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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The shadow fleet is undermining the maritime order more brazenly than ever

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
The shadow fleet is undermining the maritime order more brazenly than ever

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
The shadow fleet is undermining the maritime order more brazenly than ever

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

Issue briefs and reports

Apr 22, 2026

The shadow fleet is undermining the maritime order more brazenly than ever

By Elisabeth Braw

The shadow fleet—ships sailing outside the official shipping system — has grown to encompass more than a thousand oil tankers globally. Iranian shadow vessels slipping through the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are the latest sign that the fleet and its main sponsor, Russia, have responded to enforcement attempts with ever more brazen violations.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

In the News

Apr 22, 2026

Kroenig published in Foreign Policy on What Happens if China Succeeds

By Atlantic Council

On April 22, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was published in Foreign Policy on how China winning great power competition would foment a more dangerous, impoverished, and tyrannical world for everyone else.

China Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 22, 2026

Kroenig quoted in Bloomberg on prospects for victory in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On April 20, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in Bloomberg about how President Trump can declare victory in Iran.

Iran Security & Defense

Dispatches

Apr 21, 2026

The Strait of Hormuz closure forces a choice: Ration oil now or pay a steep price later

By Joseph Webster and Reid I’Anson

Instead of subsidizing demand or releasing scarce reserves too quickly, policymakers should emphasize the rationing of scarce supplies.

Conflict Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Apr 20, 2026

Russia threatens Europe as Ukraine escalates strikes on Putin’s oil industry

By Giorgi Revishvili

The Kremlin issued a thinly veiled threat to European leaders last week over their support for Ukraine's drone program as escalating Ukrainian strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure cause unprecedented damage, writes Giorgi Revishvili.

Conflict Defense Technologies

MENASource

Apr 20, 2026

The Iran war has forced the US-Gulf alliance out of the shadows

By Eric Alter

The Iran war is testing whether the informal strategic system the United States has assembled with its Gulf partners and Israel is strong enough to hold up amid a regional conflict.

Defense Policy Iran

MENASource

Apr 20, 2026

‘They have been exposed’: The Iran war upends Gulf states’ security and business model

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

The Iran war threatens the sense of security, prosperity, and opportunity that the Gulf states have spent years cultivating as they seek to diversify their economies away from oil.

Critical Infrastructure Policy Geopolitics & Energy Security

Dispatches

Apr 20, 2026

Five ideas to make the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara a success

By Atlantic Council experts

While the upcoming summit is unlikely to produce anything as singularly significant as 2025’s “5 percent” pledge, there are important steps the Alliance should take.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

UkraineAlert

Apr 18, 2026

Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 long before the full-scale war of 2022

By Paul Niland

International efforts to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine must reflect the fact that the Kremlin's attack on Ukraine began in 2014 and not with the full-scale war of 2022, writes Paul Niland.

Conflict Disinformation

Dispatches

Apr 17, 2026

Four scenarios for geopolitics after the Iran war

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Barry Pavel

Policymakers should consider four potential outcomes for the Iran war and how they would impact US-China competition.

Conflict Defense Policy
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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