‘Don’t allow deception to become reality’ on Taiwan, says Congressman John Moolenaar

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
‘Don’t allow deception to become reality’ on Taiwan, says Congressman John Moolenaar

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
‘Don’t allow deception to become reality’ on Taiwan, says Congressman John Moolenaar

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

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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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Event Recap

Feb 12, 2026

‘Don’t allow deception to become reality’ on Taiwan, says Congressman John Moolenaar

By Katherine Golden

Moolenaar made the case for the United States to "push back" against the Chinese Communist Party's "false narratives" whenever they appear.

China
Crisis Management

UkraineAlert

Feb 12, 2026

Vladimir Putin is trapped in a war he cannot win but dare not end

By Peter Dickinson

As the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale Ukraine invasion approaches, Vladimir Putin finds himself trapped in a war he cannot win but dare not end for fear of entering Russian history as the man who lost Ukraine, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict
Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Feb 12, 2026

Ukraine says lifting football ban would risk legitimizing Russia’s invasion

By Mark Temnycky

Ukraine’s Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi has slammed calls for Russia’s return to international football and warned that any attempt to reinstate the Russians would risk legitimizing the country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, writes Mark Temnycky.

Conflict
Corruption

Report

Feb 12, 2026

Putin’s next move? Five Russian attack scenarios Europe must prepare for

By Richard D. Hooker, Jr.

Whether emboldened by victory in Ukraine or motivated by a loss to pursue success elsewhere, Russian president Vladimir Putin is likely to continue his campaign of aggression. The Nordic and Baltic region, already subject to a campaign of intimidation, is in the Kremlin’s crosshairs—with these five places at greatest risk.

Defense Policy
Eastern Europe

Inflection Points

Feb 12, 2026

Dispatch from Munich: Present at the destruction or the creation?

By Frederick Kempe

This year’s Munich Security Conference presents the transatlantic Alliance with two very different paths ahead.

Europe & Eurasia
Germany

Dispatches

Feb 11, 2026

I was wrong about fighting China in 2025. But the US still isn’t ready for that fight.

By Mike Minihan

A retired US general reflects on his earlier and controversial prediction that the United States and China were headed for conflict.

China
Conflict

Podcast

Feb 11, 2026

Narco noir: Drugs, gangs and mercenaries in Latin America

By Alia Brahimi

In Season 2, Episode 14 of the Guns for Hire podcast, host Alia Brahimi is joined by Dr Vanda Felbab-Brown, a renowned expert on non-state armed groups and organised crime. They begin by discussing the escalation of gang violence in Haiti over the last year, despite the arrival of the American PMC, Vectus Global, which is led by the Blackwater founder Erik Prince. Vanda points out that a recent air campaign weaponizing off-the-shelf drones was intended to decapitate the gangs but, while hundreds of Haitians have been killed, none of them have been significant gang leaders. They go on to explore why governments in the region allow and coopt street militias, the bunkering of fuel by colectivos in Venezuela, Hizballah’s continuing narcotics operations across Latin America, the IRGC’s role in drug trafficking, and how the regime in Iran ends.

Americas
Caribbean

In the News

Feb 11, 2026

Kroenig on NPR on Iran

By Atlantic Council

On February 11, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on NPR on the Trump Administration’s negotiations with Iran.

Iran
Security & Defense

Issue Brief

Feb 9, 2026

Mining without rules: The risky US bet on the deep sea

By Elisabeth Braw

Amid efforts to acquire coveted critical minerals, in April 2025 the United States permitted deep-sea mining within international waters. Elisabeth Braw explores the implications of the Trump Administration's move for global maritime norms.

Economy & Business
Energy & Environment

UkraineAlert

Feb 9, 2026

The Putin regime faces mounting pressure but is still far from collapse

By Will Dixon, Maksym Beznosiuk

Russia is facing mounting challenges on the battlefield in Ukraine and on the home front, but predictions that the Putin regime is on the brink of collapse remain premature, write Will Dixon and Maksym Beznosiuk.

Conflict
Corruption
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Experts

Fellow

Leah Pisar

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Education

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Margaritis Schinas

Distinguished Fellow

Europe Center

English European Union

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Dario Cristiani

Nonresident Senior Fellow, North Africa Program

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

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Jeppe Kofod

Distinguished Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

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Nathan K. Finney

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Conflict Defense Policy

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Tom Mancinelli

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy
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Events

Public Event Tue, February 17, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Turkey’s evolving role in a new global geopolitical and security order
Conflict Europe & Eurasia Iran Iraq
Public Event Wed, February 18, 2026 • 1:30 pm ET

Report launch: Negotiating with Putin’s Russia
Conflict Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Russia
Public Event Fri, February 20, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 US-Caribbean Maritime and Ports Forum
Americas Artificial Intelligence Caribbean Climate Change & Climate Action