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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Ten questions (and expert answers) on the final withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

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
Ten questions (and expert answers) on the final withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

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
Ten questions (and expert answers) on the final withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

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

MENASource

Sep 9, 2026

Ten questions (and expert answers) on the final withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts unpack what the US withdrawal from Iraq means for the Middle East and beyond.

Iraq Security & Defense

Dispatches

Sep 9, 2026

The most valuable legacy that the 9/11 generation can leave behind

By Tom Ridge

The former Pennsylvania governor and Department of Homeland Security secretary reflects on the twenty-fifth anniversary of September 11, 2001.

Civil Society Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Sep 9, 2026

Woolf in Orbis on the role of nuclear norms in an era of renewed competition

By Atlantic Council

On July 20, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Amy Woolf published an article in Orbis titled “Nuclear Norms in an Era of Renewed Nuclear Competition.” She highlights that the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) in February 2026 has left nuclear weapons states without formal systems that reduce the risk of […]

Arms Control Nuclear Deterrence

Issue Brief

Sep 8, 2026

Turning early alignment into a durable US-Colombia partnership

By Carolina Barco and Kevin Whitaker

One month into President Abelardo de la Espriella’s administration, early alignment with the Trump administration creates an opening to strengthen US-Colombia cooperation on security, trade and investment, regional stability, and Venezuela’s recovery.

Americas Colombia

UkraineAlert

Sep 8, 2026

Ukrainian drone strikes are disarming Russia’s energy weapon

By Ana Lejava

For years, Russia wielded its energy capacity as a weapon against its neighbors to manipulate, coerce, and control. Ukraine’s strategic bombing campaign is now turning this energy weapon against Moscow itself, writes Ana Lejava.

Central Asia Conflict

UkraineAlert

Sep 8, 2026

Putin welcomes Trump’s peace envoys but has no intention of ending the war

By Peter Dickinson

Trump’s envoys continue to discuss win-win scenarios, but Putin is playing a zero sum game. His invasion of Ukraine is not a land grab or a geopolitical real estate deal. It is an attempt to reverse the Soviet collapse and revive the Russian Empire, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Disinformation

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Sep 8, 2026

Braw in Foreign Policy on Germany’s increasing recognition of Russian sabotage

By Elisabeth Braw

On September 8, Elisabeth Braw was published in Foreign Policy discussing how Germany, and other European countries, are increasingly willing to recognize Russian sabotage.

Europe Security & Defense

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

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Sep 5, 2026

Braw in The Sun on Germany is increasingly a target for Russian sabotage

By Elisabeth Braw

On September 5, Elisabeth Braw was interviewed by The Sun to discuss how Germany is increasingly the target of Russian sabotage.

Europe Security & Defense

Dispatches

Sep 4, 2026

How the US can support Colombia’s post-earthquake recovery—for the long term

By Enrique Millán-Mejía and Raúl González-Pietrogiovanna

The United States has a chance to support Colombia’s path to recovery in a way that strengthens resilience and reinforces one of its most important partnerships in the region.

Colombia Crisis Management
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Experts

Fellow

Andrew Bernard

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

NATO Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Phyllis Berry

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Europe & Eurasia France

Staff

Charlotte Bertrand

Program Assistant

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Industry

Fellow

Hans Binnendijk

Distinguished Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Millennium fellow

Stephen Bittner

Defense Fellow, US Air Force

Millennium Leadership Program

Defense Industry Security & Defense

Fellow

Sara Bjerg Moller

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Danish Europe & Eurasia
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Events

Public Event Wed, September 16, 2026 • 12:15 pm ET

Looking north: Arctic security strategy for a new era
Security & Defense
Online Event Tue, September 22, 2026 • 4:15 pm ET

Spain’s foreign minister on European security and the transatlantic alliance
Europe NATO Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense
Online Event Tue, September 22, 2026 • 5:30 pm ET

President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Syria’s future, reconstruction, and regional role

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa will discuss his vision for Syria’s future and his government’s priorities for reconstruction, economic recovery, and institutional reform.

Economy & Business Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions Geopolitics & Energy Security
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