Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security - Atlantic Council

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.

Learn more about Brent Scowcroft

Scowcroft Center initiatives

GeoStrategy Initiative

The GeoStrategy 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.

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative

The Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative, housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, works to advance resilience as a core tenet of US and allied national security policy and practice. Resilience — the ability of individuals, societies, and systems to withstand, recover from, and adapt to shocks and disruptions — is a national security imperative in an increasingly contested world. To help the United States and its allies better prepare for and succeed amid 21st century challenges, the Initiative examines sources of, and develops strategies for enhancing, resilience across key pillars of individual and societal resilience.

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.

Featured commentary and analysis

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Testimony Feb 18, 2025

Matthew Kroenig testifies to the House Committee on Homeland Security on China’s strategic port investments in the Western Hemisphere

On February 11, 2025, Atlantic Council Vice President and Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Senior Director Matthew Kroenig testified before the US House Committee on Homeland Security on China’s strategic port investments in the Western Hemisphere, drawing on recommendations from the Atlantic Council Strategy Paper titled A Strategy to Counter Malign Chinese and Russian […]

China Infrastructure Protection

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

Testimony Oct 25, 2024

Andrew A. Michta testifies to the Helsinki Commission on Russia’s aggression in Central and Eastern Europe

By Andrew A. Michta

Andrew A. Michta, director of the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, testified before the Helsinki Commission on Russia’s imperial ambitions in Central and Eastern Europe.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Report Nov 4, 2024

NATO needs a ‘hellscape’ defense at ‘Replicator’ speed

By Franklin D. Kramer, Kristen Taylor

To enhance deterrence, the NATO Alliance should adopt a ‘hellscape’ approach designed to acquire and field low-cost, highly effective massed armaments, prepositioned on the forward lines of conflict, within a two-to-three year timeframe.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Mar 6, 2025

The real reason Russia invaded Ukraine (hint: it’s not NATO expansion)

By Andrew A. Michta

Russia invaded Ukraine not because of NATO expansion, but because the West failed to back up Europe’s post-Cold War security architecture with hard power.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Report Feb 7, 2025

Toplines: The United States and its allies must be ready to deter a two-front war and nuclear attacks in East Asia

By Markus Garlauskas

The “toplines” from Markus Garlauskus’ report on two emerging and interrelated deterrence challenges in East Asia with grave risks to US national security.

Arms Control China

all commentary & analysis

Featured in-depth research and reports

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series Jan 17, 2024

Global Foresight 2024

In this year’s Global Foresight edition, our experts identify the top risks and opportunities for 2024. Our foresight team spots “snow leopards” that could have major unexpected impacts in 2024 and beyond. And we share findings from our survey of global strategists and foresight practitioners on how human affairs could unfold over the next decade.

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Issue Brief Feb 20, 2025

Issue brief: A NATO strategy for countering Russia

By Ian Brzezinski, Ryan Arick

Russia poses the most direct and growing threat to NATO member states’ security. This threat now includes the war in Ukraine, militarization in the Arctic, hybrid warfare, and arms control violations. Despite NATO’s military and economic superiority, a unified and effective strategy is essential to counter Russia’s aggression.

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Report Jan 14, 2025

The next decade of strategic competition: How the Pentagon can use special operations forces to better compete

By Clementine G. Starling-Daniels, Theresa Luetkefend

Clementine G. Starling and Theresa Luetkefend discuss how the Department of Defense and Joint force should more effectively leverage Special Operations forces in strategic competition.

Africa China

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Report Jan 4, 2025

‘First, we will defend the homeland’: The case for homeland missile defense

By Robert Soofer with contributions from Kari Anderson, James McCue, Tom Karako, Mark J. Massa, Alyxandra Marine, and Jonathan Rosenstein

A comprehensive analysis of U.S. homeland missile defense, addressing policies, security challenges, and strategies to counter threats from North Korea, China, and Russia.

China Defense Technologies

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Issue Brief Feb 13, 2025

Deterring Chinese aggression takes real-time intelligence

By Scott D. Berrier

LTG (R) Scott D. Berrier argues that transforming the Intelligence Communit’s early-warning system and attaining real-time awareness is crucial to deterring Chinese aggression.

China East Asia

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Issue Brief Oct 7, 2024

Strategic stability in the third nuclear age

By Matthew Kroenig

The world is entering a third nuclear age. This brief explores global strategic stability in the 2020s and 2030s.

NATO Nuclear Deterrence

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

Tressa Guenov

Director, Programs and Operations and Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Staff

Clementine G. Starling-Daniels

Director, Forward Defense

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Security & Defense NATO

Staff

Markus Garlauskas

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Crisis Management Indo-Pacific

Staff

Torrey Taussig

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia

Staff

Sarah Wallace

Program Assistant

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

French Human Rights

Staff

Staff

Ryan Arick

Associate Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

NATO Security & Defense

Staff

Imran Bayoumi

Associate Director

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

Staff

Amy Cowley

Program Assistant, Forward Defense

Forward Defense

Conflict North & West Africa

Staff

Philippe Dickinson

Deputy Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Chinese East Asia

Staff

Peter Engelke

Senior Fellow, GeoStrategy Initiative

GeoStrategy Initiative Global Energy Center

Technology & Innovation

Former staff

Patrick Fish

Former Program Assistant, Forward Defense

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Indo-Pacific

Staff

Bailey Galicia

Project Assistant

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Extremism

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

Security & Defense Japanese

Staff

Emily E. Kim

Project Assistant

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Korea Security & Defense

Staff

Curtis Lee

Program Assistant

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Korean

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

Ginger Matchett

Program Assistant

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

Staff

Andrew A. Michta

Senior Fellow, GeoStrategy Initiative

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Staff

Audrey Roh

Project Assistant

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Cybersecurity Japan

Staff

Jonathan Rosenstein

Program Assistant

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Nuclear Deterrence

Staff

Abigail Rudolph

Program Assistant

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Former expert bio

Inga Samoškaitė

Assistant Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia

Staff

Sydney Sherry

Assistant Director

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

Politics & Diplomacy Resilience & Society

Staff

Kimberly Talley

Assistant Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

NATO Security & Defense

Staff

Kristen Taylor

Assistant Director

Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Staff

Alexander Young

Project Assistant

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia

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Content

In the News

Soofer quoted in Washington Post article on Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’

By Atlantic Council

On January 30, Forward Defense senior fellow Robert Soofer was quoted in a Washington Post article titled, “Could Trump’s Iron Dome work? Only if Canada attacks Detroit.” The article quotes Soofer’s recent report, “‘First, we will defend the homeland’: The case for homeland missile defense” on how refocusing missile defenses will “enhance US nuclear survivability.”

China Defense Policy

In the News

Grundman featured in Newsweek on Hegseth

By Atlantic Council

On February 2, Steve Grundman, a senior fellow at Forward Defense, was featured in a Newsweek article discussing the likelihood that Hegseth will serve Trump's full term as defense secretary.

Defense Policy National Security

New Atlanticist

Abolishing FEMA would hurt all Americans—particularly Trump voters

By Thomas S. Warrick

Instead of abolishing the agency, US President Donald Trump should support fixing its problems, making it more efficient, and changing its focus to include strategic resilience.

Politics & Diplomacy Resilience

In the News

Punaro on Fox Business on the DC plane crash and Tulsi Gabbard

By Atlantic Council

On January 31st, Arnold Punaro, non-resident senior fellow at Forward Defense, was featured on Fox Business to discuss the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the DC plane crash and Tulsi Gabbard’s Senate confirmation hearing.

Intelligence Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Punaro mentioned in 1945 on the US all-volunteer force

By Atlantic Council

On January 30th, Arnold Punaro, non-resident senior fellow at Forward Defense, was mentioned in a 1945 article on the US all-volunteer force.

Defense Policy Security & Defense

In the News

Soofer’s report ‘First, we will defend the homeland’ featured in Newsweek article on Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’

By Atlantic Council

On January 28, Forward Defense senior fellow Robert Soofer was quoted in a Newsweek article titled “Donald Trump’s Iron Dome Over US: What We Know.” The article features his recent Atlantic Council report, “‘First, we will defend the homeland’: The case for homeland missile defense,” where he critiques existing defense systems and outlines the challenges […]

China Defense Policy

In the News

Soofer cited in New York Times article on Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’ Executive Order

By Atlantic Council

On January 28, Forward Defense senior fellow Robert Soofer was cited in a New York Times article entitled, “Trump Orders an ‘Iron Dome’-Style Defense System. Experts Are Skeptical.” The article quotes Soofer’s recent report, “‘First, we will defend the homeland’: The case for homeland missile defense” on how the “current approach to homeland missile defense […]

China Defense Policy

In the News

Marc Polymeropoulos on MSNBC discusses the influence of foreign terrorist groups on the New Orleans attack

On January 2, Marc Polymeropoulos, a nonresident senior fellow at Forward Defense, was invited to give his expert analysis on MSNBC about the role of foreign terror groups in the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans. In his words, the attack was “very concerning” due to the ‘lone wolf’ nature, and was “straight out […]

Extremism Security & Defense

In the News

Geurts testifies at the Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing on defense innovation and acquisition reform

By Atlantic Council

On January 28, Hondo Geurts, Commissioner on Forward Defense's Commision on Software-Defined Warfare, testified to the Senate Committee on Armed Services Hearing on defense innovation and acquisition reform.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Announcements

Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense program launches Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force

WASHINGTON, JANUARY 24, 2025 — The Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense program has convened former government officials and industry leaders on a Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force to address the opportunities that hypersonic capabilities offer to the United States to enhance deterrence and the challenges posed by adversary hypersonic capabilities.

China Defense Policy

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