Maritime Security

Maritime Security

Seaborne commerce and freedom of navigation are inextricably intertwined, with both contributing to the success and prosperity of the liberal world order. But maritime security is under threat both from great-power competitors and from non-state actors. Policy makers must come up with new solutions to resolve threats to maritime security and to secure a free and open maritime system in cooperation with allies and partners.

The Strait of Hormuz is ‘open,’ but the US blockade remains in place. Here’s what that means.

TURKEYSource Nov 13, 2024

Quiet before the storm: Is a new maritime security order taking shape in the Black Sea region?

By Serhat Güvenç

While Turkey and Europe have their own maritime strategies for the Black Sea, finding ways of cooperation is critical to counter Russia’s maritime power.
Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia
The Strait of Hormuz is ‘open,’ but the US blockade remains in place. Here’s what that means.

New Atlanticist Oct 24, 2024

Dispatch from Taiwan: China’s military drills look more frightening outside of Taiwan than from inside

By Brian Kerg

The US and its allies took note when China launched large military exercises around Taiwan just after October 10. But it’s also important to pay attention to how Taiwanese reacted to Beijing’s saber-rattling.
China East Asia
The Strait of Hormuz is ‘open,’ but the US blockade remains in place. Here’s what that means.

New Atlanticist Oct 15, 2024

How the US and the Philippines should counter Beijing’s aggression in the South China Sea

By Elizabeth Freund Larus and James Rice

Washington, Manila, and their Indo-Pacific allies must work together to counter China’s maritime aggression in Philippine waters.
China Indo-Pacific

Content

Dispatches

Apr 17, 2026

The Strait of Hormuz is ‘open,’ but the US blockade remains in place. Here’s what that means.

By Theresa Luetkefend, Joe Costa

How long can the US military sustain a naval blockade against Iran? What are the risks? Atlantic Council experts answer these and other pressing questions.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Apr 15, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on CNN on the blockade of the Straight of Hormuz

By Atlantic Council

On April 14, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on CNN about the US blockade of the Straight of Hormuz and its strategic significance.

Iran Maritime Security

Dispatches

Apr 14, 2026

What the Taiwanese opposition leader’s recent China visit means for Taipei, Beijing, and Washington

By Wen-Ti Sung

Cheng Li-wun recently visited Beijing and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the first time a Kuomintang chair has traveled to China in a decade.

China Maritime Security

In the News

Apr 14, 2026

Kroenig quoted in The Wall Street Journal on the US blockade of Hormuz

By Atlantic Council

On April 13, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in The Wall Street Journal on the US blockade of the Straight of Hormuz, arguing that the Trump administration is escalating pressure on the Iranian regime.

Iran Maritime Security

In the News

Apr 13, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on NPR on Iran’s state-sponsored piracy

By Atlantic Council

On April 11, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on NPR on Iran's state-sponsored piracy in the Straight of Hormuz.

Iran Maritime Security

UkraineAlert

Apr 1, 2026

Ukraine’s military success is exposing the myth of inevitable Russian victory

By Kateryna Odarchenko

The Kremlin is promoting the idea of inevitable Russian victory in Ukraine as part of efforts to deter further support for Kyiv, but this narrative is being undermined by mounting Ukrainian military successes, writes Kateryna Odarchenko.

Conflict Disinformation

In the News

Mar 18, 2026

Charai for The National Interest: Why Iran Was Always a Threat to the US

By Atlantic Council

Iran Maritime Security

Dispatches

Mar 18, 2026

Europe should help in the Gulf to serve its own interests, regardless of Trump’s demands

By Daniel Fried, Jörn Fleck

European leaders have plenty of reasons to engage constructively with the United States and partners in the Middle East.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

Inflection Points

Mar 18, 2026

Now that the Iran war is here, the US must complete its mission

By Frederick Kempe

The US-Israeli operation in Iran is a historic opportunity to neutralize the Middle East’s greatest destabilizer over the past four decades.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Mar 16, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on CNN on US action in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On March 13, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on CNN on US action in Iran, arguing that President Trump is weakening the axis of aggressors and has clear strategic vision.

Iran Maritime Security
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Experts

Fellow

John B. Barranco

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Americas Iraq

Fellow

Gavin Clough

2023-24 Senior US Navy Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Eastern Europe

Fellow

Thayz Guimarães

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

Americas Brazil

Fellow

Brian Kerg

Nonresident Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Conflict East Asia

Fellow

Sarah Kirchberger

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Industry

Fellow

Narushige Michishita

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Crisis Management Defense Policy
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