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

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

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

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

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 4, 2026

Braw in Timbro on Security in the Baltic Sea

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 4, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was published in Timbro in an article analyzing security dynamics in the Baltic Sea region and arguing that regional states must take greater responsibility for maritime security.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 4, 2026

Braw in Fokus on U.S. reliability and Sweden’s defense industry

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 4, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was published in Fokus in an article discussing how uncertainty surrounding U.S. security commitments could strengthen Sweden’s defense industry and alter Europe’s defense landscape.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

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

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 3, 2026

Braw in SVT on Sweden’s boarding of a suspicious vessel near Trelleborg

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 3, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was featured in SVT in coverage of Swedish authorities boarding a vessel near Trelleborg suspected of involvement in Russia’s shadow fleet operations.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

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
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Experts

Fellow

Jamie Metzl

Nonresident Senior Fellow for Technology and National Security

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Technologies

Fellow

Joel Meyer

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

Artificial Intelligence Defense Policy

Staff

Karim Mezran

Director, Resident Senior Fellow, North Africa Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Leo Michel

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Fellow

Narushige Michishita

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Crisis Management Defense Policy

Fellow

Andrew A. Michta

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Central Europe Eastern Europe
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Events

Public Event Mon, June 15, 2026 • 12:30 pm ET

How should the United States counter Russia and China’s hybrid warfare?
China East Asia Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia
Public Event Wed, June 17, 2026 • 3:30 pm ET

Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis on the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—The Atlantic Council is hosting Senators Shaheen and Tillis for a conversation on the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara.
Europe & Eurasia NATO Security & Defense