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.

Explore
For Russia, Trump’s diesel deal was just the first ask

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
For Russia, Trump’s diesel deal was just the first ask

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
For Russia, Trump’s diesel deal was just the first ask

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.

Learn more

Content

Dispatches

Oct 27, 2026

For Russia, Trump’s diesel deal was just the first ask

By Charles Lichfield, Lize de Kruijf

The rationale behind the Trump administration’s recently issued General License 135 faces a number of questions.

Conflict Energy & Environment

UkraineAlert

Oct 27, 2026

UN report: Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid are a ‘crime against humanity’

By Kateryna Odarchenko

Russia’s bombardment of Ukraine’s civilian power grid qualifies as a crime against humanity, according to a new report by the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, writes Kateryna Odarchenko.

Conflict Drones

UkraineAlert

Oct 27, 2026

European infrastructure is vulnerable as Putin escalates Russia’s hybrid war

By Maksym Beznosiuk

Putin is currently looking to exploit Europe’s vulnerabilities as he seeks ways to isolate Ukraine and cut off Kyiv’s European aid lifeline. Civilian infrastructure may be one of the continent’s weakest links, writes Maksym Beznosiuk.

Conflict Critical Infrastructure Policy

TURKEYSource

Oct 27, 2026

Why France and Turkey are giving defense cooperation another go

By Ali Mammadov

France and Turkey still disagree on plenty, but Europe’s changing security environment is giving them stronger reasons to cooperate.

Europe & Eurasia France

Dispatches

Oct 26, 2026

The new EU Arctic strategy shows ambition—but also anxiety

By Kathleen Larkin, Jason C. Moyer

While the United States is only referenced seven times in the document, elements of the strategy read as a response to Trump administration initiatives.

European Union Maritime Security

Dispatches

Oct 23, 2026

North Korea may be the biggest winner of Russia’s war in Ukraine

By Rick Hoehne

Pyongyang is gaining combat experience, technology, and money by supporting Russia's invasion, raising security risks for the Indo-Pacific.

Indo-Pacific Korea

Inflection Points

Oct 22, 2026

Trump will define his legacy through Russia—one way or the other

By Frederick Kempe

The US president inherited Russia’s war on Ukraine, but he will own the consequences of how it ends.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

UkraineAlert

Oct 21, 2026

Ukrainians are not fighting for Zelenskyy. They are fighting for national survival.

By Peter Dickinson

Trump and Putin both seem to think that removing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would set the stage for a Kremlin-friendly peace deal, but most Ukrainians see the war as a fight for national survival that does not depend on any one man, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Education

The Big Story

Oct 21, 2026

The new Middle East is modular

By Jonathan Panikoff

In the Middle East today, states are aligning issue by issue, not choosing sides. They cooperate in one area and compete in the next. This modular alignment is shaping the region, even as it manages the shocks of war and energy-market volatility.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Middle East

MENASource

Oct 21, 2026

The withdrawal of the US-led coalition is a loss for Iraq’s sovereignty

By Yerevan Saeed

The government secured the withdrawal of foreign partners before securing obedience from armed factions. That leaves Baghdad with less leverage against Iran’s allies in Iraq.

Iraq Security & Defense
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Natasha Ahmed

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Industry

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
Load More

Events

Online Event Thu, October 29, 2026 • 8:00 am ET

Building collective cognitive resilience: A cross-strait and beyond seminar
Artificial Intelligence Disinformation Indo-Pacific Japan
Public Event Fri, October 30, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

General Dagvin R. M. Anderson on US strategy and security in Africa
Africa Defense Policy Security & Defense
Public Event Fri, October 30, 2026 • 1:30 pm ET

Raj Panjabi on turning crisis into community
Coronavirus International Organizations Non-Traditional Threats Technology & Innovation
Load More