Trump and MBS have big ambitions for the Middle East. Bold action must follow.

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
Trump and MBS have big ambitions for the Middle East. Bold action must follow.

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
Trump and MBS have big ambitions for the Middle East. Bold action must follow.

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

Inflection Points

Nov 20, 2025

Trump and MBS have big ambitions for the Middle East. Bold action must follow.

By Frederick Kempe

Beneath all the deals and agreements that will be announced this week, US and Saudi officials are quietly conjuring plans that could be transformative.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Nov 20, 2025

Gray in National Interest on establishing a Secretary of the Coast Guard

On November 20, Alexander B. Gray, a nonresident senior fellow with the GeoStrategy Initiative at the Scowcroft Center, published an article in The National Interest, arguing in favor of strengthening the branch’s ability to carry out its missions by establishing a Secretary of the Coast Guard. 

Defense Policy
Maritime Security

Dispatches

Nov 20, 2025

China’s new five-year plan should be a wake-up call for the United States

By Robert Hormats

The United States now faces the most formidable economic and technology competitor it has encountered in nearly a hundred years.

China
Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Nov 20, 2025

China’s new five-year plan should be a wake-up call for the United States

By Robert Hormats

The United States now faces the most formidable economic and technology competitor it has encountered in nearly a hundred years.

China
Economy & Business

Fast Thinking

Nov 19, 2025

Digging into the details of the US-Saudi deals

By Atlantic Council

Our experts dive into the US-Saudi announcements that followed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s White House visit on Tuesday.

Artificial Intelligence
Defense Industry

Issue Brief

Nov 19, 2025

Why Ankara’s rising power in the Sahel could benefit the West

By Alp Ozen, Haley Nelson

Turkey offers a rare channel in the Sahel that the West could use to recalibrate its approach to the region.

Africa
Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Nov 19, 2025

Dispatch from Warsaw: How to respond as Putin ratchets up the pressure

By Daniel Fried

A suspected act of sabotage on a Polish railway line has highlighted the need for NATO countries to respond to Russian aggression.

Central Europe
Crisis Management

In the News

Nov 19, 2025

Yevgeniya Gaber joins El Espanol for comments on president Zelenskyy’s visits to Spain and Turkey, and his meeting with President Erdogan.
Europe & Eurasia
NATO

UkraineAlert

Nov 18, 2025

Vladimir Putin fears entering Russian history as the man who lost Ukraine

By Peter Dickinson

Throughout his reign, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin has become increasingly obsessed with the idea of erasing Ukrainian independence, but his decision to invade has backfired disastrously, eroding centuries of Russian influence and accelerating Ukraine’s European integration, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict
Democratic Transitions

In the News

Nov 18, 2025

Denney in Lawfare on America’s role on the international stage

By Samuel Denney

On November 16, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident fellow Samuel Denney co-authored an op-ed in Lawfare on America’s role on the international stage.

Europe & Eurasia
Security & Defense
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Experts

Fellow

Dean Wilkening

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Technologies Missile Defense

Staff

John T. O’Brien

Associate Director of Research

Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense​ Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Security & Defense Space Security

Fellow

Stanislava Mladenova

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Afghanistan Conflict

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

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict
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Events

Public Event Wed, January 28, 2026 • 3:00 pm ET

Rep. Rob Wittman on the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act
National Security Security & Defense United States and Canada