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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Hungarian election could have implications for EU, US, Russia, and Ukraine

MENASource Aug 25, 2024

After a failed attack, Hezbollah’s propaganda seeks to prevent a wider war with Israel

By David Daoud

Committed as Hezbollah is to saving its Gaza-based allies, the group does not currently want a full war with Israel.
Conflict Israel
Hungarian election could have implications for EU, US, Russia, and Ukraine

New Atlanticist Aug 21, 2024

How quickly can Taiwan integrate US weapon systems? Speed is essential to help deter China.

By Adam Kozloski

To better prepare Taiwan to defend itself, the United States needs more transparency into Taipei’s weapons integration challenges.
Conflict Defense Policy
Hungarian election could have implications for EU, US, Russia, and Ukraine

UkraineAlert Aug 21, 2024

Invasion? What invasion? Putin is downplaying Ukraine’s Kursk offensive

By Peter Dickinson

Vladimir Putin’s efforts to downplay Ukraine’s invasion of Russia have severely dented his strongman image and make a mockery of the West’s escalation fears, writes Peter Dickinson.
Conflict 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

UkraineAlert

Apr 7, 2026

Hungarian election could have implications for EU, US, Russia, and Ukraine

By Marc Goedemans

The Hungarian parliamentary elections on April 12 are being billed as the most important in the country’s modern history. With Hungary a key focus in the escalating confrontation between Russia and the West, this weekend’s vote could also have geopolitical implications that will be felt in Kyiv, Moscow, Brussels, and Washington. Current Hungarian Prime Minister […]

Civil Society Conflict

Issue Brief

Apr 7, 2026

Fusion on paper or in practice? Making the cloud work for ISR and NATO

By Martin Zuber, Trey Herr

NATO’s eastern flank is under persistent pressure across multiple domains. The Alliance's core challenge is not sensing capacity

Defense Technologies NATO

AfricaSource

Apr 7, 2026

How a deeper US-Burundi partnership could unlock mineral and security gains

By Maureen Farrell, Rose Keravuori

Fraught with fragility yet rich in critical minerals and peacekeeping expertise, Burundi offers the United States a chance to diversify supply chains and strengthen regional security.

Critical Minerals East Africa

In the News

Apr 6, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Post: Trump and the end of Tehran’s illusion

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Apr 6, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: The Iran War’s First Lesson: American Leadership, Israeli Resolve

By Atlantic Council

Iran Israel

Dispatches

Apr 3, 2026

Attacking Iran’s energy and water infrastructure is not a winning strategy

By Thomas S. Warrick

The Iranian regime uses a peculiar sense of symmetry in how it conducts military campaigns that cuts against the proposed US plan.

Conflict Iran

UkraineAlert

Apr 2, 2026

Ukraine’s heating system resilience offers lessons for European neighbors

By Miro Sedlák

Russia's bombardment of Ukraine's civilian heating system has forced Kyiv to develop a model of infrastructure resilience based on decentralization and speed that offers important lessons for Ukraine's EU neighbors, writes Miro Sedlák.

Conflict Critical Infrastructure Policy

In the News

Apr 2, 2026

Kroenig published in The DailyWire on US options in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On April 1, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was published in The DailyWire on the Trump administration's options in Iran, arguing that the US has achieved its core objectives and should consider withdrawal.

Iran Security & Defense

Dispatches

Apr 2, 2026

الفصائل المدعومة من إيران تُدمِّر العراق—يجب على بغداد مواجهتها

By فيكتوريا تايلور

واشنطن — انفجر منزل يوم 13 مارس في حي الكرادة ببغداد، وانتشرت مقاطع مصورة للمشهد الملتهب على نطاق واسع عبر منصات التواصل الاجتماعي. يبدو أن الضربة — التي نفّذتها الولايات المتحدة على الأرجح، وإن لم تُقرّ بها علنًا حتى الآن — كانت تستهدف أبو حسين الحامداوي، زعيم كتائب حزب الله، وهو فصيل مسلح بارز مدعوم من إيران في العراق. وتشير […]

Arabic Conflict

Dispatches

Apr 2, 2026

Iran-backed militias are destroying Iraq. Baghdad must take them on.

By Victoria J. Taylor 

Iraq cannot continue like this, with drones and rockets menacing the country, and militias assassinating and kidnapping activists and journalists.

Conflict Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Nasredeen Abdulbari

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

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
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Events

Online Event Wed, April 8, 2026 • 8:30 am ET

IMEC during a time of war
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia India Middle East
Public Event Thu, April 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

Christopher Landau on commercial diplomacy to advance US interests worldwide

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau discusses how commercial diplomacy can be used as a tool for advancing strategic US interests around the world.

Economy & Business National Security Politics & Diplomacy
Online Event Fri, April 10, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

The Red Sea front and Yemen’s role in the Iran war
Economy & Business Energy & Environment Iran Middle East
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