Defense Technologies

Defense Technologies

The groundbreaking technologies that are beginning to remake the business, culture, and lifestyle of so many civilians also present challenges to national security establishments. Artificial Intelligence (AI), directed energy, autonomous weapons, advanced robotics, 5G networks, additive manufacturing, quantum computing, and bio-/neurotechnology are only a few among the many cutting-edge technologies which the United States and its adversaries are preparing to militarize.

Fighting a land war in the digital age: How armies must reinvent themselves—or be destroyed by those that do

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
Fighting a land war in the digital age: How armies must reinvent themselves—or be destroyed by those that do

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
Fighting a land war in the digital age: How armies must reinvent themselves—or be destroyed by those that do

UkraineAlert Oct 8, 2024

The West must learn defense tech lessons on the Ukrainian battlefield

By Edward Verona

The Russia-Ukraine War is the most technologically advanced war in history but Western military strategists and weapons developers risk missing out on key lessons due to excessive caution, writes Edward Verona.
Conflict Defense Industry

Content

Report

Jul 1, 2026

Fighting a land war in the digital age: How armies must reinvent themselves—or be destroyed by those that do

By Yavuz Türkgenci

Armies that fight the next war with last century's doctrine will lose it. AI targeting, drone swarms, and algorithmic command have already arrived on the battlefield.

Conflict Defense Industry

Report

Jul 1, 2026

From cloud to kill zone: How Ukraine rewired naval warfare for the age of algorithmic warfare

By Can Kasapoğlu

Ukraine's Black Sea naval drone campaign shows how AI, cloud tech, and autonomous systems are rewriting the rules of modern maritime warfare.

Defense Technologies Maritime Security

UkraineAlert

Jun 30, 2026

Ukraine’s blockade of Crimea puts Putin’s greatest victory under threat

By Peter Dickinson

Crimea has long been seen as Vladimir Putin’s greatest victory, but Ukraine's drone blockade is now turning the Russian-occupied peninsula into an embarrassing symbol of imperial overreach, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Technologies

Event Recap

Jun 26, 2026

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte: Expect deals in Ankara, plus a sharp message to Moscow

By Katherine Golden

Rutte spoke at an Atlantic Council Front Page event, arguing that the Ankara summit could wind up “even more important” than last year’s in The Hague.

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

UkraineAlert

Jun 25, 2026

The West can learn from Ukraine’s AI future vision beyond the battlefield

By Andrew D’Anieri

The US and Europe are already looking to Ukraine for the next generation of defense technologies. As Western countries debate their own AI strategies, they would likewise do well to examine Ukraine as a similar starting point for further innovation, writes Andrew D’Anieri.

Artificial Intelligence Conflict

UkraineAlert

Jun 23, 2026

Putin vowed to demilitarize Ukraine. Instead, he created a major military power.

By Peter Dickinson

When Putin launched the full-scale invasion in 2022, he identified the “demilitarization” of Ukraine as one his two primary war aims. It is now clear that he has failed in the most spectacular fashion imaginable, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Jun 23, 2026

Ukraine tightens drone blockade of Russian-occupied Crimea

By Maksym Beznosiuk, William Dixon

Ukraine is currently conducting a mid-range drone strike campaign aiming to cut access to Russian-occupied Crimea and place the Black Sea peninsula under a logistics lockdown, write Maksym Beznosiuk and William Dixon.

Conflict Defense Technologies

UkraineAlert

Jun 23, 2026

Russia intensifies shadow war to undermine support for Ukraine

By Zahar Hryniv

Russia is waging an escalating shadow war against the West as the Kremlin attempts to intimidate Europe and deter further support for Ukraine, writes Zahar Hryniv.

Conflict Cybersecurity

UkraineAlert

Jun 18, 2026

Ukrainian drones are cutting Russian logistics and reshaping the battlefield

By David Kirichenko

In recent months, Ukraine has dramatically expanded the use of mid-range drones to disrupt Russian logistics behind the front lines and shape the battlefield for future offensive operations, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Jun 11, 2026

Putin can no longer shield ordinary Russians from the war he unleashed

By Maksym Beznosiuk, William Dixon

Ukraine’s recent drone strikes on St. Petersburg provided arguably the most visible indication to date that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion is not going according to plan, write Maksym Beznosiuk and William Dixon.

Conflict Defense Technologies
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Experts

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Robert Bassett Cross MC

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Joseph T. Bonivel Jr.

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

Fellow

Mark Brunner

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Debra Cagan

Senior Advisor, Eurasia Center

Eurasia Center

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

Fellow

Deborah Cheverton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Industry
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