Putin wants to capture Ukraine’s crucial fortress belt without a fight

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
Putin wants to capture Ukraine’s crucial fortress belt without a fight

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
Putin wants to capture Ukraine’s crucial fortress belt without a fight

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

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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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UkraineAlert

Aug 28, 2025

Putin wants to capture Ukraine’s crucial fortress belt without a fight

By Mykola Bielieskov

As US-led efforts to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine struggle to gain momentum, Vladimir Putin’s latest territorial demands include the surrender of strategically vital and heavily fortified Ukrainian land in the east of the country, writes Mykola Bielieskov.

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Aug 28, 2025

Russia attacks Zelenskyy’s legitimacy to derail US-led Ukraine peace talks

By Serhii Savelii

Moscow’s efforts to portray Zelenskyy as illegitimate fall apart when weighed against Ukraine’s Constitution and the country’s political practice, along with international precedents and legal tradition, writes Serhii Savelii.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Aug 28, 2025

Germany wants to double its defense spending. Where should the money go?

By Atlantic Council experts

After decades of Berlin underinvesting in its defense, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has plans to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe’s strongest military. 

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Aug 28, 2025

The Gulf’s dark horse: Why Oman can seize a global trade realignment

By Nic Adams

While economic uncertainty is gripping many countries around the world, Oman has remained a steadfast defense and economic partner of the United States.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Aug 27, 2025

When it comes to securing Ukraine, the US cannot stay on the sidelines

By Ian Brzezinski

Ensuring Ukraine’s security after a peace agreement will require a deterrent force with substantial presence in the country, including forces from the United States.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Aug 27, 2025

Punaro discusses the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Bloomberg Radio

By Atlantic Council

On August 5, MajGen Arnold Punaro (ret.), a Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow, discussed developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Bloomberg Radio.

Conflict Defense Industry

Issue Brief

Aug 27, 2025

Navigating the new normal: Strategic simultaneity, US Forces Korea flexibility, and alliance imperatives

By Bee Yun Jo

The future of deterrence on the Korean Peninsula—and indeed, the wider Indo-Pacific region—will hinge on Seoul’s ability to reframe US force realignments not as unilateral disengagements but as catalysts for action.

Defense Policy Korea

In the News

Aug 27, 2025

Arnold Punaro featured in RealClear Defense on restructuring the US military

By Atlantic Council

On August 26, MajGen Arnold Punaro (ret.), a Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow, published an article in RealClear Defense, titled "Restructuring Our Military for a Multi-Front War."

China Defense Policy

In the News

Aug 27, 2025

Hammer featured in the Albuquerque Journal on quantum technology

By Atlantic Council

On August 25, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Adam Hammer authored an article in the Albuquerque Journal, titled “A New Day for Quantum in New Mexico,” celebrating recent momentum in the state’s quantum sector.

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

New Atlanticist

Aug 26, 2025

Five questions (and expert answers) about where the US-South Korea alliance goes from here

By Atlantic Council experts

The US and South Korean presidents met on Monday in Washington to discuss a range of bilateral issues, from security to shipbuilding.

Korea Nuclear Deterrence
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Jon Wilks

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Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Leon Leskovec

Policy Advisor, Legislative Coordination Unit, EPP Group in the European Parliament

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Kayla T. Orta

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Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

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Daniel P. Erikson

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Online Event Fri, September 5, 2025 • 1:30 pm ET

How does Russia view negotiations with Trump and Ukraine?
Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Russia Security & Defense
Public Event Thu, September 11, 2025 • 12:00 pm ET

US-Iraq security partnership after Operation Inherent Resolve
Iraq Security & Defense
Public Event Wed, September 17, 2025 • 9:30 am ET

Implications of Middle East security trends for Latin America and the Caribbean
Conflict Latin America Middle East Non-Traditional Threats
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