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

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

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

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

Dispatches

Sep 17, 2026

Macron won the argument over European strategic autonomy. Will better European defense come of it?

By Aurélie Vittot

Delivering real capabilities is where this vision of strategic autonomy will succeed or fail.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Sep 15, 2026

With Putin overextended in Ukraine, Armenia is turning away from Russia

By Joseph Epstein

Every day Ukraine keeps fighting, Russian influence grows weaker in the countries of the ex-USSR that Moscow refers to as the “near abroad.” Nowhere is this Russian retreat clearer than in Armenia, writes Joseph Epstein.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

Dispatches

Sep 15, 2026

Dispatch from Seoul: How Asian allies can help the US with Iran

By William F. Wechsler

Allies in the Asia-Pacific should recognize that they cannot continue to be perceived as unwilling to assist the US in its conflict with Iran.

Conflict Indo-Pacific

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Sep 15, 2026

Braw in Wall Street Journal on Irish security

By Elisabeth Braw

On September 15, Elisabeth Braw was quoted in the Wall Street Journal in an article on Russia’s shadow fleet using Irish waters to bypass NATO security.

Europe Security & Defense

Dispatches

Sep 14, 2026

Beyond the Reaper: Rethinking the future of multirole drones

By Moss Gillespie

The US Air Force should consider spreading the multirole model across networks of smaller, cheaper drones.

Defense Technologies Middle East

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Sep 14, 2026

Braw in BFBS on the Russian activity in Svalbard

By Elisabeth Braw

On September 14, Elisabeth Braw was quoted in BFBS on the strategic importance of Svalbard, and Russia’s increasing action near the archipelago.

Europe Security & Defense

Inflection Points

Sep 14, 2026

Trump and Xi should rethink how to run the AI race

By Frederick Kempe

The threat of frontier artificial intelligence must be at the top of the agenda for the upcoming meeting between the leaders.

Artificial Intelligence China

UkraineAlert

Sep 13, 2026

Learning from Ukraine’s unrivaled experience of Russian cyber warfare

By Iryna Volnytska

No country in the world today knows more about Russian cyber warfare than Ukraine, but further steps are required in order to help Kyiv’s partners make the most of Ukraine’s unrivaled experience, writes Iryna Volnytska.

Conflict Cybersecurity
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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
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Events

Online Event Tue, September 22, 2026 • 4:15 pm ET

Spain’s foreign minister on European security and the transatlantic alliance
Europe NATO Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense
Online Event Tue, September 22, 2026 • 5:30 pm ET

President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Syria’s future, reconstruction, and regional role

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa will discuss his vision for Syria’s future and his government’s priorities for reconstruction, economic recovery, and institutional reform.

Economy & Business Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions Geopolitics & Energy Security
Public Event Fri, September 25, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

From NATO’s frontline to the keystone state: Lithuania and Pennsylvania’s ties
Eastern Europe Europe Europe & Eurasia NATO
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