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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The Senate just agreed to hand Trump a tariff weapon against Russia. Will he use it?

Report Sep 8, 2026

Preparing for and countering limited nuclear attacks in East Asia: Guardian Tiger III

By Markus Garlauskas with John Park and Kyoko Imai. Contributors: Andrew Brown and Jonathan Corrado

The risk of North Korea launching a limited nuclear attack will likely increase over the coming decade. The United States and its allies are not preparing adequately to deter and prevail in the face of such nuclear strikes.
Indo-Pacific Korea
The Senate just agreed to hand Trump a tariff weapon against Russia. Will he use it?

Dispatches Sep 1, 2026

Where and how Putin could expand his war in Europe beyond Ukraine

By Atlantic Council experts

The CIA director’s recent unannounced visit to Moscow has raised speculation about Russian plans to escalate attacks.
Conflict Eastern Europe
The Senate just agreed to hand Trump a tariff weapon against Russia. Will he use it?

Report Aug 27, 2026

AI and autonomy in contested operations

By Owen J. Daniels

Any potential major conflict the United States engages in will be shaped by AI and autonomous systems. US forces should expect their systems to operate in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) conditions imposed by jamming techniques, cyber-attacks, and anti-satellite capabilities designed to sever the connectivity and wreak havoc on military operations.
Artificial Intelligence 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

Fast Thinking

Aug 7, 2026

The Senate just agreed to hand Trump a tariff weapon against Russia. Will he use it?

By Atlantic Council

Our experts break down what exactly the Russia sanctions bill would accomplish and its prospects of becoming law.

Conflict Russia

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Aug 7, 2026

Braw in New York Times on disrupting Russian sea routes to Crimea

By Elisabeth Braw

On July 15, Elisabeth Braw was quoted in a New York Times article on the small Russian vessels bringing supplies to Crimea and their likely contents.

Europe & Eurasia Russia

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Aug 7, 2026

Braw in Politico on Kyiv’s drone triumphs

By Elisabeth Braw

On July 25, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw published an article in Politico about the importance of rightsizing the role of drones in a nation’s defense capabilities.

Europe & Eurasia Russia

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Aug 6, 2026

Braw in TRT World Now on Iran, Oman agreement on Strait of Hormuz

By Elisabeth Braw

On August 6, Elisabeth Braw was interviewed by TRT World Now to discuss the reported agreement of a shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman, and the implications for negotiations with the US.

Iran Middle East

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Aug 6, 2026

Braw in DW News on the Iran-Oman deal for the Strait of Hormuz

By Elisabeth Braw

On August 6, Elisabeth Braw was interviewed by DW News to discuss the potential Iran-Oman deal for how ships enter the Strait of Hormuz and implications of the agreement for ongoing US-Iran negotiations.

Iran Middle East

UkraineAlert

Aug 6, 2026

Ukraine cannot defeat Putin’s ballistic blitz by defensive measures alone

By Mykola Bielieskov

Putin is ramping up Russian ballistic missile production and clearly intends to bomb Ukraine into submission. If he is not stopped, the Ukrainian civilian population will pay a terrible price and Kyiv may be pushed toward capitulation, writes Mykola Bielieskov.

Defense Technologies European Union

UkraineAlert

Aug 6, 2026

We should not fear a post-Putin Russia

By Brian Mefford

Some believe a post-Putin Russia could become even more aggressive toward the West. However, past experience and current practicalities suggest that the next Russian ruler may be forced to seek a less hostile path, writes Brian Mefford.

Conflict European Union

Dispatches

Aug 6, 2026

The US Navy’s decision to reclassify 19 Virginia-class submarines is a breakthrough. Here’s why.

By Joshua VerGow and Abigail Rudolph

The redesignation reveals that the US Navy increasingly views distributed, survivable strike capability as a central mission for its undersea fleet.

Defense Technologies Maritime Security

Insights & Impact

Aug 5, 2026

Havrylov in Ukrinform: For the first time in Ukraine’s history, we are launching the licensed production of a defense system on Ukrainian soil

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Defense Industry

Dispatches

Aug 5, 2026

Russia will sacrifice its civilian economy on the altar of the war effort

By Charles Lichfield and Brendon Chen

As the Central Bank of Russia runs out of options and bad loans accumulate on balance sheets, the Kremlin continues to privilege war-linked sectors.

Conflict Economy & Business
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Experts

Fellow

Natasha Ahmed

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Industry

Fellow

Osamah Al Rawhani

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Bisher Al-Khasawneh

Distinguished Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Arabic Defense Policy

Fellow

Omar Al-Nidawi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Energy & Environment

Fellow

Alexander Alden

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy English
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Events

Online Event Thu, October 29, 2026 • 8:00 am ET

Building collective cognitive resilience: A cross-strait and beyond seminar
Artificial Intelligence Disinformation Indo-Pacific Japan
Public Event Fri, October 30, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

General Dagvin R. M. Anderson on US strategy and security in Africa
Africa Defense Policy Security & Defense
Public Event Fri, October 30, 2026 • 1:30 pm ET

Raj Panjabi on turning crisis into community
Coronavirus International Organizations Non-Traditional Threats Technology & Innovation
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