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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NATO’s southern flank is exposed. Portugal can help fortify it.

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
NATO’s southern flank is exposed. Portugal can help fortify it.

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
NATO’s southern flank is exposed. Portugal can help fortify it.

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

Jun 17, 2026

NATO’s southern flank is exposed. Portugal can help fortify it.

By Randi Charno Levine

The Alliance was not designed to focus only on its easter flank. Vulnerabilities to NATO’s south are accumulating faster than strategy is adapting.

Maritime Security NATO

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Jun 17, 2026

Braw in Financial Times on the threat of private subsea cables

By Elisabeth Braw

On June 17, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw published an article in Financial Times on how American hyperscalers are creating a national security risk for other countries be building their own subsea cables.

Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Jun 17, 2026

Braw in Foreign Policy on the effects of the uncertainty of the Iran ceasefire on shipping

By Elisabeth Braw

On June 17, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw published an article in Foreign Policy on how the uncertainty of the Trump administration’s ceasefire in Iran has not alleviated the constraints on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Maritime Security Middle East

UkraineAlert

Jun 16, 2026

Russia escalates war on Ukrainian heritage and national identity

By Mercedes Sapuppo

Russia this week bombed one of the most sacred religious sites in Ukraine, the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, marking the latest escalation in a Kremlin campaign to target the symbols of Ukrainian heritage and national identity, writes Mercedes Sapuppo.

Civil Society Conflict

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Jun 16, 2026

Braw in France24 on a joint British-French mission to restart shipping in the Strait of Hormuz

By Elisabeth Braw

On June 17, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was mentioned in France 24 about a joint British-French mission to help restart shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Maritime Security Middle East

Issue Brief

Jun 15, 2026

Updating the Democratic Transition Framework to chart a way forward in Venezuela

By Geoff Ramsey

To seize the opportunity for a democratic transition in Venezuela in the wake of Nicolás Maduro's January capture, the United States should update a power-sharing framework proposed in 2020 to serve as a road map for the restoration of Venezuela’s democratic institutions.

Americas Democratic Transitions

Dispatches

Jun 14, 2026

Experts react: The US and Iran just announced an interim peace deal. Here’s what we know so far.

By Atlantic Council experts

As details emerge, our experts are sharing their insights on what we know—and still don’t know—about the deal, and what to expect next.

Conflict Iran

Issue Brief

Jun 12, 2026

A renewed security and cooperation agenda for Colombia’s next government

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

As Colombia heads to its presidential runoff election June 21, the next government will inherit a security crisis that requires a renewed US-Colombia agenda for dismantling criminal governance structures and the financial networks that sustain them.

Americas Colombia

Dispatches

Jun 12, 2026

It’s not a ‘deal.’ But Trump’s memorandum with Iran can be the start of something bigger.

By Jonathan Panikoff

What appears to be emerging now is a rough outline and high-level explanation of the concepts that an eventual deal could include.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

Jun 12, 2026

The United States needs more amphibious ships at the ready

By Caleb Eames, Amy Cowley

A combined Amphibious Ready Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit bring a tremendous capability, but only if there are enough ships available.

Maritime Security Security & Defense
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Experts

Fellow

Abdelhak Bassou

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Disinformation

Staff

James Batchik

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Digital Policy

Staff

Imran Bayoumi

Associate Director

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Security & Defense

Millennium fellow

Arvid Bell

CEO and Co-Founder, Anadyr Horizon

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Asia Economy & Business

Fellow

Richard K. Bell

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Abdoul Salam Bello

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth
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