a new crisis. Here’s where it could start.

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

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and the world.

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Content

Dispatches

Dec 24, 2025

The Middle East is on the brink of a new crisis. Here’s where it could start.

By Alex Plitsas

No one should confuse the patchwork of temporary cease-fire agreements in place throughout the Middle East for sustainable deterrence and peace.

Conflict
Crisis Management

Issue Brief

Dec 22, 2025

How to equip Canada’s defense industrial base to meet NATO’s Hague summit commitments

By Jason C. Moyer

In 2025 Canada met NATO’s target of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense for the first time and committed to the new target of 5 percent by 2035, but its defense industrial base will struggle to deliver in its current state.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

In the News

Dec 19, 2025

Kroenig in the Wall Street Journal on the US National Security Strategy

On December 19, Atlantic Council Vice President and Scowcroft Center Senior Director Matthew Kroenig published an opinion letter in the Wall Street Journal titled “What Trump’s Foreign-Policy Detractors Miss.” In the article, Kroenig argues that critics of the new NSS overlook the practical roadmap it lays out for addressing core strategic challenges.

Defense Policy
National Security

TURKEYSource

Dec 19, 2025

How NATO and its partners should respond to Russia’s militarization of the wider Black Sea region

By Arnold C. Dupuy

As Russia continues to destabilize and militarize the Black Sea region, helping bolster regional security will require a concerted focus.

Conflict
Defense Policy

MENASource

Dec 18, 2025

Russia’s most important Middle East base is not where you think

By Frank Talbot

Before its future in post-Assad Syria was determined, Russia was actively searching for alternative strategic relationships in the region.

Defense Policy
Libya

Dispatches

Dec 15, 2025

How Europe can strengthen its own defenses and rebalance transatlantic relations

Europe should advance a new security architecture aimed at strengthening its own defense while continuing to cooperate with the United States in areas of mutual interest.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

In the News

Dec 11, 2025

Kroenig in Foreign Policy on the National Security Strategy

On December 11, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig published an article in Foreign Policy titled “Two Cheers for the National Security Strategy.” In the article, Kroenig lays out the strengths and weaknesses of the NSS and places it in a broader strategic context.

Defense Policy

In the News

Dec 10, 2025

Wieslander in New York Times

Director for Northern Europe, Anna Wieslander, featured in the New York Times on Wednesday December 10 on the challenges to Europe’s security. Wieslander underlines that Ukraine is Europe’s first line of defense against Russia but explains that “we don’t follow through on what that means and what it costs”. The frozen Russian assets are essential […]

Defense Policy
Northern Europe

In the News

Dec 10, 2025

Wieslander in Swedish Radio podcast

Director for Northern Europe, Anna Wieslander was interviewed in the Swedish Radio podcast “USApodden” (The USA podcast) on the European reactions to the new US NSS and its implications for European security and policy. While Europe remains important for the US Administration, it is perceived to have several challenges that Europe needs to deal with, […]

Defense Policy
NATO

In the News

Dec 10, 2025

Gray in The Wall Street Journal on the National Security Strategy

On December 10, Alexander B. Gray, a nonresident senior fellow with the GeoStrategy Initiative at the Scowcroft Center, published an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal titled “The Logic of Trump’s Foreign-Policy Doctrine”. He argues that the new National Security Strategy’s greatest strength is its clear prioritization of core national interests within a larger […]

Defense Policy
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Experts

Expert

Gabrielius Landsbergis

Distinguished Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Defense Policy Lithuanian

Fellow

Lisa C. Sawyer

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Defense Policy Economy & Business

Staff

Maeve Cuddy

Assistant Director

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Jake Sotiriadis

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Corey Jacobson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy National Security

Fellow

Russell Rumbaugh

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Maritime Security
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