Invest in space or lose the high ground

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
Invest in space or lose the high ground

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
Invest in space or lose the high ground

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

Issue Brief

Jul 23, 2025

Invest in space or lose the high ground

By Edward Brady, Clementine G. Starling-Daniels

Space superiority underpins military dominance across all domains. To deter and win future conflicts, the United States must significantly invest in the capabilities of its Space Force—including space command and control, as well as domain awareness.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Jul 23, 2025

A terrorist designation should only be the start in weakening Mexican cartels

By Aaron Kolleda

The Trump administration’s designation of several Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations must be followed by actions that meaningfully weaken those groups.

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Jul 21, 2025

NATO is unprepared for the growing threat posed by Putin’s Russia

By Elena Davlikanova, Yevhenii Malik

NATO officials believe Russia could attack the alliance within five years but NATO members are still not ready to face the threat posed by Vladimir Putin's expansionist regime, write Elena Davlikanova and Yevhenii Malik.

Conflict Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Jul 16, 2025

Five questions (and expert answers) about Israel’s strikes against Syria 

By Atlantic Council experts

Our Middle East experts explain the roots of the crisis and what it means for Syria, Israel, the Druze, and the broader region.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Jul 15, 2025

In the Indo-Pacific, US defense industrial partnerships go much deeper than AUKUS submarines

By Adam Kozloski, Markus Garlauskas

The US review of AUKUS should be understood as part of a larger US effort to accelerate defense industry cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Australia Defense Industry

Fast Thinking

Jul 14, 2025

Will Trump’s pivot on Putin change the war?

By Atlantic Council

Our experts unpack the US president’s turn toward providing military aid for Ukraine and applying economic pressure on Russia.

Conflict Defense Policy

TURKEYSource

Jul 14, 2025

To help bring lasting peace to Ukraine, Turkey should enhance its cooperation on Black Sea security

By Yevgeniya Gaber

Thinking beyond mediation, Turkey can help bring lasting peace to Ukraine and ensure stability in the Black Sea region.

Conflict Defense Policy

In the News

Jul 13, 2025

Kroenig quoted in the Wall Street Journal on potential US strategic pivot to Asia

On July 13, Matthew Kroenig, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director, was quoted in the Wall Street Journal on the suggestion by some officials within the US presidential administration that the United States should prioritize the Indo-Pacific over other regions.

China Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Jul 10, 2025

Russia accused of escalating chemical weapons attacks against Ukraine

By Katherine Spencer

Ukraine has called for an international investigation into what officials in Kyiv claim is Russia's escalating use of chemical weapons on the battlefield, writes Katherine Spencer.

Conflict Defense Policy
Republic of Korea Marines storm onto beach during a simulated amphibious assault

Issue Brief

Jul 10, 2025

South Korea is the ideal anchor for the first island chain

By Brian Kerg

The assumptions underpinning analysis and discussion of conflict in the Indo-Pacific are due for a rethink. Though many conversations about Chinese military aggression assume South Korea would not get involved, it could play a decisive role in deterring and defeating an attack on Taiwan.

China Conflict
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Experts

Fellow

LeAnne Noelani Howard

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Nathan K. Finney

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Conflict Defense Policy

Fellow

Jongsun Kim

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Owen J. Daniels

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Tom Mancinelli

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Akiko Fukushima

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy East Asia
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Events

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