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A plea to the Pentagon: Don’t sacrifice resilience on the altar of innovation

Mon, Sep 14, 2020

Innovation in Nuclear Energy Technologies: Implications for US National Defense

The US Department of Defense (DOD) has the potential to play a significant role bringing advanced reactor technology to demonstration and, ultimately, commercialization. Possible US military applications of advanced reactors—especially micro nuclear reactors (MNRs)—include deployment to remote bases that are challenging to supply with fuel; power systems for directed-energy weapons; and nuclear energy systems for space flight and off-world bases. This issue brief explores the challenges and opportunities inherent in DOD’s procurement of MNRs.

In-Depth Research & Reports by Dr. Robert F. Ichord, Jr. and Dr. Jennifer T. Gordon

Defense Technologies Energy & Environment
A plea to the Pentagon: Don’t sacrifice resilience on the altar of innovation

Wed, Aug 26, 2020

US needs to change the way it invests in defense if it wants to compete with rising rivals

Successive years of stagnant defense spending levels and the prospect of lasting economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic could threaten to leave the United States handicapped in its growing military competition with rising powers China and Russia

Elections 2020 by David A. Wemer

Defense Industry Defense Policy
A plea to the Pentagon: Don’t sacrifice resilience on the altar of innovation

Thu, Jun 18, 2020

An affordable defense of Asia

US military advantages over China are steadily eroding. Therefore, in this inaugural report for Forward Defense, T.X. Hammes crafts a new strategy and corresponding operational concepts which leverage geography and emerging technology to improve the US and allied warfighting posture in Asia.

Report by T.X. Hammes

China Conflict

Programs

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s
Foresight, Strategy, and Risks Initiative (FSR) provides actionable foresight and innovative strategies to a global community of policymakers, business leaders, and citizens.

EXPLORE THE Initiative

The post-COVID-19 world: GeoTech and the pandemic

Learn what the Atlantic Council GeoTech Center has done since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. View our video recaps. Read our analyses. Glean insights on how tech, data, and leadership can ensure the world gets through the pandemic and we build a better post-COVID-19 world together.

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Experts

Anika Binnendijk

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Defense Technologies Europe & Eurasia

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Joseph T. Bonivel Jr.

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

GeoTech Center

Pablo Breuer

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

GeoTech Center

Mathew Burrows

Director, Foresight, Strategy, and Risks Initiative

Non-Traditional Threats Technology & Innovation

Foresight, Strategy, and Risks Initiative New American Engagement Initiative

Trent Teyema

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Crisis Management Cybersecurity

GeoTech Center

Rose Butchart

Senior Advisor, National Security Initiatives

Cybersecurity Defense Industry

GeoTech Center

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Content

Tue, May 4, 2021

A plea to the Pentagon: Don’t sacrifice resilience on the altar of innovation

US defense systems are vulnerable because they are brittle and unmaintained, and thus not resilient. Fixing it will require a new approach to acquisition.

New Atlanticist by JC Herz

Cybersecurity Defense Industry

Wed, Apr 28, 2021

Akhtar joins Strategic Vision Institute to discuss South Asian nuclear history

In the News by Atlantic Council

Defense Technologies Indo-Pacific

Wed, Apr 28, 2021

Nurkin in Defense News on future US space capabilities

Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Tate Nurkin published an article in DefenseNews titled "What focus areas are key to America's future space capabilities?"

In the News by Atlantic Council

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

Mon, Apr 19, 2021

An EAR-evolution? What Commerce’s military intelligence end-user rule may foretell

Export controls have become an increasingly prominent tool in the US' foreign policy. However, a new rule that restricts the activities of US persons may foretell a shift in tactics.

Blog Post by Annie Froehlich

Arms Control China

Wed, Apr 14, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in New York Times on US arms sales to UAE and KSA

In the News

Defense Technologies Middle East
Cover credit: Helen Lundeberg, “The Veil,” 1947, The Macfarlane Collection

Sun, Apr 11, 2021

The future of security in space: A thirty-year US strategy

Outer space is rapidly transforming as new actors test new limits. This Atlantic Council Strategy Paper calls for the United States and its allies and partners to secure space over the next three decades or risk wasting the promise of this emerging domain.

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series by Clementine G. Starling, Mark J. Massa, Lt Col Christopher P. Mulder, and Julia T. Siegel

China Cybersecurity

Fri, Apr 2, 2021

Digitalize the enterprise: NATO 20/2020 podcast

If NATO is to unlock new frontiers of innovation and harness emerging technology, digitalizing how it does business is the key.

NATO 20/2020 by Barry Pavel, Jeffrey Lightfoot

Defense Technologies Digital Policy

Wed, Mar 31, 2021

Nurkin’s Deftech Scan report in Armasuisse

On April 12, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Tate Nurkin published the latest issue of Deftech Scan.

In the News by Atlantic Council

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Mon, Mar 29, 2021

The downsides of downsizing: Why the United States needs four hundred ICBMs

The United States is at a nuclear modernization crossroads. Critics of the land leg of the nuclear triad believe that an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force of 300 missiles will be cheaper and more stable than a force of 400. This issue brief shows that 400 ICBMs support the goals of US nuclear deterrence and are affordable.

Issue Brief by Matthew Kroenig, Mark J. Massa, Christian Trotti

China Defense Policy

Mon, Mar 29, 2021

Supply chains and semiconductors: The need for US diplomacy

Any effort to revitalize the US’s to domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity would be incomplete without diplomacy. US allies such as Taiwan and South Korea remain global leaders in semiconductor manufacturing. If the U.S. wants to rejoin them, the Biden administration should deepen investment ties with Taiwan and South Korea and find ways to bring them closer to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.

Blog Post by Jeremy Mark

China Defense Technologies
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Events

Fri, May 14, 2021

Transforming the British Army: A conversation with General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith

Online Event General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, discusses global security trends and challenges, and how the British Army is transforming for the future.

9:00am Defense Policy Defense Technologies Security & Defense United Kingdom

Mon, May 10, 2021

Advancing Army priorities for the future of warfare: A conversation with the Acting Secretary and the Chief of Staff of the Army

Online Event Acting Secretary of the Army HON John E. Whitley and Chief of Staff of the Army GEN James C. McConville discuss the US Army’s priorities and posture in light of emerging security threats and a potentially difficult budget as a part of Forward Defense's Commanders Series events.

1:00pm Defense Policy Defense Technologies Missile Defense National Security

Photo: US Army Flickr