The fall of Assad has opened a door. But can Syria seize the moment?

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
The fall of Assad has opened a door. But can Syria seize the moment?

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
The fall of Assad has opened a door. But can Syria seize the moment?

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

Report

Jun 2, 2025

The fall of Assad has opened a door. But can Syria seize the moment?

By Qutaiba Idlbi, Charles Lister, and Marie Forestier

This report presents a realistic and holistic vision for Syria's transition, recovery, and its reintegration into the international system.

Civil Society Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2025

Dispatch from Kyiv: Ukraine’s daring drone attack gives Trump leverage against Putin

By John E. Herbst

Ukraine’s June 1 drone strikes against five bases across Russia underscored its ingenuity and may help shape the negotiations to come.

Conflict Russia

Issue Brief

May 30, 2025

New presidents and new nuclear developments test the United States–Republic of Korea alliance

By Heather Kearney, Amanda Mortwedt Oh

In the coming years, the US-South Korea (Republic of Korea, or ROK) alliance is likely to be tested in at least three fundamental ways: by a concerning growth in North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile weapons program; by changes to ROK defense capabilities and structures, including the establishment of ROK Strategic Command (ROKSTRATCOM); and by potential strategy and policy changes under new US and ROK political administrations.

Arms Control Elections

New Atlanticist

May 30, 2025

How NATO’s eastern flank is setting the standard for collective defense

By Justina Budginaite-Froehly

NATO's eastern flank countries have shown that regional coordination can transform vulnerabilities into strategic assets that enhance deterrence and operational readiness.

Central Europe Defense Industry

Issue Brief

May 30, 2025

The frontier is the front line: On climate resilience for infrastructure and supplies in Canada’s Arctic

By Jeffrey Reynolds, Kristen Taylor

The front lines of strategic competition now run through the Arctic. Ottawa must do more to enhance its military readiness and infrastructure preparedness in the region.

Climate Change & Climate Action Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

May 29, 2025

UN probe: Russia’s ‘human safari’ in Ukraine is a crime against humanity

By Peter Dickinson

UN investigators have concluded that a coordinated Russian campaign of deadly drone strikes targeting civilians in southern Ukraine's Kherson region is a crime against humanity, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Drones

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2025

Five questions (and expert answers) on the state of the Netanyahu government

By Atlantic Council

The Israeli prime minister is facing increasing pressure from within his country and in his government coalition as well as from abroad.

Conflict Israel

UkraineAlert

May 29, 2025

Judicial reform must be at the heart of Ukraine’s postwar recovery

By Oleksandr Vasiuk

Amid the horror and the trauma of Russia’s ongoing invasion, Ukrainians now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve transformational change in the country’s justice system. We must not miss this chance, writes Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Vasiuk.

Civil Society Conflict

In the News

May 29, 2025

Michta in 19FortyFive, RealClearDefense, and RealClearWorld on Putin’s strategic objectives in Ukraine

On May 29, Andrew Michta, senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative, was published in 19FortyFive on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambition to restore “Russia’s imperial dominion.” He argues the Trump administration has failed to bring an end to the war in Ukraine because it does not fully grasp Putin’s worldview and warns that diminishing support […]

Europe & Eurasia NATO

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2025

Welcome to the long war: Why a Ukraine deal was never realistic

By Brian Whitmore

There is no deal to be had with Russia on Ukraine—there never has been, and there never will be.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
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Tobias Ellwood

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GeoStrategy Initiative

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

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Alexander B. Gray

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GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

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Alexandre Marques Pinho

Adviser to the Minister, Portugal Ministry of Defence

Millennium Leadership Program

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

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Nic Adams

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment Middle East

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Daniel P. Erikson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

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Emily E. Kim

Project Assistant

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Korea Security & Defense
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Online Event Wed, June 18, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

The diplomats’ roundtable: Iran and Israel at war
Iran Israel Security & Defense
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The societal value of religious freedom: An integral human development approach
Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding