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.

Content

MENASource

Dec 9, 2025

Is India losing clout in the Gulf?

By Jean-Loup Samaan

Until recently, Indian officials were careful not to pressure their Gulf partners on policies that ran counter to Delhi’s interests.

India Middle East

MENASource

Dec 9, 2025

Western policy must include Iran’s neglected peripheries

By Rob Macaire

Now is the time for Western and regional policymakers to form a clear-eyed view of how they should engage with Iran’s minorities.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Dec 9, 2025

Yevgeniya Gaber joins War on the Rocks to for a Black Sea regional outlook for 2026

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

Scorecard

Dec 8, 2025

Scowcroft Strategy Scorecard: Grading Trump’s second National Security Strategy

By Atlantic Council

The Trump administration recently released its new National Security Strategy, a document that represents a major departure from past strategies. Experts from our Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security hand out their grades.

National Security Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Dec 8, 2025

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: No Stabilization in Gaza Without Dismantling Hamas

By Atlantic Council

Conflict International Security Assistance Force

UkraineAlert

Dec 8, 2025

Ukraine’s wartime experience provides blueprint for infrastructure protection

By Oleksandr Bakalinskyi, Maggie McDonough

Since 2014, Ukraine’s critical infrastructure has faced sustained and increasingly sophisticated attacks but continues to function, adapt, and evolve, offering the world one of the most comprehensive case studies for resilience under unrelenting cyber-kinetic pressure, write Oleksandr Bakalinskyi and Maggie McDonough.

Conflict Cybersecurity

In the News

Dec 6, 2025

Kroenig on PBS News Weekend on the National Security Strategy

On December 6, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on “PBS News Weekend” about the Trump administration’s national security strategy. He discusses key takeaways and areas where the NSS marks a departure from past policy.

Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Dec 5, 2025

The cost of an unjust peace in Ukraine? An emboldened China.

By Phillip M. Ramirez

A peace deal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine that favors Russia could embolden China to take military action of its own.

China Conflict

New Atlanticist

Dec 5, 2025

Experts react: What Trump’s National Security Strategy means for US foreign policy

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts delve into the newly released document outlining the Trump administration’s principles and priorities for US foreign policy.

Defense Policy Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Dec 5, 2025

Gray quoted in Politico on the National Security Strategy

On December 5, Alexander B. Gray, a nonresident senior fellow with the GeoStrategy Initiative at the Scowcroft Center, was quoted in the Politico newsletter on the newly released US National Security Strategy. He called it “a fundamental break from 35 years of how America views the world.”

Defense Policy

Experts

Events