Intelligence

Intelligence

National security and defense often require the collection of a vast amount of data and knowledge that can be used by policy makers to make political and military decisions to defend the national interest. Whether through open source or covert means, the acquisition of intelligence is a vital tool for effective national defense.

Content

UkraineAlert

Apr 9, 2026

Ukraine is winning the drone war with strike campaign behind Russian lines

By Mykola Bielieskov

Ukraine has regained the initiative from Russia in the world's first full-scale drone war by launching a campaign of mid-range drone strikes aimed at undermining the logistics supporting Putin's invasion, writes Mykola Bielieskov.

Conflict Defense Industry

Dispatches

Mar 31, 2026

By alienating its intelligence partners, the US risks losing more than trust

By Tressa Guenov

Taking actions that erode its intelligence partners’ trust threatens to put the United States at a strategic disadvantage against its adversaries.

Europe & Eurasia Indo-Pacific

Dispatches

Mar 6, 2026

How would a Kurdish offensive change the war in Iran?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts explain the goals of the various Kurdish groups the United States is reportedly backing for an attack against Iran and how their involvement could impact the wider war.

Conflict Defense Policy

MENASource

Feb 3, 2026

Why the Muslim Brotherhood is staying calm amid crackdowns in Jordan

By Aaron Magid

Despite widespread popularity, the Islamist faction did not organize large-scale protests, lowered its media profile, and avoided attacks.

Extremism Intelligence

In the News

Oct 10, 2025

Yevgeniya Gaber joins Defense News to discuss Ukraine’s defense cooperation and knowledge transfer to European countries in developing counter-UAV capabilities
Conflict Defense Industry

In the News

Aug 7, 2025

Ackerman publishes article, “How Being an Intelligence Officer Made Me a Better Writer” on The Free Press

By Atlantic Council

On August 4, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Elliot Ackerman published an article entitled, "How Being an Intelligence Officer Made Me a Better Writer," with The Free Press.

Intelligence National Security

Issue Brief

Aug 6, 2025

How the US and Colombia can tackle crime, migration, and fallout from Venezuela’s crisis

By Lucie Kneip, Geoff Ramsey

Despite differences in priorities and political approaches, opportunities exist for the US and Colombia to coordinate policy that promotes stability in Venezuela and the broader region.

Colombia Corruption

New Atlanticist

Jun 14, 2025

By fusing intelligence and special operations, Israel’s strikes on Iran are a lesson in strategic surprise

By Doug Livermore

Operation Rising Lion offers critical lessons for Western military planners facing similar challenges against peer competitors.

Intelligence Iran

In the News

May 27, 2025

Eftimiades interviewed by NTD on Chinese espionage

By Atlantic Council

On May 20, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Nicholas Eftimiades was interviewed by NTS News, in a segment entitled, “Former Intelligence Officer: China Leverages Entire Society for Intel.” With Tiffany Meier, Eftimiades discusses the Chinese Communist Party’s espionage strategy, pulling insights from his book, Chinese Intelligence Operations and Tactics.

China Defense Policy

In the News

May 20, 2025

Cole speaks about the role of fiction and narrative in current affairs on the Marine Corps Association Scuttlebutt podcast

On May 15, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow August Cole was a featured guest on the Marine Corps Association podcast Scuttlebutt. In this episode, titled “Useful Fiction With August Cole From Modern Day Marine,” Cole discusses how asymmetric forces like fiction and narrative have an outsized impact on today’s battlefield.

Defense Policy Intelligence
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Experts

Fellow

Jongsun Kim

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy
Josh Kirshner is a nonresident senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

Fellow

Josh Kirshner

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Arms Control Defense Policy

Fellow

Mark Klamberg

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English European Union

Staff

Andrew L. Peek

Director

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Europe & Eurasia Intelligence

Staff

Kitsch Liao

Associate Director

Global China Hub

China Security & Defense

Fellow

Catherine Lin

Visiting Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

East Asia Indo-Pacific
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