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 innovative robot offensive just reversed a year of Russian gains

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’s innovative robot offensive just reversed a year of Russian gains

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’s innovative robot offensive just reversed a year of Russian gains

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 29, 2026

Ukraine’s innovative robot offensive just reversed a year of Russian gains

By David Kirichenko

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s hopes of capturing eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region have been dealt a major blow in recent months by an innovative Ukrainian offensive that has reversed over a year of Russian territorial gains, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Sep 29, 2026

Vladimir Putin only has two options in Ukraine: Total victory or endless war

By Peter Dickinson

US-led efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine War by offering the Kremlin limited territorial concessions reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of the imperial ambitions driving Putin's invasion, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Disinformation

Dispatches

Sep 29, 2026

Stopping Russia’s aggression requires holding its enablers accountable

By Celeste Kmiotek, Britt Gronemeyer

Russia’s war is sustained by a network of enablers who supply weapons, labor, and sanctions-evasion channels.

International Norms Russia

Issue Brief

Sep 29, 2026

Three principles to guide European-Gulf defense cooperation

By Jean-Loup Samaan

How can Europe and Gulf cooperate more effectively on defense?

Defense Industry Europe

Inflection Points

Sep 29, 2026

Don’t ignore the ‘dead rats’ of global disorder

By Frederick Kempe

A war historian’s recent essay underscores the urgency of addressing the issues increasing strife around the world today.

China Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Sep 28, 2026

For better or for worse, NATO’s future could define Trump’s foreign policy legacy

By AM Sir Christopher Harper and Hans Binnendijk

The Pentagon’s review of US force posture in Europe have high stakes for the United States and the president himself.

Europe NATO

Dispatches

Sep 25, 2026

Dispatch from New York: Latin America has opened a new chapter with Washington

By Jason Marczak, Henry Shuldiner

The diplomacy around this year’s United Nations General Assembly showcased new initiative in the Americas to increase economic growth and tackle crime.

Economy & Business Latin America

UkraineAlert

Sep 24, 2026

Ukraine’s defense tech sector must offer investors more than innovation

By Olga Usenko

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has built one of the world’s most dynamic defense tech ecosystems under conditions few industries ever face. However, innovation alone will not be enough to win over potential investors, writes Olga Usenko.

Conflict Defense Industry

Transcript

Sep 23, 2026

Full transcript: The 2026 Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards honor four leaders seeking to improve the state of the world

By Atlantic Council

The star-studded evening celebrated the achievements of four global citizens who are using partnership and inspiration to shape what comes next for the world.

Australia Northern Europe

UkraineAlert

Sep 23, 2026

Putin’s Ukraine invasion has made Russia China’s junior partner

By Zahar Hryniv

Putin’s evident inability to secure Beijing’s backing for the Power of Siberia-2 pipeline is strengthening international perceptions that the invasion of Ukraine has reduced Russia to the status of China’s junior partner, writes Zahar Hryniv.

China Conflict
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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

Public Event Wed, October 7, 2026 • 1:00 pm ET

Report launch: How can NATO protect its front line from Russia?
Disinformation Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia NATO
Public Event Thu, October 8, 2026 • 6:00 pm ET

Sea change: America’s new great game in the Arctic Circle
Defense Policy Defense Technologies Economy & Business Energy & Environment