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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What to expect at the Trump-Xi summit in Washington

Report Sep 8, 2026

Preparing for and countering limited nuclear attacks in East Asia: Guardian Tiger III

By Markus Garlauskas with John Park and Kyoko Imai. Contributors: Andrew Brown and Jonathan Corrado

The risk of North Korea launching a limited nuclear attack will likely increase over the coming decade. The United States and its allies are not preparing adequately to deter and prevail in the face of such nuclear strikes.
Indo-Pacific Korea
What to expect at the Trump-Xi summit in Washington

Dispatches Sep 1, 2026

Where and how Putin could expand his war in Europe beyond Ukraine

By Atlantic Council experts

The CIA director’s recent unannounced visit to Moscow has raised speculation about Russian plans to escalate attacks.
Conflict Eastern Europe
What to expect at the Trump-Xi summit in Washington

Report Aug 27, 2026

AI and autonomy in contested operations

By Owen J. Daniels

Any potential major conflict the United States engages in will be shaped by AI and autonomous systems. US forces should expect their systems to operate in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) conditions imposed by jamming techniques, cyber-attacks, and anti-satellite capabilities designed to sever the connectivity and wreak havoc on military operations.
Artificial Intelligence 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

Sep 21, 2026

What to expect at the Trump-Xi summit in Washington

By Melanie Hart

The success of the meeting will likely hinge on just a few important issues, including artificial intelligence safety, Taiwan, and trade.

China Critical Minerals

MENASource

Sep 21, 2026

The Syria policy the US got wrong—and the bittersweet moment Washington finally got right

By Wa’el Alzayat

A former State Department official dissects how the US helped defeat ISIS but didn't protect the Syrian people.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

In the News

Sep 21, 2026

Rodriguez published in War on the Rocks on corporate governance gaps in federal foreign equity investments

On September 21, Forward Defense Commission Director and Senior Advisor Stephen Rodriguez was published in War on the Rocks, arguing that as the US government increasingly takes equity stakes in foreign companies in the critical minerals and defense sectors, it must compile and apply a set of standardized US corporate governance conditions to secure supply […]

Defense Industry Security & Defense

MENASource

Sep 21, 2026

Don’t talk about optimism in Syria, talk about action

By Arwa Damon

It’s been twenty months since Bashar al-Assad’s fall. People expect more, and patience is wearing thin.

Democratic Transitions Inclusive Growth

In the News

Sep 20, 2026

In Amwaj media, Matthew Bryza comments on the Mecca Agreement and the question of it extending to the South Caucuses
Security & Defense The Caucasus

Fast Thinking

Sep 19, 2026

What the Greenland deal means for the transatlantic alliance

By Atlantic Council

Our experts unpack what we know and what to expect from the announced security deal involving the US, Denmark, and Greenland.

Greenland Northern Europe

UkraineAlert

Sep 17, 2026

Ukraine can do more to counter Russia’s illicit finance threat

By Matthew McGlynn

For more than four years, Ukraine has impressed global audiences with the country’s ability to defend itself against Russia on land, at sea, and in the air. Illicit finance is another important front in the fight against Russian aggression, writes Matthew McGlynn.

Conflict Cybersecurity

UkraineAlert

Sep 17, 2026

Putin is escalating against NATO but a Baltic incursion remains unlikely

By James Rice

The recent escalation in Russian gray zone aggression across Europe has sparked a lively debate over how far the Kremlin may be prepared to go, but a Russian attack on the Baltic states remains unlikely, writes James Rice.

Conflict European Union

Dispatches

Sep 17, 2026

Macron won the argument over European strategic autonomy. Will better European defense come of it?

By Aurélie Vittot

Delivering real capabilities is where this vision of strategic autonomy will succeed or fail.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Sep 17, 2026

Braw in BFBS on the importance of undersea cables

By Elisabeth Braw

On September 17, Elisabeth Braw was quoted in BFBS in an article on the growing threat to the global maritime order.

Europe Security & Defense
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Experts

Staff

Emily Cheesman

Project Assistant

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Europe & Eurasia Nuclear Deterrence

Expert

Ji-Ting Chen

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

China Freedom and Prosperity

Fellow

Deborah Cheverton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Industry

Fellow

Kevin P. Chilton

Distinguished Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Cybersecurity Defense Industry

Fellow

Sungmin Cho

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Policy

Fellow

Chung-Yu Chou

Former Visiting Military Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Conflict
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Events

Online Event Thu, October 29, 2026 • 8:00 am ET

Building collective cognitive resilience: A cross-strait and beyond seminar
Artificial Intelligence Disinformation Indo-Pacific Japan
Public Event Fri, October 30, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

General Dagvin R. M. Anderson on US strategy and security in Africa
Africa Defense Policy Security & Defense
Public Event Fri, October 30, 2026 • 1:30 pm ET

Raj Panjabi on turning crisis into community
Coronavirus International Organizations Non-Traditional Threats Technology & Innovation
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