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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Washington needs a ‘Plan Venezuela’ before it’s too late

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
Washington needs a ‘Plan Venezuela’ before it’s too late

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
Washington needs a ‘Plan Venezuela’ before it’s too late

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

Apr 12, 2026

Washington needs a ‘Plan Venezuela’ before it’s too late

By James Story and David Bellon

Using Plan Colombia as a model, the United States should commit to a long-term, well-funded effort to bring security to Venezuela.

Colombia Economy & Business

In the News

Apr 11, 2026

Trump Must Break Tehran’s Machinery of Coercion

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Apr 10, 2026

Operation Overflow: How to break Iran’s grip over the Strait of Hormuz

By Landon Derentz

The US and its Gulf partners need an infrastructure strategy to bypass the strait entirely, on the scale of projects undertaken during World War II.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran

Dispatches

Apr 10, 2026

Dispatch from Vilnius: Warfare is evolving rapidly. Here’s how NATO can keep up.

By David Julazadeh, Julia Salabert

The most important change is that the cost barrier to generating strategic effects has dropped dramatically.

Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Apr 9, 2026

Ukraine is winning the drone war with strike campaign behind Russian lines

By Mykola Bielieskov

Ukraine has regained the initiative from Russia in the world's first full-scale drone war by launching a campaign of mid-range drone strikes aimed at undermining the logistics supporting Putin's invasion, writes Mykola Bielieskov.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Apr 9, 2026

Recognizing the role of propaganda in Russia’s infrastructure of aggression

By Anna Vyshniakova, Jais Adam-Troian, Kristina Hook 

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine demonstrates that propaganda plays a more important part than ever in modern war. Recognizing propaganda as part of Russia’s infrastructure of military aggression is an essential step toward countering it effectively, write Anna Vyshniakova, Jais Adam-Troian, and Kristina Hook. 

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Apr 9, 2026

Ukraine continues remarkable rise from aid recipient to security provider

By Peter Dickinson

President Zelenskyy has recently signed a series of landmark security partnerships with countries across the Middle East, underlining wartime Ukraine's remarkable rise from aid recipient to international security provider, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Industry

In the News

Apr 9, 2026

Matchett in AFP, France 24, and Arab News on the consequences of bombing Iran’s power plants

By Ginger Matchett

On April 8, GeoStrategy Initiative assistant director Ginger Matchett was quoted in “The consequences of bombing Iran’s power stations” for AFP on the risks of attacking civilian critical infrastructure if President Trump follow through on his “power plant day” threat. She and Joseph Webster argued that targeting civilian infrastructure in Iran is strategically ineffective for […]

Critical Infrastructure Policy Energy & Environment

In the News

Apr 9, 2026

Matchett in The Economic Times, Hindustan Times, Nepal News, The Express Tribune, on warning against US striking Iranian critical infrastructure

By Ginger Matchett

On April 7, GeoStrategy Initiative assistant director Ginger Matchett was quoted in “Atlantic Council warns: Hitting Iran’s power grid risks humanitarian disaster” for The Economic Times on President Trump’s “power plant day” threat. She and Joseph Webster argued that targeting civilian infrastructure in Iran is strategically ineffective and would have devasting spillover effects. They were […]

Critical Infrastructure Policy Energy & Environment

MENASource

Apr 9, 2026

Egypt’s foreign minister: One cannot secure waterways ‘while ignoring the political order of the states’ along the shore

By Maisoon H. Kafafy

Maisoon H. Kafafy reached out to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty for his thoughts on this turbulent moment and the instability in the Horn of Africa.

East Africa Ethiopia
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Experts

Fellow

Leah Scheunemann

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

NATO Security & Defense

Fellow

Margaritis Schinas

Distinguished Fellow

Europe Center

English European Union

Fellow

Kaley Scholl

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Policy

Staff

Emma Schroeder

Nonresident Fellow

Cyber Statecraft Initiative

Conflict Cybersecurity

Fellow

Wayne Schroeder

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Arms Control Defense Policy

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Raphaela Schweiger

Director, Global Issues, Robert Bosch Foundation

Millennium Leadership Program

Europe & Eurasia Human Rights
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Events

Public Event Fri, April 17, 2026 • 11:45 am ET

The British ambassador to the US on Euro-Atlantic security and the Middle East
Europe & Eurasia Iran Middle East NATO
Public Event Tue, April 28, 2026 • 10:15 am ET

Belgium’s defense minister on the future of transatlantic security relations
Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia NATO Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

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