National Security

National Security

One of the primary functions of government is to ensure its citizens remain safe from external and internal threats. From conventional military strikes to terrorist attacks, governments must have the policies in place to protect their countries and ensure stability. These include robust intelligence gathering, deep relationships with international allies and partners, and strong defense and military institutions.

Pavia and Pelayo in Al Arabiya: Colombia is tackling the threat of Hezbollah in South America

New Atlanticist Nov 13, 2024

The threat from wildfires is growing. The US needs a unified response.

By Dan Hart

Congress should create a modern, centralized wildfire intelligence system that can serve firefighters nationwide.
National Security United States and Canada
Pavia and Pelayo in Al Arabiya: Colombia is tackling the threat of Hezbollah in South America

Future of DHS Sep 26, 2024

The Secret Service needs a budget increase—but so does the rest of the Department of Homeland Security

By Thomas S. Warrick

On Wednesday, Congress passed a bill to increase Secret Service funding in response to threats, after two assassination attempts against Donald Trump. The same logic should apply to the overall DHS budget.
Migration National Security
Pavia and Pelayo in Al Arabiya: Colombia is tackling the threat of Hezbollah in South America

New Atlanticist Sep 25, 2024

What the next administration should do to ensure US economic and national security

By Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze

The next administration must protect sensitive US technology, drive the energy transition, and safeguard the global financial system.
China Economy & Business

Content

In the News

Feb 10, 2022

Pavia and Pelayo in Al Arabiya: Colombia is tackling the threat of Hezbollah in South America

By Atlantic Council

Colombia Conflict

In the News

Feb 9, 2022

Nurkin in Breaking Defense on failure tolerance in hypersonic development

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Tate Nurkin writes in Breaking Defense on success and risk tolerance in hypersonics.

China Defense Industry

BelarusAlert

Feb 9, 2022

Soviet Reunion: Belarus, Ukraine and Vladimir Putin’s dreams of empire

By Brian Whitmore

Ukraine and Belarus are the first targets in Putin's quest to revive the old empire. While the world watches Russia's brinkmanship against Ukraine, Moscow is swiftly and quietly completing the takeover of Belarus.

Belarus Conflict

UkraineAlert

Feb 8, 2022

Ukraine prepares to unplug from Russian electricity amid invasion fears

By Aura Sabadus

Amid mounting fears of a full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine remains determined to proceed with a planned trial disconnection from the Russian electricity grid in order to progress towards European energy integration.

Conflict Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Feb 8, 2022

Warrick in AP, CNN, and Bloomberg Government, on the latest DHS bulletin

By Atlantic Council

Thomas Warrick comments on the latest DHS bulletin around Russian disinformation tactics.

Intelligence National Security

BelarusAlert

Feb 7, 2022

Belarus emerges as key front in Putin’s war against Ukraine and the West

By Oleksiy Goncharenko

With tens of thousands of Russian troops currently deployed in Belarus, fears are mounting that the country could serve as a springboard for Vladimir Putin’s threatened full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Belarus Civil Society

In the News

Feb 7, 2022

Polymeropoulos in the Washington Examiner on planning for Russian micsonduct in Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Marc Polymeropoulos writes in the Washington Examiner on anticipating and adapting to Russian actions in Ukraine.

Defense Policy Intelligence

UkraineAlert

Feb 3, 2022

Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine playbook echoes the traditional tactics of Russian imperialism

By Łukasz Adamski

Putin's hybrid war against Ukraine has been portrayed as innovative but Moscow’s approach also echoes more traditional tactics from the golden age of Russian imperialism and the era of Soviet expansionism.

Conflict Disinformation

In the News

Feb 1, 2022

Wechsler quoted in Spiegel on Putin’s military campaigns in Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

Event Recap

Jan 31, 2022

Future of DHS Project identifies the challenges and opportunities to using biometrics at US borders

By Madison Littlepage

The Atlantic Council's Forward Defense practice explores the potential value for incorporating advanced biometric systems at US points of entry.

Defense Technologies Migration
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Middle East National Security

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Anca Agachi

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Africa Conflict

Fellow

Alexander Alden

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy English

Fellow

Ahmed F. Alkhatib

Resident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Michael Allen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Cybersecurity
Load More

Events

Public Event Thu, June 4, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

From the ground up: Federated biodefense
Crisis Management Infrastructure Protection Intelligence National Security