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.

Belarus, Ukraine, and Vladimir Putin’s expanding imperial agenda

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
Belarus, Ukraine, and Vladimir Putin’s expanding imperial agenda

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
Belarus, Ukraine, and Vladimir Putin’s expanding imperial agenda

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

BelarusAlert

Dec 8, 2021

Belarus, Ukraine, and Vladimir Putin’s expanding imperial agenda

By Brian Whitmore

It would be a mistake to view the 16-month-old political crisis in Belarus and Russia's brinkmanship on the Ukrainian border as separate affairs. They are both part and parcel of Putin's post-Soviet imperial agenda.

Belarus Conflict

UkraineAlert

Dec 6, 2021

Guerrilla tactics offer Ukraine’s best deterrent against Putin’s invasion force

By T. X. Hammes

As Ukraine faces the prospect of a possible major escalation in the country's seven-year undeclared war with Russia, Kyiv's best chance of countering the Kremlin invasion force may be via the use of guerrilla tactics.

Conflict Defense Technologies

In the News

Dec 3, 2021

Cooper joins Brookings Institute panel on addressing extremism among veterans

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Scott Cooper joins panel on extremism among veterans

Extremism National Security

In the News

Dec 2, 2021

Greenwald discussed a national security strategy for dollar innovation for the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

By Michael Greenwald

Read the full article here

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

UkraineAlert

Dec 2, 2021

Time to stop appeasing Putin and confront Russia’s imperial ambitions

By Paul Grod

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that he will continue pursuing policies of imperial aggression against Ukraine until he is decisively confronted, argues Ukrainian World Congress President Paul Grod.

Belarus Conflict

New Atlanticist

Dec 2, 2021

Biden’s defense and security strategies need specifics

By Harlan Ullman

The aim must be to contain, prevent, and defend against massive attacks of disruption—which include the strategies of China and Russia. 

Defense Policy National Security

Future of DHS

Dec 1, 2021

Warrick in Bloomberg Government on DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Thomas Warrick comments on the importance of DHS intelligence.

Extremism Intelligence

BelarusAlert

Dec 1, 2021

Putin’s little helper: Belarus dictator opens second front against Ukraine

By Brian Whitmore

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka has declared his readiness to join Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine as Russian and Belarusian forces prepare to conduct joint military exercises along the Ukrainian border.

Belarus Conflict

Report

Nov 30, 2021

Economic statecraft: Finance and money

By Dr. Carla Norrlöf

Using economics to achieve non-economic foreign policy objectives has become a dominant strategy for great powers in the post 9/11 world. The economic statecraft kit now includes a wide range of practices such as financial sanctions, coercive policies and inducements to defensive policies.

Australia China

Strategic Insights Memo

Nov 30, 2021

After Kabul: US and allied policy options in Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council and DT Institute

On September 1, 2021, the Atlantic Council and DT Institute ran an expert-driven matrix wargame to: (1) explore major policy dilemmas on the horizon after the US-led coalition withdrawal; and (2) forecast state behavior and assess emerging risks in the wake of the crisis. This Strategic Insights Memo captures the key takeaways from that wargame and the implications for great-power competition, regional security, and humanitarian issues in South Asia and the Middle East.

Afghanistan Conflict
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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
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Events

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

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