Six reasons for an optimistic 2020

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
Six reasons for an optimistic 2020

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
Six reasons for an optimistic 2020

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

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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

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Dec 22, 2019

Six reasons for an optimistic 2020

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Frederick Kempe</span>

Tis the season to be gloomy, when the world’s prognosticators provide their competing lists of the coming year’s top risks. And there are plenty of candidates, from Iran to North Korea, and from American elections to global warming. But acting on the advice of Winston Churchill, here are six sources of optimism for 2020.

Climate Change & Climate Action Conflict

MENASource

Dec 20, 2019

Staff cuts at US embassy Baghdad will not counter Iran

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Thomas S. Warrick</span>

The planned US staffing cuts at the embassy in Baghdad is likely to undermine US efforts to counter Iran and will leave a gap Iran is happy to continue to fill through economic, security, and political means.

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2019

Top ten risks of 2020

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Robert A. Manning</span>, <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Mathew Burrows</span>

2020 will likely bear more resemblance to the 1930s, as some of the developments which did not reach a denouement in the past year cross the finish line. Several simmering conflicts, symptoms of a global system under strain from US President Donald J. Trump’s “anti-globalist” America First doctrine, could well reach breakpoints in 2020. This may include a shift from the mere corroding of multilateral institutions and US alliances toward total dysfunction.

China International Norms

UkraineAlert

Dec 19, 2019

Putin’s imperial ambitions mean Ukraine must learn to live with frozen conflict

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Taras Kuzio</span>

Ukraine's President Zelenskyy says he will make painful concessions to achieve peace with Russia, but Putin's vision of Ukraine as part of Russia's historic heartlands means there is little room for compromise.

Conflict Geopolitics & Energy Security
The complete destruction in Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 18, 2019

Hof’s analysis of Susan Rice’s Syria comments

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">Frederic C. Hof</span>

Former national security advisor, Susan Rice, recently wrote an op-ed lamenting the lack of options in solving the Syrian crisis, much like Samantha Powers, however, their arguments do not hold up against scrutiny.

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

UkraineAlert

Dec 17, 2019

Paris impasse: Time for Zelenskyy to get real about Russia

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Oleksiy Goncharenko </span>

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's long-awaited first meeting with Vladimir Putin failed to provide a breakthrough towards peace, leading to calls for more realism in relations with Russia.

Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
Algerians protest election results

MENASource

Dec 17, 2019

Algerian election and legitimacy: Impossibility of change

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Karim Mezran and Alessia Melcangi</span>

The Algerian election lacks legitimacy and the military and political elite are using elections to foster an image of legitimacy which doesn't exist.

Libya Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Dec 17, 2019

Haftar closes in on Tripoli: Where is the international community?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert">David A. Wemer</span>

General Khalifa Haftar’s threat to advance his troops further into the capital of Tripoli proves that for the rebel Libyan commander, “there is only a military solution,” to the conflict between his forces and the United Nations-recognized Government of National Accord, according to Atlantic Council resident senior fellow Karim Mezran.

Conflict Libya

Event Recap

Dec 16, 2019

War Words in 2019: A stage play about the men and women who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Steven Grundman and Christian Trotti</span>

Walk with us...

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Dec 16, 2019

Bryza joins Indus News to discuss U.S. negotiations with the Taliban and President Trump’s plan to withdraw 4000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Atlantic Council</span>

Afghanistan Defense Policy
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Chelsey Slack

Deputy Head, Cyber Defense Section, NATO Headquarters

Millennium Leadership Program

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

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Ingrid Small

Deputy Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Middle East Security & Defense

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Margaret Smith

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Clifford Sobel

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Jake Sotiriadis

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

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Bartholomew Sparrow

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense
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Events

Public Event Thu, March 5, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

Navigating a new era in Syria: Strategic opportunities for the US and Turkey
Conflict Defense Policy Iraq Middle East