A primer on the proliferation of offensive cyber capabilities

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
A primer on the proliferation of offensive cyber capabilities

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
A primer on the proliferation of offensive cyber capabilities

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

Issue Brief

Mar 1, 2021

A primer on the proliferation of offensive cyber capabilities

By Winnona DeSombre, Michele Campobasso, Dr. Luca Allodi, Dr. James Shires, JD Work, Robert Morgus, Patrick Howell O’Neill, and Dr. Trey Herr

Offensive cyber capabilities run the gamut from sophisticated, long-term disruptions of physical infrastructure to malware used to target human rights journalists. As these capabilities continue to proliferate with increasing complexity and to new types of actors, the imperative to slow and counter their spread only strengthens.

Arms Control Conflict

Report

Mar 1, 2021

Countering cyber proliferation: Zeroing in on Access-as-a-Service

By Winnona DeSombre, James Shires, JD Work, Robert Morgus, Patrick Howell O’Neill, Luca Allodi, and Trey Herr

The proliferation of offensive cyber capabilities (OCC) presents an expanding set of risks to states and challenges commitments to protect openness, security, and stability in cyberspace. Access as a Service firms offer various forms of “access” to target data or systems, and through these business practices are creating and selling OCC at an alarming rate. It is imperative that governments reevaluate their approach to countering the proliferation of OCC.

Arms Control Cybersecurity

In the News

Feb 28, 2021

Herbst in The National Interest: Resisting Russia

By Atlantic Council

Politics & Diplomacy Russia

In the News

Feb 28, 2021

Khoury quoted in Al Jazeera on the fight for Marib in Yemen
Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

Op-Ed

Feb 26, 2021

Akbar in The Washington Post: Afghans are living in terror. That must change for peace.

By Shaharzad Akbar

"It’s now been a year since the United States signed an agreement with the Taliban. Afghans were expecting peace, but one of the most tangible changes has been an increase in targeted killings, mostly unclaimed, that have created an environment of terror and fear," writes Shaharzad Akbar in The Washington Post Opinion.

Afghanistan Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

UkraineAlert

Feb 26, 2021

Why Ukraine sanctioned Putin’s ally Medvedchuk

By Andriy Yermak

Ukraine has introduced a number of measures during February 2021 to restrict the influence of Vladimir Putin's closest Ukrainian ally, Viktor Medvedchuk.

Conflict Disinformation

In the News

Feb 26, 2021

Ashford in Inkstick: It’s time to leave Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

On February 26, Emma Ashford published an opinion piece on the future of U.S. presence in Afghanistan in Inkstick. “It’s not often that President Donald Trump made life better for his successor. But Afghanistan may be the rare exception. After a twenty-year war, the Trump administration’s deal with the Taliban offers the opportunity for removal […]

Afghanistan National Security

In the News

Feb 26, 2021

Manning in the National Interest: Offshore balancing strategy can correct America’s Middle East approach

By Atlantic Council

Robert Manning writes in the National Interest about how the United States’s approach to the Middle East requires a new mindset.

Defense Policy English

In the News

Feb 26, 2021

Khoury quoted in TRT World on the Houthis’ fight for Marib
Conflict Middle East

MENASource

Feb 26, 2021

Experts React: US airstrike in Syria targets Iran-backed militias

By Atlantic Council

On February 25, the US military carried out airstrikes in eastern Syria that targeted Iran-backed Shia militias. The move is the first military action under the Joe Biden Administration. The retaliatory strike comes after a rocket attack on February 15 near the Erbil Airport that killed a US military contractor and injured several, including a US service member. With nuclear negotiations on the horizon, what will this mean for the Biden administration’s ongoing effort to re-engage Iran?

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
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Experts

Fellow

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Middle East National Security

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic China

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Paul Adamson

Senior Advisor

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Anca Agachi

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Africa Conflict

Fellow

Oluwayemisi Ajumobi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Technology & Innovation Non-Traditional Threats
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Events

Online Event Tue, June 10, 2025 • 12:00 pm ET

Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis on Russia’s war and The Hague summit
Conflict International Organizations NATO
Public Event Fri, June 13, 2025 • 10:30 am ET

Strengthening US-Caribbean cooperation on natural disaster readiness 
Americas Caribbean Climate Change & Climate Action Crisis Management
Online Event Fri, June 20, 2025 • 9:30 am ET

The societal value of religious freedom: An integral human development approach
Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding