Our inspiration: Brent Scowcroft

1925-2020

Neil-R.-Brown

The Scowcroft Center honors the legacy of service of General Brent Scowcroft. The Center embodies his ethos of nonpartisan commitment to the cause of security, support for US leadership in cooperation with allies and partners, and dedication to the mentorship of the next generation of leaders.

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Scowcroft Center initiatives

Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

The Scowcroft Strategy Initiative serves to directly advance the Scowcroft Center’s core mission by developing sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and the world. Its competencies in long-range foresight and strategy development are vital assets to government and business leaders as they navigate a complex and unpredictable world. Through its work, the initiative strives to revitalize, adapt, and defend a rules-based international system in order to foster peace, prosperity, and freedom for decades to come.

Transatlantic Security Initiative

The Transatlantic Security Initiative (TSI) brings together senior officials and experts from Europe and North America to share insights, strengthen cooperation, and develop innovative approaches to the key challenges facing NATO and the transatlantic community. Through high-profile public convenings, off-the-record strategy sessions, war-gaming, digital engagement, and content-rich publications, the initiative directly advances the Council’s core mission of informing the transatlantic security debate.

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

The Indo-Pacific Security Initiative (IPSI) develops purposeful programming designed to create an Atlantic-Pacific Community that can adapt, revitalize, and defend the rules-based international order in Asia. The effort is grounded in a dual approach of providing fresh perspectives on traditional issues (regional security and political-economic architecture) while assessing a new agenda of non-traditional topics (cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things) to develop new strategies and policies.

Forward Defense

Forward Defense generates ideas and connects stakeholders in the defense ecosystem to promote an enduring military advantage for the United States, its allies, and partners. Our work identifies the defense strategies, capabilities, and resources the United States needs to deter and, if necessary, prevail in future conflict.

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

The Atlantic Council’s work on Middle East security honors the legacy of Brent Scowcroft and his tireless efforts to build a new security architecture for the region. Our work in this area addresses the full range of security threats and challenges including the danger of interstate warfare, the role of terrorist groups and other nonstate actors, and the underlying security threats facing countries in the region.
Flyer for So what's the strategy? with Matthew Kroenig

Our new ACTV original series, ‘So what’s the strategy?’ with Matthew Kroenig, dives into whether the United States and its allies have an effective strategy to address today’s global challenges. Tune in to watch US and UK officials evaluate the strategy for China.

Watch on ACTV
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Apr 23, 2024

The war in Ukraine could reach a decision point by the NATO summit. Policymakers need to prepare now.

By Andrew A. Michta

Russia has launched its third major mobilization wave, which could result in battlefield gains right as NATO meets in Washington on July 9-11.
Conflict Defense Policy
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Apr 19, 2024

Great power competition is back. What does that mean for US special operations forces?

By Alyxandra Marine

With their wide array of capabilities, US special operations forces can play a central role in strategic competition.
China Conflict
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Memo to… Apr 18, 2024

Memo to the president: The United States needs a new strategic approach fit for a new geopolitical era

By General (ret.) Wesley K. Clark

The urgent task before American leaders is to renew the foundations of US power, ensuring that the country’s power of example is matched by the example of its power.
National Security Security & Defense
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Apr 17, 2024

Pax Americana vs. autonomy: How the US and EU defense industrial strategies diverge

By Kathryn Levantovscaia

This is the first year in which both the United States and the European Union have formally introduced defense industrial strategies.
Defense Industry Defense Policy
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Apr 12, 2024

As Sogavare seeks reelection in the Solomon Islands, China’s influence is on the ballot

By Parker Novak

The April 17 elections in the Solomon Islands will determine whether the country doubles down on its ties with China or changes course.
Economy & Business Elections
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Apr 11, 2024

Is the United States falling behind the North Korean ICBM threat? Congress needs answers.

By Robert Soofer

Washington must not wait until Pyongyang is regularly test-launching ICBMs with multiple re-entry vehicles and countermeasures to improve US defenses.
Defense Technologies Korea
all commentary & analysis
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Issue Brief Apr 5, 2024

Accelerating transatlantic defense innovation in an era of strategic competition

By John T. Watts

NATO’s warfighting edge will not be sufficient for the transatlantic community to weather today’s military and geopolitical realities.
Defense Technologies NATO
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Issue Brief Mar 29, 2024

Bolstering cooperation among Quad and Pacific Island countries

By Parker Novak, Kyoko Imai

As the Pacific Islands’ relevance grows, there’s an influx of diplomatic attention and development assistance as external powers seek to curry favor with the sixteen countries. Australia, India, Japan, and the United States (the Quad) seeks to bolster regional engagement to address key regional issues including climate, connectivity, economic development, and maritime security.
Australia Climate Change & Climate Action
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Issue Brief Mar 14, 2024

Leveraging generative artificial intelligence to outcompete strategic rivals

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Andrew A. Michta

The United States and its allies must leverage generative artificial intelligence to outcompete strategic rivals.
China International Organizations
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Report Mar 7, 2024

Stealth, speed, and adaptability: The role of special operations forces in strategic competition

By Clementine G. Starling and Alyxandra Marine

Clementine G. Starling and Alyxandra Marine discuss how special operations forces enhance US readiness in an era of strategic competition.
Conflict Defense Policy
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Report Feb 26, 2024

Redefining US strategy with Latin America and the Caribbean for a new era

By Jason Marczak, María Fernanda Bozmoski, Matthew Kroenig

The strategic interest of the United States and the countries of Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) lies in strengthening their western hemisphere partnership. Shared borders, economic interests, and security alliances bind these nations, along with a common goal for prosperity. However, the perception of waning US interest and the rise of external influences necessitate the […]
Caribbean Economy & Business
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Issue Brief Feb 21, 2024

NATO multidomain operations: Near- and medium-term priority initiatives

By Franklin D. Kramer, Ann Marie Dailey, Joslyn Brodfuehrer

How can NATO improve its ability to fight as a multination coalition? These seven initiatives for NATO to take over the next five years can help.
Defense Policy Defense Technologies
all in-depth research

Leadership

Staff

Matthew Kroenig

Vice President and Senior Director, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Policy

Staff

Markus Garlauskas

Director

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Crisis Management Indo-Pacific

Staff

Andrew A. Michta

Director and Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Former staff

Christopher Skaluba

Former Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

NATO Security & Defense

Staff

Clementine G. Starling

Director, Forward Defense

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Security & Defense NATO

Staff

Jeffrey Cimmino

Deputy Director, Operations and Fellow, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Staff

Staff

Ryan Arick

Associate Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

NATO Security & Defense

Staff

Joslyn Brodfuehrer

Assistant Director, Transatlantic Security Initiative

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

China Disinformation

Staff

Philippe Dickinson

Deputy Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Chinese East Asia

Staff

Peter Engelke

Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

Global Energy Center Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Technology & Innovation Europe & Eurasia

Staff

Lauren D. Gilbert

Deputy Director

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

East Asia Human Rights

Staff

Kyoko Imai

Associate Director

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Politics & Diplomacy Japanese

Staff

Kathryn Levantovscaia

Deputy Director

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Staff

Theresa Luetkefend

Assistant Director

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy German

Staff

Alyxandra Marine

Assistant Director

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Crisis Management Defense Policy

Staff

Mark J. Massa

Deputy Director

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy National Security

Staff

Danielle Miller

Associate Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

Climate Change & Climate Action National Security

Staff

Abigail Rudolph

Program Assistant

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Staff

Holly Ryan

Project Assistant

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Artificial Intelligence Defense Industry

Staff

Sydney Sherry

Program Assistant

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

Politics & Diplomacy Resilience & Society

Staff

Kimberly Talley

Program Assistant

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

NATO Security & Defense

Staff

Emma C. Verges

Assistant Director

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Chinese

Staff

Rebecca Wittner

Program Assistant

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Indo-Pacific

Staff

Katherine Yusko

Project Assistant

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Arabic Climate Change & Climate Action

Content

In the News

Apr 23, 2024

Polymeropoulos book review of “But You Don’t Look Arab and Other Tales of Unbelonging” in The Cipher Brief

On April 23, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Marc Polymeropoulos wrote a book review for The Cipher Brief of Hala Gorani’s “But You Don’t Look Arab and Other Tales of Unbelonging.” The review covers the story of Emmy Award-winning international journalist Hala Gorani, from her time as a globe-trotting correspondent and anchor with her own […]

Conflict Education

New Atlanticist

Apr 23, 2024

The war in Ukraine could reach a decision point by the NATO summit. Policymakers need to prepare now.

By Andrew A. Michta

Russia has launched its third major mobilization wave, which could result in battlefield gains right as NATO meets in Washington on July 9-11.

Conflict Defense Policy

In the News

Apr 22, 2024

Global China Hub/IPSI Nonresident Fellow Parker Novak featured in VOA

By Parker Novak

On April 16th, Global China Hub/IPSI Nonresident Fellow Parker Novak was interviewed by VOA about the upcoming election in the Solomon Islands, focusing on how the election will shape the country’s relationship with China and its future approach.

China Indo-Pacific

In the News

Apr 20, 2024

Konaev cited in Taipei Times about drone warfare, deterring China, and global conflict

On April 20, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Margarita Konaev was quoted in the Taipei Times about drone warfare as a deterrent against China and its implications on increasing global conflict.

China Conflict

New Atlanticist

Apr 19, 2024

Great power competition is back. What does that mean for US special operations forces?

By Alyxandra Marine

With their wide array of capabilities, US special operations forces can play a central role in strategic competition.

China Conflict

In the News

Apr 19, 2024

Hammes referenced in a Georgetown Security Studies Review article about autonomous military systems

On April 18, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Thomas X. Hammes was referenced in a Georgetown Security Studies Review piece titled “From Sling and Stone to Autonomous Drone? Key Questions for Determining Whether Autonomy Favors Davids or Goliaths,” about autonomous military systems (AMS) favoring conventionally “weaker” or poorer actors.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

In the News

Apr 18, 2024

Thomas Warrick mentioned in The Cipher Brief about an open letter to the Senate on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

On April 18, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Thomas S. Warrick was mentioned in a Cipher Brief article releasing an open letter to the Senate. Signed by a group of former senior national security officials, this letter urged the reform of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, adopting The Reforming Intelligence and Securing […]

Civil Society Political Reform

Memo to...

Apr 18, 2024

Memo to the president: The United States needs a new strategic approach fit for a new geopolitical era

By General (ret.) Wesley K. Clark

The urgent task before American leaders is to renew the foundations of US power, ensuring that the country’s power of example is matched by the example of its power.

National Security Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Apr 17, 2024

Pax Americana vs. autonomy: How the US and EU defense industrial strategies diverge

By Kathryn Levantovscaia

This is the first year in which both the United States and the European Union have formally introduced defense industrial strategies.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

In the News

Apr 15, 2024

Vinograd on CBS News explaining the current Israel-Iran tensions after Iranian missile strikes

On April 15, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Samantha Vinograd appeared on CBS News to discuss Israel-Iran tensions after Israeli air defense, supported by the US and allies, intercepted over more than 300 Iranian drones and missiles.

Conflict Defense Policy
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Events

Public Event Fri, April 26, 2024 • 1:00 pm ET

Report launch: The sixth domain and the role of the private sector
Conflict Cybersecurity Infrastructure Protection National Security
Public Event Mon, April 29, 2024 • 9:45 am ET

A back-to-business birthday: Priorities for the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington
Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense
Public Event Mon, May 13, 2024 • 3:30 pm ET

Strengthening the middleground of the defense-industrial landscape
Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies Security & Defense