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 crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is a heavy blow to the deteriorating maritime order

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 crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is a heavy blow to the deteriorating maritime order

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 crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is a heavy blow to the deteriorating maritime order

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

Issue Brief

Jul 31, 2026

The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is a heavy blow to the deteriorating maritime order

By Elisabeth Braw

Iran’s use of a maritime chokepoint as a geopolitical tool—implemented in response to a war that violates the United Nations Charter—and the United States’ inconsistent response dramatically undermine the global maritime order and open the door for further such closures.

Economy & Business Geopolitics & Energy Security

Dispatches

Jul 29, 2026

How Oman and Europe can open the Strait of Hormuz for good

By Jonathan Panikoff

Muscat should ask the British- and French-led maritime security mission to deploy to the strait within Omani territorial waters.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

Dispatches

Jul 20, 2026

The Houthis just announced a blockade on Saudi Arabia. What does it mean for the global economy?

By Allison Minor

Three factors will determine how disruptive the new Houthi campaign will be to global oil markets and Gulf economic stability.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jul 14, 2026

Wechsler joins CNN to discuss the latest US strikes against Iran

By Atlantic Council

Iran Maritime Security

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Jul 8, 2026

Braw in Foreign Policy on European response to Russia’s shadow fleet

By Elisabeth Braw

On July 8, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw published an article in Foreign Policy discussing how European governments need to respond to Russia arming its shadow fleet.

Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security

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 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

Dispatches

Jun 22, 2026

The Ankara summit is an opportunity for NATO to ramp up engagement with its southern neighborhood

By Jason Davidson, Matt Trunkey

The Alliance can use the upcoming summit in Turkey to advance four policies that will help it increase its security along its south.

Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security

Dispatches

Jun 22, 2026

Experts react: What a President Abelardo de la Espriella means for Colombia and beyond

By Atlantic Council experts

The right-wing candidate has emerged as the winner of Colombia’s runoff election for president, marking an important break with the outgoing administration.

Colombia Elections

Dispatches

Jun 17, 2026

NATO’s southern flank is exposed. Portugal can help fortify it.

By Randi Charno Levine

The Alliance was not designed to focus only on its easter flank. Vulnerabilities to NATO’s south are accumulating faster than strategy is adapting.

Maritime Security NATO
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Experts

Fellow

John B. Barranco

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Americas Iraq

Fellow

Julie Chung

Distinguished Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

China Crisis Management

Fellow

Gavin Clough

2023-24 Senior US Navy Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Eastern Europe
Peter Gautier is a nonresident senior fellow at the Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative.

Fellow

Peter Gautier

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Crisis Management Critical Infrastructure Policy

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
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Events

Public Event Tue, August 4, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

What is driving Ukraine’s momentum in the war?
Conflict Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies