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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15 charts that explain why the Strait of Hormuz shutdown matters for the global economy

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
15 charts that explain why the Strait of Hormuz shutdown matters for the global economy

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
15 charts that explain why the Strait of Hormuz shutdown matters for the global economy

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

Dispatches

Apr 14, 2026

15 charts that explain why the Strait of Hormuz shutdown matters for the global economy

By Kate Burnett, Kevin Li, Lisa Basquel, and Chloe O’Connor

Until it was effectively closed, the waterway had been a critical artery for not only crude oil and liquefied natural gas, but several critical commodities as well.

Conflict Economy & Business

TURKEYSource

Apr 14, 2026

Zelenskyy’s Middle East and Turkey tour reveals a new regional order in the making

By Yevgeniya Gaber

Seizing momentum in the Middle East, Ukraine is leveraging battlefield innovation and its partnership with Turkey to translate wartime experience into geopolitical influence.

Defense Technologies Security & Defense

Dispatches

Apr 14, 2026

What the Taiwanese opposition leader’s recent China visit means for Taipei, Beijing, and Washington

By Wen-Ti Sung

Cheng Li-wun recently visited Beijing and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the first time a Kuomintang chair has traveled to China in a decade.

China Maritime Security

In the News

Apr 14, 2026

Kroenig quoted in The Wall Street Journal on the US blockade of Hormuz

By Atlantic Council

On April 13, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in The Wall Street Journal on the US blockade of the Straight of Hormuz, arguing that the Trump administration is escalating pressure on the Iranian regime.

Iran Maritime Security

UkraineAlert

Apr 13, 2026

Orbán’s Hungarian election defeat: Good for Ukraine, bad for Russia

By Peter Dickinson

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's historic election defeat has removed a major obstacle to Ukraine's EU integration while robbing Putin of his most important European ally, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Elections

UkraineAlert

Apr 13, 2026

Brussels and Kyiv should have realistic expectations about Magyar’s Hungary

By James Batchik, Eva Mulholland

While Péter Magyar’s election victory provides ample reason for optimism, there is also good cause to temper any expectations of Hungary now playing a leading European role in support of Ukraine, write James Batchik and Eva Mulholland.

Conflict Elections

In the News

Apr 13, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on NPR on Iran’s state-sponsored piracy

By Atlantic Council

On April 11, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on NPR on Iran's state-sponsored piracy in the Straight of Hormuz.

Iran Maritime Security

Dispatches

Apr 12, 2026

Washington needs a ‘Plan Venezuela’ before it’s too late

By James Story and David Bellon

Using Plan Colombia as a model, the United States should commit to a long-term, well-funded effort to bring security to Venezuela.

Colombia Economy & Business

In the News

Apr 11, 2026

Trump Must Break Tehran’s Machinery of Coercion

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Apr 10, 2026

Operation Overflow: How to break Iran’s grip over the Strait of Hormuz

By Landon Derentz

The US and its Gulf partners need an infrastructure strategy to bypass the strait entirely, on the scale of projects undertaken during World War II.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Anca Agachi

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Africa Conflict

Fellow

Osamah Al Rawhani

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Bisher Al-Khasawneh

Distinguished Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Defense Policy

Fellow

Omar Al-Nidawi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Energy & Environment

Fellow

Alexander Alden

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy English
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Events

Public Event Tue, April 28, 2026 • 10:15 am ET

Belgium’s defense minister on the future of transatlantic security relations
Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia NATO Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy