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.

Facing the threat of US strikes, Maduro has requested Russia’s help. He shouldn’t expect much.

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
Facing the threat of US strikes, Maduro has requested Russia’s help. He shouldn’t expect much.

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
Facing the threat of US strikes, Maduro has requested Russia’s help. He shouldn’t expect much.

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

New Atlanticist

Nov 4, 2025

Facing the threat of US strikes, Maduro has requested Russia’s help. He shouldn’t expect much.

By Imran Bayoumi, Shelby Magid

Focused on its war against Ukraine and struggling with the effects of Western sanctions, the Kremlin is unlikely to provide significant assistance to the Maduro regime.

Conflict Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Issue Brief

Nov 4, 2025

A next-generation agenda: South Korea-US-Australia security cooperation

By Lauren D. Gilbert, Kester Abbott, Hannah Heewon Seo

Growing collaboration and cooperation between the United States, South Korea, and Australia could be key to maintaining security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The Atlantic Council and the Korea Foundation gathered rising experts from the United States, South Korea, and Australia to identify obstacles to that cooperation and opportunities to overcome them.

Australia Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2025

Three ways the US can build a more lethal fighting force in the Arctic

By Charlotte Bertrand

As the Pentagon looks to shift its focus to the Western Hemisphere, the United States must not neglect the Arctic region.

Maritime Security NATO

MENASource

Oct 16, 2025

After the Gaza cease-fire, what’s next for the Houthis?

By Osamah Al Rawhani

Will the Houthis cease their regional hostilities? The brief response is yes—but likely, only for the time being.

Maritime Security Middle East

In the News

Oct 14, 2025

Rudolph argues for shipbuilding in the Great Lakes Region in the National Interest

On October 13, Abigail Rudolph published an article in the National Interest entitled, “How Shipbuilding Can Revive the US Heartland.” Rudolph explores the potential for shipbuilding in the Great Lakes region, leveraging existing manufacturing infrastructure, a skilled labor force, and strategic geographic advantages. She highlights the dual significance of shipbuilding in the region, meeting a […]

Defense Industry Maritime Security

MENASource

Oct 6, 2025

Can Iraq and Kuwait transform the Khor Abdullah waterway dispute into a regional diplomacy model?

By Rami Alkhafaji and Safwan Al-Amin

The dispute underscores the complexities of post-conflict border demarcation— and how legal disputes may multiply into geopolitical ones.

Iraq Maritime Security

Issue Brief

Sep 30, 2025

As Europe’s neutral states shift closer to NATO, Ireland approaches a turning point for its security

By Maeve Drury and Jason C. Moyer

Ireland spends the least of any EU country on defense. Taoiseach Micheál Martin wants to change that. With military neutrality deeply rooted in the country's history of violent civil conflict, what will re-armament take?

Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security

New Atlanticist

Sep 12, 2025

Was Trump’s strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat legal?

By Celeste Kmiotek

It’s worth looking in detail at where the US strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel on September 2 sits in relation to international law.

Maritime Security Rule of Law

Issue Brief

Sep 11, 2025

Private industry should step up to protect the global maritime order

By Elisabeth Braw

Who should protect the global maritime order? While a growing number of countries have begun to violate maritime rules, the maritime sector has the opportunity, and an obligation, to help prevent further deterioration of the rules that underpin safe commerce and safe passage on the seas.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2025

Why the Pentagon had been reluctant to combat narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere

By Kevin Whitaker

The recent US strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel is a reminder that the US military had for years resisted getting more deeply involved in counternarcotics.

Latin America 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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