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 new containment: Changing America’s approach to Middle East security

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 new containment: Changing America’s approach to Middle East security

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 new containment: Changing America’s approach to Middle East security

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

Regional Security Initiative

Jul 6, 2015

The new containment: Changing America’s approach to Middle East security

By Bilal Y. Saab

Securing the Middle East after an Iran nuclear deal is the next big challenge for both the region and the international community. The United States and its allies have engaged in tireless diplomacy with Iran over the past few years to produce an agreement that would limit Tehran’s nuclear program for the next decade and […]

Middle East Security & Defense
NATO's current Strategic Concept was accepted Nov. 19, 2010

NATOSource

Jul 6, 2015

NATO May Revise Relationship with Russia Through New Strategy Document

By Adrian Croft, Reuters

NATO is preparing for a long standoff with Russia, reluctantly accepting that the Ukraine conflict has fundamentally transformed Europe’s security landscape and that it may have to abandon hope of a constructive relationship with Moscow.

NATO Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin, May 10, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 6, 2015

Slovak Intelligence: Russian Spies Increase Activities in EU, NATO

By AP

Slovakia’s spy agency [SIS] says Russian agents have significantly increased their activities in Slovakia and all other NATO and European Union countries in connection with the crisis in Ukraine.

Central Europe European Union
Norwegian special forces participating in NATO Flaming Sword Exercise, May 28, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 6, 2015

NATO Special Forces Helping Members Address Threat from Hybrid Warfare

By Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Washington Post

The Pentagon is increasingly concerned about how to combat “hybrid warfare,” the combination of stealth invasion, local proxy forces and international propaganda that Russia used to annex Crimea and destabilize eastern Ukraine, U.S. officials said.

NATO Russia
Norwegian armor participating in NATO Noble Jump Exercise, June 16, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 3, 2015

How to Reduce the Chances of War in Europe

By Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs

NATO currently has few forces in the Baltics, and Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have very limited militaries of their own.

NATO Northern Europe
NATO BALTOPS Exercise, June 17, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 2, 2015

Commanders: NATO Navies Should Beef Up Against Russia

By AFP and NATO Maritime Command

From AFP:  NATO should beef up its maritime arm in response to the rising threat from an increasingly “bold” and “aggressive” Russia, commanders said Wednesday.

NATO Russia
Gen. Philip Breedlove, July 1, 2014

NATOSource

Jul 2, 2015

Politics of Deployment Pose Challenge for NATO’s New Spearhead Force

By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes

When NATO granted new powers to its top military commander last week, enabling Gen. Philip Breedlove to mobilize quick-reaction troops for deployment against a gathering threat, it marked a step forward in the alliance’s attempt to transform itself into a more fleet-footed fighting force.

NATO Security & Defense
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Gen. Martin Dempsey, July 1, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 2, 2015

The New US National Military Strategy and NATO

By Department of Defense

Today’s global security environment is the most unpredictable I have seen in 40 years of service.

China NATO
Military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in World War II, May 9, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 1, 2015

A Nuclear Conflict with Russia is Likelier Than You Think

By Max Fisher, Vox

There is a growing chorus of political analysts, arms control experts, and government officials who are sounding the alarm, trying to call the world’s attention to its drift toward disaster. The prospect of a major war, even a nuclear war, in Europe has become thinkable, they warn, even plausible.

NATO Nuclear Nonproliferation

Event Recap

Jul 1, 2015

Global Missile Defense Conference

By Brent Scowcroft Center

Attempting to defend Europe against a Russian ballistic missile attack would be “extremely challenging and costly,” according to the State Department’s top missile defense official. Frank Rose, Assistant Secretary of State, said that “the size and sophistication of Russia’s strategic missile force” outweighs US and NATO defense interceptors otherwise “available to defend against such a large force.” Rose’s comments […]

Missile Defense NATO
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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
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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