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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Matchett quoted in CNN on the Iran war’s threat to desalination plants and data center investment in the Gulf

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
Matchett quoted in CNN on the Iran war’s threat to desalination plants and data center investment in the Gulf

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
Matchett quoted in CNN on the Iran war’s threat to desalination plants and data center investment in the Gulf

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

Mar 30, 2026

Matchett quoted in CNN on the Iran war’s threat to desalination plants and data center investment in the Gulf

By Ginger Matchett

On March 30, GeoStrategy Initiative assistant director Ginger Matchett was quoted in “Trump helped build the Middle East’s AI ambitions. Could his war break them?” for CNN on the risk to data center investment because of the US-Israel-Iran war. She explained how the war is leaving data center investment up in the air because protection of data centers […]

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

Report

Mar 30, 2026

How the West lost the post-Cold War era

By Brian Whitmore

The latest Atlantic Council Eurasia Center report examines the lessons from the post-Cold War period and what the United States and its allies can do to counter Russian revanchism today.

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, CALIF., CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES 12.18.2025

Report

Mar 30, 2026

How NATO can integrate AI to prevail in future algorithmic warfare

By Dominika Kunertova

NATO’s competitive edge in the era of emerging and disruptive technologies will come from treating AI as a general-purpose enabler embedded across the Alliance’s digital backbone. Military AI does not generate new risks but creates more room for human error and miscalculation. Accidents and inadvertent escalation thus become more likely as military systems bring in more AI components.

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

In the News

Mar 28, 2026

Daniels published in RAND on AI competition between the US and China

By Atlantic Council

On March 26, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Owen Daniels published a policy paper for the RAND Corporation on “Open Models, Soft Power, and Spectrum of US-China Artificial Intelligence Competition.”

Artificial Intelligence China

Dispatches

Mar 27, 2026

Ten lessons from the first month of the Iran war

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts identify ten important takeaways from the Iran war so far, covering issues from global energy markets to the Iranian regime.

Conflict Economy & Business

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Mar 27, 2026

Braw in Politico on gulf shipping crews left to face the consequences

By Elisabeth Braw

On March 27, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was published in Politico with an article describing how shipping crews in the Gulf are left to face the consequences.

Crisis Management Middle East

Issue Brief

Mar 27, 2026

Deterrence in a two-peer world requires prudence

By Kingston Reif

Washington faces the challenge of preserving credible deterrence and reassuring allies against two potential nuclear peers—possibly acting together—without fueling dangerous instability or draining resources from other defense priorities. This will require a balanced approach that avoids counterproductive arsenal growth.

China Nuclear Deterrence

Issue Brief

Mar 27, 2026

Why US strategic nuclear forces must expand after New START

By Paul Amato

With the New START treaty's caps on the US nuclear force expired, the United States has an opportunity to increase and adapt its nuclear force to deter both Russia and China. Policymakers should seize it.

China Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Mar 26, 2026

Only additional pressure can push Putin toward peace

By Kira Rudik

With the Kremlin ignoring calls for a compromise peace, the only way to advance negotiations is by putting more pressure on Putin. Failure to do so could have disastrous consequences that would be felt far beyond the borders of Ukraine, writes Kira Rudik.

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Mar 26, 2026

Drone superpower Ukraine is an ideal tech partner for the Gulf states

By Anatoly Motkin

Kyiv's decision to help defend the Gulf states against Iranian drones by deploying teams of Ukrainian specialists is highlighting the scope for broader tech sector cooperation between Ukraine and the region, writes Anatoly Motkin.

Conflict Defense Technologies
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Experts

Fellow

Justin Lynch

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Artificial Intelligence Defense Policy

Staff

Asha M. George

Director

Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense​ Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Infrastructure Protection

Fellow

Rob Macaire

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Iran Middle East

Staff

Shelby Magid

Deputy Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Human Rights

Fellow

Marek Magierowski

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Millennium fellow

Aria Mahdion

Director, Strategic Development, General Atomics

Millennium Leadership Program

Defense Industry Defense Technologies
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