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.

Explore
Decapitation strikes are not enough to take on Mexico’s cartels. Here’s what else the US should do.

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
Decapitation strikes are not enough to take on Mexico’s cartels. Here’s what else the US should do.

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
Decapitation strikes are not enough to take on Mexico’s cartels. Here’s what else the US should do.

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

Dispatches

Mar 2, 2026

Decapitation strikes are not enough to take on Mexico’s cartels. Here’s what else the US should do.

By Charlotte Bertrand

Strikes on cartels should be combined with greater efforts to disrupt supply and reduce substance use disorder in the United States.

Latin America Mexico

Dispatches

Mar 1, 2026

Experts react: How the US war with Iran is playing out around the Middle East

By Atlantic Council experts

What happens in Iran doesn’t stay in Iran. The consequences of the US-Israeli military campaign launched on Saturday will radiate across the region and the world.

Conflict Israel

Dispatches

Mar 1, 2026

Don’t worry about the Iran conflict’s impact on oil prices—yet

By Landon Derentz

Markets can tolerate a spike. What they cannot tolerate is prolonged uncertainty over trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Conflict Energy & Environment

In the News

Mar 1, 2026

Charai in The National Interest: How the US Can Sustain Deterrence After Khamenei

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Mar 1, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Post: After the strikes: Planning for Iran’s ‘day after’

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Iran

Fast Thinking

Feb 28, 2026

Iran’s supreme leader is dead. Here’s what it means.

By Atlantic Council

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, was killed in a US-Israeli bombing campaign on Feb. 28.

Iran Security & Defense

In the News

Feb 28, 2026

Daniels featured on NewsNation panel on the Pentagon’s use of AI

By Atlantic Council

On February 28, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Owen Daniels appeared on a NewsNation panel discussing the Pentagon’s feud with Anthropic. Daniels points out that Anthropic’s action could set a precedent for future AI companies behavior, and that the Pentagon was concerned by this possibility.  

Artificial Intelligence Defense Policy

Fast Thinking

Feb 28, 2026

What Trump’s ‘Epic Fury’ means for Iran and the Middle East 

By Atlantic Council

Operation Epic Fury has begun. On Feb. 28, US President Donald Trump announced a “massive and ongoing” attack on Iran.

National Security Security & Defense

Dispatches

Feb 28, 2026

Experts react: The US and Israel just unleashed a major attack on Iran. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts assess the unfolding Operation Epic Fury and where it goes from here.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Feb 27, 2026

Regime change in Iran? Here’s why the US should avoid the temptation.

By Jennifer Gavito and Bianca Rosen

Launching a large-scale conflict aimed at regime change in Iran would likely create more problems than it would solve for the United States.

Conflict Crisis Management
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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 Mon, April 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

Admiral Daryl Caudle on the strategic vision for the US Navy
Defense Policy Maritime Security National Security
Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

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