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’s blockade of Crimea puts Putin’s greatest victory under threat

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
Ukraine’s blockade of Crimea puts Putin’s greatest victory under threat

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
Ukraine’s blockade of Crimea puts Putin’s greatest victory under threat

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

Jun 30, 2026

Ukraine’s blockade of Crimea puts Putin’s greatest victory under threat

By Peter Dickinson

Crimea has long been seen as Vladimir Putin’s greatest victory, but Ukraine's drone blockade is now turning the Russian-occupied peninsula into an embarrassing symbol of imperial overreach, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Technologies

UkraineAlert

Jun 30, 2026

Banning Russian soldiers from the EU is a common sense security measure

By Elena Davlikanova, Tatiana Vorozhko

Supporters of the current proposal to ban Russian military personnel from the EU see it as a common sense security measure in response to the Kremlin's escalating hybrid war against Europe, write Elena Davlikanova and Tatiana Vorozhko.

Conflict Cybersecurity

Dispatches

Jun 30, 2026

What’s at stake in the USMCA review is a stronger, safer, and more prosperous North America

By Antonio Ortiz-Mena

As US, Canadian, and Mexican officials meet to review the trilateral trade pact, more is on the line than simply tariff rates and rules of origin.

Economy & Business Mexico

Dispatches

Jun 29, 2026

European allies can boost NATO unity at the Ankara summit by accelerating eastern flank deterrence

By Richard D. Hooker, Jr.

The allies should agree to station full-strength combat brigades in each of the Baltic states to deter possible Russian aggression.

Eastern Europe NATO

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Jun 27, 2026

Braw in POLITICO on public-private partnerships to defend against hybrid attacks

By Elisabeth Braw

On June 27, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw published an article in POLITICO on how governments could benefit from further collaboration with the private sector to prevent hybrid attacks.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

Inflection Points

Jun 26, 2026

Secretary General Mark Rutte on Trump, Europe, and the future of NATO

By Frederick Kempe

Atlantic Council President and CEO Frederick Kempe sits down with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Event Recap

Jun 26, 2026

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte: Expect deals in Ankara, plus a sharp message to Moscow

By Katherine Golden

Rutte spoke at an Atlantic Council Front Page event, arguing that the Ankara summit could wind up “even more important” than last year’s in The Hague.

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

UkraineAlert

Jun 25, 2026

Belarus is quietly preparing to play a larger role in Russia’s Ukraine war

By Hanna Liubakova

Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is not enthusiastic about the prospect of joining Russia’s Ukraine invasion, but he appears to be steadily building up his country’s military capacity in case he finds himself pushed more directly into the war, writes Hanna Liubakova.

Belarus Conflict

UkraineAlert

Jun 25, 2026

The West can learn from Ukraine’s AI future vision beyond the battlefield

By Andrew D’Anieri

The US and Europe are already looking to Ukraine for the next generation of defense technologies. As Western countries debate their own AI strategies, they would likewise do well to examine Ukraine as a similar starting point for further innovation, writes Andrew D’Anieri.

Artificial Intelligence Conflict

Dispatches

Jun 25, 2026

Radiological and nuclear threats are no longer hypothetical. Europe needs to respond.

By Jacek Siewiera and Jim Stokes

The fact that two separate radiological incidents on European soil occurred on the same day should put to rest any doubts about whether the threat is merely theoretical.

Europe & Eurasia European Union
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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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