Was Trump’s strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat legal?

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
Was Trump’s strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat legal?

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
Was Trump’s strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat legal?

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

New Atlanticist

Sep 12, 2025

Was Trump’s strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat legal?

By Celeste Kmiotek

It’s worth looking in detail at where the US strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel on September 2 sits in relation to international law.

Maritime Security Rule of Law

UkraineAlert

Sep 11, 2025

China, India, and North Korea back Russia as changing global order takes shape

By Katherine Spencer

Support from China, India, and North Korea for Russia’s war in Ukraine will allow the killing to continue while undermining Trump’s efforts to pressure the Kremlin into ending the invasion, writes Katherine Spencer.

China Conflict

UkraineAlert

Sep 11, 2025

Fighting corruption strengthens Ukraine in the war against Russia

By Matthew H. Murray

Ukraine's efforts to combat corruption on the domestic front play a vital role in the country's broader fight for national survival against Vladimir Putin's resurgent Russian imperialism, writes Matthew H. Murray.

Civil Society Conflict

Issue Brief

Sep 11, 2025

Private industry should step up to protect the global maritime order

By Elisabeth Braw

Who should protect the global maritime order? While a growing number of countries have begun to violate maritime rules, the maritime sector has the opportunity, and an obligation, to help prevent further deterioration of the rules that underpin safe commerce and safe passage on the seas.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Sep 11, 2025

Belarus hosts Russian war games as Putin’s drones probe Poland

By Hanna Liubakova

On September 12, Belarus and Russia will begin their largest joint military exercises since the start of Putin's Ukraine invasion, just two days after at least nineteen Russian drones penetrated neighboring Polish airspace, writes Hanna Liubakova.

Belarus Conflict

Inflection Points Today

Sep 11, 2025

Von der Leyen’s stirring message to Europe: Fight to survive

By Frederick Kempe

“Europe is in a fight,” the European Commission president said during her State of the Union address in Strasbourg on September 10.

European Union Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Sep 11, 2025

Wieslander on Swedish radio

Director for Northern Europe Anna Wieslander has featured on Swedish radio September 10 & 11 following the news of NATO forces shooting down Russian drones over Poland and commented on the NATO response and reactions from world leaders. September 10, Wieslander says that “it was about time NATO reacted in such a way” and continues […]

National Security NATO

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2025

Why the Pentagon had been reluctant to combat narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere

By Kevin Whitaker

The recent US strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel is a reminder that the US military had for years resisted getting more deeply involved in counternarcotics.

Latin America Maritime Security

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2025

What to know about Trump’s war on drug trafficking from Venezuela

By Atlantic Council experts

The recent US strike on a suspected drug trafficking boat is best understood in the context of the Trump administration’s policies toward Venezuela and the wider Western Hemisphere.

Caribbean Latin America

AfricaSource

Sep 10, 2025

To counter Chinese and Russian influence in Africa, Turkey could be a decisive ally for the US and Europe

By Rama Yade, Defne Arslan

As Turkey continues to develop closer ties to African nations, the United States and Europe should work with Ankara as a partner in its efforts to gain soft power throughout the continent.

Africa Economy & Business
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Experts

Fellow

Brett McGurk

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Middle East

Fellow

Erin K. McFee

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Latin America National Security

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Lead of the Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Dan Minnocci

Senior US Air Force Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Europe & Eurasia Middle East

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Omer Niazi

President and Founder, Council on International Law Order and Security (CILOS)

Middle East Rule of Law

Fellow

Owen J. Daniels

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy
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Events

Public Event Wed, September 17, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Implications of Middle East security trends for Latin America and the Caribbean
Conflict Latin America Middle East Non-Traditional Threats
Online Event Wed, September 17, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

How the Russian Orthodox Church supports the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine
Conflict Europe & Eurasia Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights
Public Event Wed, September 17, 2025 • 2:30 pm ET

Road to FIFA 2026: Strengthening homeland resilience ahead of the World Cup
Resilience & Society Security & Defense
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