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.

Zelenskyy rains on Putin’s parade: Kyiv and Moscow declare rival ceasefires

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

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

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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UkraineAlert

May 4, 2026

Zelenskyy rains on Putin’s parade: Kyiv and Moscow declare rival ceasefires

By Peter Dickinson

Victory Day was supposed to be an opportunity for Vladimir Putin to project power. Instead, this year’s drastically scaled down parade is exposing Russia’s weakness while revealing Ukraine's strength, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Drones

In the News

May 4, 2026

Charai for The National Interest: Iran’s Terror Regime Has Shown Its True Face

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

May 4, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Breaking the Architecture of Iran’s Regime Power

By Atlantic Council

Iran Maritime Security

AfricaSource

May 1, 2026

What can save Mali from collapse?

By Hussein Ba and Rama Yade

The security situation in Mali is becoming critical in the wake of a large-scale, coordinated series of attacks across multiple cities on April 25.

Extremism North & West Africa

UkraineAlert

May 1, 2026

Europe needs Ukraine as it looks to counter growing Russian threat

By Zahar Hryniv

More than a year since Trump returned to the White House, it is clear that Europe needs to develop its own strategic vision for the continent’s defense. It is equally apparent that Ukraine must be central to this vision, writes Zahar Hryniv.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Apr 30, 2026

Putin’s parade once projected power. Now it reveals Russia’s weakness.

By Peter Dickinson

Russia's annual Victory Day parade has traditionally been an opportunity for Putin to project power. This year, however, the parade has been scaled down amid fears of Ukrainian attack and risks becoming a symbol of Russian weakness, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Technologies

UkraineAlert

Apr 30, 2026

Zelenskyy refuses Russian demands to surrender Ukraine’s vital fortress belt

By Marc Goedemans

Ukraine rejects Russian demands to withdraw from northern Donetsk province as part of a peace deal and insists the region's fortress belt is absolutely indispensable for the defense of the country as a whole, writes Marc Goedemans.

Conflict Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Apr 30, 2026

How Colombia can reduce security threats ahead of its presidential election

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

Though Colombia's recent legislative elections were largely peaceful, the security environment has worsened in recent weeks amid death threats against candidates and escalating violence by armed groups. The upcoming weeks present a narrow, but critical, window to reduce risks ahead of the May 31 presidential election.

Americas Civil Society

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 29, 2026

Braw in Foreign Policy on Trump’s Iran war and strains on U.S. allies’ arms exports

By Elisabeth Braw

On April 29, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was published in Foreign Policy with an article describing how the U.S. war with Iran is straining relations with allies and disrupting arms exports as Washington diverts weapons to meet its own military needs.

Middle East Security & Defense

In the News

Apr 29, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: The Crown’s Moral Voice: King Charles in Washington and the Test of Western Clarity

By Atlantic Council

NATO Partnerships Politics & Diplomacy

Experts

Staff

Alex Elnagdy

Associate Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Arabic Energy & Environment

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Peter Engelke

Senior Fellow, GeoStrategy Initiative

GeoStrategy Initiative Global Energy Center

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Daniel P. Erikson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Economy & Business International Organizations

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Brenda Estefan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Economy & Business Latin America

Fellow

David F. Helvey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia

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Robert Fardi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Project for Middle East Integration

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Israel

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Public Event Fri, May 8, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

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Security & Defense

After a failed attack, Hezbollah’s propaganda seeks to prevent a wider war with Israel

How quickly can Taiwan integrate US weapon systems? Speed is essential to help deter China.

Invasion? What invasion? Putin is downplaying Ukraine’s Kursk offensive

Programs

Content

Zelenskyy rains on Putin’s parade: Kyiv and Moscow declare rival ceasefires

Charai for The National Interest: Iran’s Terror Regime Has Shown Its True Face

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Breaking the Architecture of Iran’s Regime Power

What can save Mali from collapse?

Europe needs Ukraine as it looks to counter growing Russian threat

Putin’s parade once projected power. Now it reveals Russia’s weakness.

Zelenskyy refuses Russian demands to surrender Ukraine’s vital fortress belt

How Colombia can reduce security threats ahead of its presidential election

Braw in Foreign Policy on Trump’s Iran war and strains on U.S. allies’ arms exports

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: The Crown’s Moral Voice: King Charles in Washington and the Test of Western Clarity

Experts

Alex Elnagdy

Peter Engelke

Daniel P. Erikson

Brenda Estefan

David F. Helvey

Robert Fardi

Events

Is Russia’s war machine running out of steam?

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue

Warsaw Week 2026

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