Security & Defense

Security & Defense

One of the most fundamental responsibilities of governments is to protect their citizens from all threats, internal or foreign. Policy makers must prepare for potential conventional warfare, terrorism and other asymmetrical attacks, and the repercussions of natural disasters and climate change to ensure the safety of their citizens. The motivation to protect against future threats must also be partnered with regular dialogue and partnership with allies and neighbors to prevent the triggering of violent conflict or destabilizing arms races.

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Trump will define his legacy through Russia—one way or the other

Report Sep 8, 2026

Preparing for and countering limited nuclear attacks in East Asia: Guardian Tiger III

By Markus Garlauskas with John Park and Kyoko Imai. Contributors: Andrew Brown and Jonathan Corrado

The risk of North Korea launching a limited nuclear attack will likely increase over the coming decade. The United States and its allies are not preparing adequately to deter and prevail in the face of such nuclear strikes.
Indo-Pacific Korea
Trump will define his legacy through Russia—one way or the other

Dispatches Sep 1, 2026

Where and how Putin could expand his war in Europe beyond Ukraine

By Atlantic Council experts

The CIA director’s recent unannounced visit to Moscow has raised speculation about Russian plans to escalate attacks.
Conflict Eastern Europe
Trump will define his legacy through Russia—one way or the other

Report Aug 27, 2026

AI and autonomy in contested operations

By Owen J. Daniels

Any potential major conflict the United States engages in will be shaped by AI and autonomous systems. US forces should expect their systems to operate in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) conditions imposed by jamming techniques, cyber-attacks, and anti-satellite capabilities designed to sever the connectivity and wreak havoc on military operations.
Artificial Intelligence Defense Policy

Programs

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and the world.

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Content

Inflection Points

Oct 22, 2026

Trump will define his legacy through Russia—one way or the other

By Frederick Kempe

The US president inherited Russia’s war on Ukraine, but he will own the consequences of how it ends.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

UkraineAlert

Oct 21, 2026

Ukrainians are not fighting for Zelenskyy. They are fighting for national survival.

By Peter Dickinson

Trump and Putin both seem to think that removing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would set the stage for a Kremlin-friendly peace deal, but most Ukrainians see the war as a fight for national survival that does not depend on any one man, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Education

The Big Story

Oct 21, 2026

The new Middle East is modular

By Jonathan Panikoff

In the Middle East today, states are aligning issue by issue, not choosing sides. They cooperate in one area and compete in the next. This modular alignment is shaping the region, even as it manages the shocks of war and energy-market volatility.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Middle East

MENASource

Oct 21, 2026

The withdrawal of the US-led coalition is a loss for Iraq’s sovereignty

By Yerevan Saeed

The government secured the withdrawal of foreign partners before securing obedience from armed factions. That leaves Baghdad with less leverage against Iran’s allies in Iraq.

Iraq Security & Defense

Dispatches

Oct 21, 2026

Washington should stop expecting the Gulf to speak with one voice

By Joze Pelayo

Gulf states are emerging from the Iran war with different conclusions about how to protect themselves and deal with Tehran.

Energy & Environment Iran

UkraineAlert

Oct 21, 2026

Moldova’s fight against Kremlin interference faces Gagauzia election test

By Laurențiu Pleșca, Will Kingston-Cox

Moldova’s democratic resilience faces a revealing litmus test on November 15, when autonomous Gagauzia elects a new governor and People’s Assembly amid concerns over Kremlin interference, write Laurențiu Pleșca and Will Kingston-Cox.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Oct 21, 2026

Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians may have a domestic dimension

By Syrus Solo Jin, Anton Ponomarenko

Russia's escalating bombing campaign against civilian targets across Ukraine aims to make much of the country unlivable while also serving a propaganda purpose for the Kremlin on the home front, write Syrus Solo Jin and Anton Ponomarenko.

Conflict Disinformation

Report

Oct 20, 2026

The European Union as a compound power in Cold War 2.0

By Piotr Arak and Velina Tchakarova

Contrary to the prevailing narrative, the European Union has the economic power and strategic vision to act as a credible major power. Willingness to act is the missing piece.

Defense Industry Energy Transitions

Dispatches

Oct 16, 2026

What Ukraine’s Starlink disruptions reveal about the tradeoffs involved in military commercial dependencies

By Joshua VerGow

Militaries need to understand the consequences of losing access to capabilities that have become essential to mission execution.

Defense Technologies Russia

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Oct 16, 2026

Braw on Bloomberg Television on Trump not ruling out ‘mother of all bombs’ on Iran

By Elisabeth Braw

On October 16, Elisabeth Braw was interviewed on Bloomberg Television to discuss Trump weighing the use of the ‘mother of all bombs’ in future Iran air strikes.

Middle East Security & Defense
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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

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

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

Arabic China

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Nic Adams

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment Middle East

Fellow

Paul Adamson

Senior Advisor

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Anca Agachi

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Africa Conflict
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Events

Online Event Thu, October 29, 2026 • 8:00 am ET

Building collective cognitive resilience: A cross-strait and beyond seminar
Artificial Intelligence Disinformation Indo-Pacific Japan
Public Event Fri, October 30, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

General Dagvin R. M. Anderson on US strategy and security in Africa
Africa Defense Policy Security & Defense
Online Event Tue, November 10, 2026 • 3:00 pm ET

Elisabeth Braw on “Undersea War” and the battle over cables and pipelines
Europe Maritime Security Security & Defense