How Trump can apply his Middle East success to ending Russia’s war in Ukraine

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
How Trump can apply his Middle East success to ending Russia’s war in Ukraine

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
How Trump can apply his Middle East success to ending Russia’s war in Ukraine

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

New Atlanticist

Oct 20, 2025

How Trump can apply his Middle East success to ending Russia’s war in Ukraine

By John E. Herbst

Several lessons learned from the recent US-brokered cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas can be applied to ending Russia’s assault on Ukraine.

Conflict Israel

MENASource

Oct 20, 2025

Will the US achieve a ‘big, beautiful’ Iran deal or stall in homeostasis?

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali and Cranston Kline

The Gaza cease-fire showcased how when the US president gets personally involved, the seemingly impossible can become possible.

Iran Israel

In the News

Oct 17, 2025

Wieslander in Al Jazeera

Director for Northern Europe, Anna Wieslander, was interviewed October 17 in an Al Jazeera article on Russia’s economy, sanctions against it and how it impacts the war in Ukraine. Wieslander argues that US leadership has changed when it comes to addressing Russia as a threat to European security and warns that Europe will pay a higher […]

Defense Policy Northern Europe

MENASource

Oct 16, 2025

After the Gaza cease-fire, what’s next for the Houthis?

By Osamah Al Rawhani

Will the Houthis cease their regional hostilities? The brief response is yes—but likely, only for the time being.

Maritime Security Middle East

UkraineAlert

Oct 16, 2025

Putin seeks more foreign fighters amid mounting Russian losses in Ukraine

By David Kirichenko

With fewer and fewer Russians ready to volunteer for the war in Ukraine, Putin is seeking to recruit more foreign fighters from across Africa, Asia, and beyond, writes David Kirichenko.

Africa Americas

UkraineAlert

Oct 16, 2025

Ukraine’s drone sanctions are working but don’t expect a Russian revolt

By Christopher Isajiw

Ukraine's long-range drone strike campaign has brought Putin's invasion home to Russia but mounting domestic problems are unlikely to spark a rebellion against the Kremlin dictatorship, writes Christopher Isajiw.

Conflict Drones

Report

Oct 15, 2025

What Taiwan can learn from China’s gray-zone actions against the Philippines

By Chung-Yu Chou

China uses different tactics for different aims: slow but persistent maritime incursions off the coast of the Philippines and high-speed aerial harassment in Taiwanese airspace. But Manila’s responses offer useful lessons for Taipei. A new study of the Philippines’ experience shows what Taiwan can do to create limits on Chinese action without triggering open conflict.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Oct 15, 2025

Ackerman defends human oversight of battlefield decisions on Open Debate

By Atlantic Council

On October 3, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Elliot Ackerman was featured in an episode of Open Debate entitled "Wartime Kill Switch: Human or AI?" in which he defended human control over lethal battlefield decisions.  

Artificial Intelligence Defense Policy

Report

Oct 15, 2025

How the US and Europe can deter and respond to Russia’s chemical, biological, and nuclear threats

By Philippe Dickinson, Ryan Arick, Natasha Lander Finch

A willingness to use chemical weapons has long been a feature of Russian aggression, on the battlefield in Ukraine and on the streets of Europe. Will Russia escalate to the use of biological weapons? And what about the country’s nuclear saber-rattling? An in-depth study of how Russia uses these threats calls for a strong NATO response.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Oct 15, 2025

Twenty questions (and expert answers) about the next phase of an Israel-Hamas deal

By Atlantic Council experts

What will follow part one of the cease-fire deal brokered by the Trump administration? Atlantic Council experts share their answers.

Conflict Israel
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Experts

Fellow

Hans Binnendijk

Distinguished Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Sara Bjerg Moller

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Danish Europe & Eurasia

Millennium fellow

Dan Black

Principal Threat Analyst, NATO

Millennium Leadership Program

Cybersecurity Intelligence

Fellow

Nicholas Blanford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Michael Bociurkiw

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Ukraine International Organizations

Fellow

Joseph T. Bonivel Jr.

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies
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Events

Public Event Wed, November 5, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

A strategic review of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit
Economy & Business Indo-Pacific Security & Defense
Online Event Wed, November 5, 2025 • 5:00 pm ET

A next-generation agenda for South Korea-US-Australia security cooperation
Australia Defense Industry East Asia Indo-Pacific
Public Event Thu, November 6, 2025 • 11:00 am ET

Representative Adam Smith on how Congress will shape US defense policy

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, shares his priorities for the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and discusses how Congress can ensure the Pentagon meets today’s security challenges.

Security & Defense United States and Canada
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