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.

America is not ready for the drone threat

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

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

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

Dispatches

Sep 23, 2026

America is not ready for the drone threat

By Bilal Saab

Counter-drone technology is not enough to address the threat to US critical infrastructure.

Drones Security & Defense

UkraineAlert

Sep 22, 2026

Ukrainians are braced for a brutal winter. Are the Russians also ready?

By Peter Dickinson

With Ukraine's air defenses running low, Russia is expected to escalate the bombardment of Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure ahead of the coming winter season in a bid to freeze the country into submission, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Technologies

Podcast

Sep 22, 2026

Strait talk: Yemen, mercenaries and the Iran war

By Alia Brahimi

In this first video episode of the podcast, Alia is joined by Ibrahim Jalal, an expert on Yemen and the Gulf. Ibrahim describes the major military escalation unfolding along the Red Sea coast and the tactics used by the Houthis.

Maritime Security Middle East

Dispatches

Sep 21, 2026

What to expect at the Trump-Xi summit in Washington

By Melanie Hart

The success of the meeting will likely hinge on just a few important issues, including artificial intelligence safety, Taiwan, and trade.

China Critical Minerals

MENASource

Sep 21, 2026

The Syria policy the US got wrong—and the bittersweet moment Washington finally got right

By Wa’el Alzayat

A former State Department official dissects how the US helped defeat ISIS but didn't protect the Syrian people.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

MENASource

Sep 21, 2026

Don’t talk about optimism in Syria, talk about action

By Arwa Damon

It’s been twenty months since Bashar al-Assad’s fall. People expect more, and patience is wearing thin.

Democratic Transitions Inclusive Growth

In the News

Sep 20, 2026

In Amwaj media, Matthew Bryza comments on the Mecca Agreement and the question of it extending to the South Caucuses

Security & Defense The Caucasus

Fast Thinking

Sep 19, 2026

What the Greenland deal means for the transatlantic alliance

By Atlantic Council

Our experts unpack what we know and what to expect from the announced security deal involving the US, Denmark, and Greenland.

Greenland Northern Europe

UkraineAlert

Sep 17, 2026

Ukraine can do more to counter Russia’s illicit finance threat

By Matthew McGlynn

For more than four years, Ukraine has impressed global audiences with the country’s ability to defend itself against Russia on land, at sea, and in the air. Illicit finance is another important front in the fight against Russian aggression, writes Matthew McGlynn.

Conflict Cybersecurity

UkraineAlert

Sep 17, 2026

Putin is escalating against NATO but a Baltic incursion remains unlikely

By James Rice

The recent escalation in Russian gray zone aggression across Europe has sparked a lively debate over how far the Kremlin may be prepared to go, but a Russian attack on the Baltic states remains unlikely, writes James Rice.

Conflict European Union

Experts

Fellow

Nasredeen Abdulbari

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Project for Middle East Integration

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Arabic

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

Events

Public Event Fri, September 25, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

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Fast Thinking

Dispatches

Inflection Points

UkraineAlert

MENASource

Econographics

Security & Defense

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

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

AI and autonomy in contested operations

Programs

Content

America is not ready for the drone threat

Ukrainians are braced for a brutal winter. Are the Russians also ready?

Strait talk: Yemen, mercenaries and the Iran war

What to expect at the Trump-Xi summit in Washington

The Syria policy the US got wrong—and the bittersweet moment Washington finally got right

Don’t talk about optimism in Syria, talk about action

In Amwaj media, Matthew Bryza comments on the Mecca Agreement and the question of it extending to the South Caucuses

What the Greenland deal means for the transatlantic alliance

Ukraine can do more to counter Russia’s illicit finance threat

Putin is escalating against NATO but a Baltic incursion remains unlikely

Experts

Nasredeen Abdulbari

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Ahmed Aboudouh

Elliot Ackerman

Nic Adams

Paul Adamson

Events

From NATO’s frontline to the keystone state: Lithuania and Pennsylvania’s ties

A first island chain deterrence strategy: A cross-strait and beyond seminar

Is Vladimir Putin’s regime cracking?

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