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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Kroenig interviewed on NPR on Iran’s state-sponsored piracy

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
Kroenig interviewed on NPR on Iran’s state-sponsored piracy

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
Kroenig interviewed on NPR on Iran’s state-sponsored piracy

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

In the News

Apr 13, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on NPR on Iran’s state-sponsored piracy

By Atlantic Council

On April 11, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on NPR on Iran's state-sponsored piracy in the Straight of Hormuz.

Iran Maritime Security

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

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 9, 2026

Braw in Forces News on Britain’s war readiness

By Elisabeth Braw

On April 9, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was quoted in Forces News in an article discussing whether Britain is prepared for war.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

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

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 9, 2026

Braw in The i Paper on Russian shadow fleet evasion off UK coast

By Elisabeth Braw

On April 9, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was quoted in The i Paper in an article describing how despite the UK threatening to seize shadow fleet vessels that help fund Russia’s war with Ukraine, the Universal sailed past the English coast.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

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
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Experts

Fellow

Matthew Rose

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Arms Control Climate Change & Climate Action

Fellow

Todd Rosenblum

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Cybersecurity Defense Policy

Staff

Jonathan Rosenstein

Assistant Director

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Israel

Fellow

Amanda J. Rothschild

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Iran

Fellow

Steven R. Rudder

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Indo-Pacific Maritime Security

Staff

Abigail Rudolph

Assistant Director

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy
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