The future of US-Iraq relations

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 future of US-Iraq relations

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 future of US-Iraq relations

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 briefs and reports

Apr 27, 2020

The future of US-Iraq relations

By C. Anthony Pfaff

This Atlantic Council Iraq Initiative report by Nonresident Senior Fellow Dr. C. Anthony Pfaff analyzes the current challenges in the US-Iraq relationship and presents policy recommendations.

Iraq
Middle East

New Atlanticist

Apr 27, 2020

Something is wrong with our bloody ships today

By Harlan Ullman

Something is wrong in the US Navy today and the problems are not only naval. Some extend throughout the Department of Defense.

Maritime Security
United States and Canada
Nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier

In the News

Apr 26, 2020

Brzezinski and Skaluba cited in the Economist on COVID-19’s impact on defense spending

By Ian Brzezinski and Chris Skaluba

Ian Brzezinski and Chris Skaluba quoted on the likelihood that COVID-19 will drive down defense spending and the implications that has for reigniting the burden-sharing debate in NATO.

Coronavirus
Defense Industry

In the News

Apr 24, 2020

Cunningham joins USIP Inaugural Afghanistan Peace Process Study Group to discuss US Policy Recommendations for the Peace Process

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan
Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Apr 24, 2020

Afghanistan needs a ceasefire now to battle COVID-19

By Marika Theros and Sahar Halaimzai

COVID-19 will not wait for negotiators to reach a humanitarian ceasefire. This is not the time to place political goals above public health or to exploit divisions. A coordinated plan of action, grounded in a public health perspective and which prioritizes pausing the violence, is necessary in order to save lives. Any actor using the pandemic to score political points or to strengthen their hand at the negotiation table cannot be truly committed to peace in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan
Conflict
IRGCN Vessels Conduct Unsafe, Unprofessional Interaction with U.S. Naval Forces in Arabian Gulf

IranSource

Apr 23, 2020

Trump’s Twitter threat to destroy Iranian boats isn’t guidance

By John W. Miller

In a tweet on April 22, US President Donald Trump announced that he ordered the US Navy to destroy any Iranian boats harassing US warships. While the tweet may seem like new and escalatory guidance from the Commander in Chief to his forces in the region and an indication of a substantial increase in tensions between the United States and Iran, it is neither.

Iran
Maritime Security

UkraineAlert

Apr 23, 2020

Does Putin want peace?

By Peter Dickinson

The election of Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Ukraine's new president in April 2019 raised hopes of a breakthrough towards peace in the country's war with Russia. One year on, it is clear that only Putin can end the conflict.

Conflict
Russia

New Atlanticist

Apr 23, 2020

NATO’s defense depends on mobility

By David A. Wemer

Military mobility—the ability to move massive amounts of troops and military equipment across territory and national borders rapidly—has warranted increasing attention from NATO policymakers over the last few years, but significant legal, diplomatic, and logistical challenges still need to be overcome—not to mention the sudden impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “We have made some real progress,” explained US Army Europe Commander General Christopher Cavoli, “but there is a bit of work left to be done.”

NATO

Press Release

Apr 23, 2020

Atlantic Council releases landmark report assessing European military mobility

Task force comprised of former and current senior defense and security officials from Europe and the United States recommend strengthening military mobility in Europe.

Europe & Eurasia
Security & Defense
gtc telescope city horizon foresight

In the News

Apr 23, 2020

Foresight and democracy during a period of growing polarization, turbulence, and misinformation

By Atlantic Council

On April 23, 2020, Sheila Ronis, Leon Fuerth, Lin Wells, and David Bray held a live virtual roundtable on the topic of "Foresight and Democracy During a Period of Growing Polarization, Turbulence, and Misinformation?"

Civil Society
Coronavirus
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Experts

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Dean Wilkening

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Technologies Missile Defense

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John T. O’Brien

Associate Director of Research

Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense​ Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Security & Defense Space Security

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Stanislava Mladenova

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Afghanistan Conflict

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Brett McGurk

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Middle East

Fellow

Erin K. McFee

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Latin America National Security

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Ibrahim Al-Assil

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict
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Events

Public Event Tue, February 17, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Turkey’s evolving role in a new global geopolitical and security order
Conflict Europe & Eurasia Iran Iraq
Public Event Wed, February 18, 2026 • 1:30 pm ET

Report launch: Negotiating with Putin’s Russia
Conflict Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Russia
Public Event Fri, February 20, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 US-Caribbean Maritime and Ports Forum
Americas Artificial Intelligence Caribbean Climate Change & Climate Action