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.

Explore
Two days of delays at major US airports show DHS not given the resources to do the job

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
Two days of delays at major US airports show DHS not given the resources to do the job

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
Two days of delays at major US airports show DHS not given the resources to do the job

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.

Learn more

Content

New Atlanticist

Mar 16, 2020

Two days of delays at major US airports show DHS not given the resources to do the job

By Thomas S. Warrick

DHS experts would have known in January, if not earlier, to begin urgent planning for the possibility of having to staff the screening of large numbers of incoming travelers at major airports around the country. All signs show that parts of this planning went well, but with one crucial failure: DHS was not given the resources necessary to scale the response to the president’s policy decision to screen arriving travelers from Europe.

Coronavirus Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Mar 16, 2020

What the coronavirus emergency means for the US-Iran conflict

By Kirsten Fontenrose

While the world is focused on the spread of a pandemic, the conflict between Iran and the United States is heating up. Without the laser-focused media attention of early January to temper the actions of both sides, we can expect to see riskier behavior and less concern for collateral damage.

Conflict Coronavirus

In the News

Mar 16, 2020

Lessons to learn about COVID-19 from responding to other outbreaks?

By Atlantic Council

On March 16, 2020 -- the Atlantic Council GeoTech Center Director, David Bray, did a live video discussion with Singularity University on the topic of "What Lessons Can We Learn About COVID-19 From Responding to Other Outbreaks?"

Coronavirus Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Mar 14, 2020

Ukraine agrees to dialogue with Russian-led republics

By Peter Dickinson

Ukrainian officials this week agreed to begin talks with representatives of Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine, marking a significant policy departure following six years of refusals to enter into direct dialogue with the breakaway regions.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Inflection Points

Mar 14, 2020

Why Trump should trigger NATO’s Article 5 vs. COVID-19

By Frederick Kempe

If NATO could bend Article 5 to combat a non-state terrorist actor striking the United States, why not also to combat COVID-19. Given current transatlantic divisions, there is far greater need now than after 9/11 for a symbolic gesture of unity.

Coronavirus European Union
gtc china great wall

Smart Partnerships Series

Mar 14, 2020

The dangers of decoupling

By Julian Mueller-Kaler

Two roundtables in Beijing and a third one in Shanghai brought together leaders from government, civil society, academia, and think tanks to discuss China's role as a global citizen, the country's use and development of artificial intelligence, and the implications of modern technologies for international relations.

Americas China

Smart Partnerships Series

Mar 14, 2020

The price of great power politics

By Julian Mueller-Kaler

Unlike previous gatherings where a majority of participants represented government institutions, the roundtable in Germany brought together business- and private-sector representatives. Together with policy experts, they discussed the emergence of new technologies, the rise of China, and the implications of a global AI race.

Americas China

Smart Partnerships Series

Mar 14, 2020

Europe’s third way

By Julian Mueller-Kaler

The Atlantic Council's endeavor to evaluate the implications of modern technologies for society and politics continued in Brussels, where the event was co-hosted by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS).

Americas China

Smart Partnerships Series

Mar 14, 2020

Tech cooperation at a precarious junction

By Julian Mueller-Kaler

The first roundtable of the series was held in Paris and brought together high-level delegations from the United States, China, and Europe for a wide-ranging discussion on emerging technologies.

Americas China

UkraineAlert

Mar 13, 2020

Six years of war fail to cure Putin’s Ukraine delusions

By Taras Kuzio

How do you make peace with an adversary who openly questions your right to exist? This is the challenge facing Ukraine as it seeks to end a war with Russia while confronting old imperial prejudices that continue to influence Russian policy-making.

Conflict Nationalism
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Nasredeen Abdulbari

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Distinguished 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

Nic Adams

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment Middle East

Fellow

Paul Adamson

Senior Advisor

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
Load More

Events

Public Event Thu, March 12, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Resilience in Security and Economics Dialogue
Central Europe Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy