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

Alliance at Risk Report Highlighted in Defense One

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

Alliance at Risk Report Highlighted in Defense One

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

Alliance at Risk Report Highlighted in Defense One

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.

Learn more

Content

In the News

Mar 23, 2016

Alliance at Risk Report Highlighted in Defense One

By Atlantic Council

Read the full article here.

NATO Security & Defense

Defense Industrialist

Mar 23, 2016

Ospreys across the no-man’s sea

By James Hasik

A new “island strategy” for reaction forces could make carrier and amphibious groups less essential. On Monday, the American Hellenic Institute hosted a luncheon with Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos on the occasion of the rollout of a paper by Dan Gouré’s of the Lexington Institute on “Souda Bay: NATO’s Military Gem in the Eastern Mediterranean.” I […]

China Defense Technologies
B61 nuclear bomb exhibit at the Pima Air & Space Museum, Feb. 24, 2012

NATOSource

Mar 23, 2016

Adjusting NATO’s Nuclear Policies: A Five Step Program

By Franklin C. Miller

As the Wales Summit recognized, NATO faces a potential threat of attack by conventional force elements, both in traditional formations and in the form of “little green men.”

NATO Nuclear Nonproliferation

In the News

Mar 23, 2016

Gramer Quoted by Milwaukee Public Radio on the Brussels Terrorist Attacks and the Future of NATO

By Robbie Gramer

Read the full article here.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Mar 23, 2016

ISIS Strikes Brussels: Is This The ‘New Normal’?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The terrorist attacks in Brussels represent a collective failure of Western intelligence, underscore the challenges radicalized young Muslims pose to Europe and the United States, but most of all are emblematic of what the Atlantic Council’s Barry Pavel describes as a “new normal.” The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the […]

Cybersecurity European Union

Issue Brief

Mar 22, 2016

What’s left of Europe if the far right has its way?

By Alina Polyakova and Anton Shekhovtsov

Far-right parties are on the rise in Europe, particularly in the post-soviet space. The 2008 financial crisis provided these parties with an electoral boost, and the refugee crisis threatening the continent has inflamed nationalist and xenophobic populism. In this new issue brief, “What’s Left of Europe if the Far Right Has Its Way?”, Dr. Alina […]

Central Europe Civil Society

In the News

Mar 22, 2016

Barno and Bensahel in War on the Rocks: The Military is From Mars, Civilians are From Venus: Avoiding Planetary Collisions in the Conference Room

By David Barno & Nora Bensahel

Read the full article here.

Defense Industry Security & Defense

In the News

Mar 22, 2016

Hasik Quoted by National Defense Magazine on US Military Tactical Vehicle Purchases

By James Hasik

Read the full article here.

Defense Industry Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Mar 21, 2016

It’s Time to Sharpen NATO’s ‘Spearhead’ Force

By Robbie Gramer

Funding issues and decision-making challenges may render obsolete NATO’s “spearhead” force, which was set up in response to Russia’s military aggression along its eastern flank. This is another critical gap for NATO given Russia’s ramped up pressure on Eastern Europe, a move that has many Alliance officials even more worried after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s […]

European Union International Organizations

In the News

Mar 21, 2016

Pavel Joins NBC Nightly News to Discuss US Presidential Candidate Donald Trump’s Position on NATO and United States Foreign Policy

By Barry Pavel

Elections NATO
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Nasredeen Abdulbari

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Middle East National Security

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

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

Arabic China

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Nic Adams

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment Middle East

Fellow

Paul Adamson

Senior Advisor

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
Load More

Events

Public Event Thu, March 12, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Resilience in Security and Economics Dialogue
Central Europe Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy