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.

Explore
Russia’s Starlink substitute poses a security threat far beyond Ukraine

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
Russia’s Starlink substitute poses a security threat far beyond Ukraine

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
Russia’s Starlink substitute poses a security threat far beyond Ukraine

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.

Learn more

Content

UkraineAlert

Oct 15, 2026

Russia’s Starlink substitute poses a security threat far beyond Ukraine

By Joshua Stein

The Kremlin is currently in the process of deploying a satellite communications network known as Rassvet, creating concerns for the Russian invasion of Ukraine and for the wider international security environment, writes Joshua Stein.

China Conflict

UkraineAlert

Oct 15, 2026

Ukraine reports more battlefield gains as Putin’s invasion loses momentum

By David Kirichenko

Kyiv has reported further battlefield gains this week as the country’s Operation Vivaldi counteroffensive in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region continues to advance, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Oct 15, 2026

Toplines: Twenty-five years after anthrax, the US still is not prepared for a biological attack

By Robert Bradley, John T. O’Brien

The anthrax events of 2001 transpired twenty-five years ago. The US still needs better preparation against biological attacks.

National Security

Dispatches

Oct 14, 2026

Dispatch from Moldova: How to restore NATO’s deterrence against Russia’s escalating drone attacks

By Ian Brzezinski

Restoring deterrence will require a course correction in the West’s approach to Russia's escalating drone attacks.

Eastern Europe Moldova

Dispatches

Oct 14, 2026

Dispatch from the Gulf: Kuwait still wants Washington but is preparing for less

By Jonathan Panikoff

By sheer number of strikes, no country in the Gulf has been hit harder by Iran than the United Arab Emirates. But by exposure and impact, Kuwait may be at the greatest risk.

Middle East Security & Defense

UkraineAlert

Oct 13, 2026

Putin snubs Trump’s ceasefire as Russia aims to make Ukraine unlivable

By Maksym Beznosiuk, William Dixon

Hours after US President Donald Trump’s surprise Sunday announcement of an energy ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow, Russia responded by bombing a series of Ukrainian power plants, write Maksym Beznosiuk and William Dixon.

Conflict Drones

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Oct 11, 2026

Braw in GBNews on Trump’s diesel deal with Russia

By Elisabeth Braw

On October 11, Elisabeth Braw was interviewed on GBNews to discuss US President Donald Trump’s diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Europe Security & Defense

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Oct 11, 2026

Braw in New York Post on her new book, “Undersea War”

By Elisabeth Braw

On October 11, Elisabeth Braw was featured in the New York Post in an article discussing her newly released book, “Undersea War.”

Europe Maritime Security

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Oct 10, 2026

Braw in DW News on her new book, “Undersea War”

By Elisabeth Braw

On October 10, Elisabeth Braw was interviewed by DW News on her newly released book, “Undersea War.”

Europe Security & Defense

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Oct 9, 2026

Braw in The Times on her new book, ‘The Undersea War’

By Elisabeth Braw

On October 9, Elisabeth Braw was mentioned in The Times in a book review of her recently released book, ‘The Undersea War.’

Europe Security & Defense
Load More

Experts

Staff

Tess deBlanc-Knowles

Senior Director, Atlantic Council Technology Programs

Cyber Statecraft Initiative Democracy + Tech Initiative

Artificial Intelligence National Security

Millennium fellow

Meagan DeLano

International Business Development Manager, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

Global Leadership Center

Economy & Business Indo-Pacific

Fellow

John R. Deni

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Samuel Denney

Nonresident Fellow

Transatlantic Security Initiative

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Winnona DeSombre Bernsen

Nonresident Fellow

Cyber Statecraft Initiative

China Chinese

Staff

Peter Dickinson

Editor, UkraineAlert

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Civil Society
Load More

Events

Online Event Thu, October 29, 2026 • 8:00 am ET

Building collective cognitive resilience: A cross-strait and beyond seminar
Artificial Intelligence Disinformation Indo-Pacific Japan
Public Event Fri, October 30, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

General Dagvin R. M. Anderson on US strategy and security in Africa
Africa Defense Policy Security & Defense
Public Event Fri, October 30, 2026 • 1:30 pm ET

Raj Panjabi on turning crisis into community
Coronavirus International Organizations Non-Traditional Threats Technology & Innovation
Load More