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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

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We are proud to introduce to you The Strategist: a newsletter to catch you up on highlights from the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

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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 (FD) helps the United States and its allies and partners contend with great-power competitors and maintain favorable balances of power. This new practice area in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security produces Forward-looking analyses of the trends, technologies, and concepts that will define the future of warfare, and the alliances needed for the 21st century. Through the futures we forecast, the scenarios we wargame, and the analyses we produce, FD develops actionable strategies and policies for deterrence and defense, while shaping US and allied operational concepts and the role of defense industry in addressing the most significant military challenges at the heart of great-power competition.

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.

One year of war in Ukraine

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Feb 24, 2023

One year, eight world-changing numbers. Quantifying Russia’s war in Ukraine.

By Atlantic Council experts

Experts from across the Atlantic Council have drawn up the figures they believe best illustrate all the ways this war has shaken the world.
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Feb 24, 2023

The arsenal of democracy has hit a snag. Congress needs to step in.

By Thomas S. Warrick

Weapons deliveries to Ukraine are delayed because the Pentagon cannot process procurement contracts fast enough. Congress needs to get the defense industry on wartime footing.
Conflict Defense Industry
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Feb 23, 2023

Sanctions alone won’t defeat Russia in Ukraine. But they’re having a bigger impact than it might seem.

By Brian O’Toole, Daniel Fried

The Russian economy has begun to look like a leaky ship. All hands are on deck bailing it out, but at some point, they won’t be able to keep up.
Economic Sanctions Oil and Gas
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Feb 22, 2023

Russia policy after the war: A new strategy of containment

By Alexander Vershbow

To prevent further damage to the rules-based international order, the United States and its allies will need a strategy of containment to deter Russia militarily and decouple Russia from the international community, until Moscow has earned the right to be considered a partner once more.
Arms Control Defense Policy
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Feb 20, 2023

Experts react: One year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US releases new sanctions and China steps in with a ‘peace’ plan

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts share their insights on the importance of Biden’s surprise trip to Kyiv and more at the one-year mark of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Arms Control Nuclear Deterrence
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Fast Thinking Feb 20, 2023

How Biden’s Ukraine trip was received in Kyiv and Moscow

By Atlantic Council

Biden’s surprise visit to Ukraine featured photo ops and promises for more military aid. Now, Atlantic Council experts share their insights on the visit and what’s next.

Conflict Defense Industry
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Jan 30, 2023

Sweden has a chance to transform European security—even before it officially joins NATO

By Franklin D. Kramer

Sweden can wield the agenda-setting powers of its presidency to push a EU security and defense budget directed toward three crucial aims: mobility, sustainment, and critical infrastructure protection.
Defense Industry Defense Policy
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Experts react Jan 25, 2023

Experts react: The West finally sends in the tanks. What will they mean for Ukraine’s fight?

By Atlantic Council experts

Is this a turning point for Germany’s participation in arming Ukraine? Our experts lay out what’s next.
Conflict Defense Policy
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Jan 12, 2023

How the US and its allies should respond to evolving space threats

By Forward Defense experts

Adversaries are changing the ways they disrupt or destroy US and allied space operations. Our experts give their sense of the latest challenges to security.
China Russia
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Jan 6, 2023

Experts react: Can new French and German weapons turn the tide in Ukraine?

By Atlantic Council experts

What do these additions mean for the battlefield? What do they signal about the positioning of France, Germany, and Europe as a whole in this protracted conflict?

Conflict Defense Technologies
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Future of Tech Competition Nov 15, 2022

Designing domestic and multilateral strategies for maintaining technological superiority

By Peter Engelke, Emily Weinstein

This fall, the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security and the Global China Hub convened experts and officials in a private workshop to discuss how the United States, in conjunction with allies and partners, might design strategies to maintain technological superiority over China. The workshop explored the necessary components of a competitive strategy via both “protect” and “run faster” policies. This memo draws from insights gathered during the workshop to give policy makers a better understanding of the potential tools in the strategic arsenal.
China Defense Technologies
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

New Atlanticist Nov 14, 2022

Memo to the G20: The fierce urgency of food security

By Peter Engelke

The G20 must have the foresight and courage to embrace innovative and transformative solutions to the challenge of global hunger.
G20 Politics & Diplomacy
all commentary & analysis
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Report Jan 20, 2023

China and the new globalization

By Franklin D. Kramer

The unitary globalized economy no longer exists. Driven in significant part by security considerations, a new and more diverse globalization is both required and being built. The transition is ongoing, and its final form is yet to be determined.
China Economy & Business
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series Dec 21, 2022

Global Foresight 2023

In this year’s Global Foresight edition, our experts identify the top risks and opportunities for 2023. Our foresight team spots “snow leopards” that could have major unexpected impacts in 2023 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 Dec 20, 2022

A next-generation agenda for US-ROK-Japan cooperation

By Lauren D. Gilbert, Kyoko Imai

Trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan, and South Korea has proved challenging over the years, owing largely to historical tensions. As a result, this project has sought perspectives from next-generation leaders of the three countries to define areas where targeted, flexible, and informal cooperative arrangements can provide clear mutual benefit to all.

Coronavirus East Asia
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Issue Brief Dec 20, 2022

Arms racing under nuclear tripolarity: Evidence for an action-reaction cycle?

By Matthew Kroenig

Matthew Kroenig argues that there has not been a nuclear arms race since the Cold War—but that China’s nuclear buildup might start one.
Arms Control China
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series Nov 30, 2022

Preparing for victory: A long-haul strategy to help Ukraine win the war against Russia—and secure the peace

By Stephen J. Hadley, William Taylor, John E. Herbst, Matthew Kroenig, Melinda Haring, and Jeffrey Cimmino

Ukraine’s counteroffensives, backed by expanded and accelerated US and allied support, continue to push Russian forces out of Ukrainian territory, although at a reduced rate. These hard-won successes, however, bring with them possible challenges that also must be addressed. 
Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Issue Brief Oct 31, 2022

Beyond NOFORN: Solutions for increased intelligence sharing among allies

By AVM Sean Corbett, CB MBE and James Danoy

Intelligence sharing is a perennial issue, but modern solutions exist to balance enhancing cooperation with key allies with providing decision advantage to policymakers.
Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia
all in-depth research

Leadership

Staff

Matthew Kroenig

Senior Director, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

China Defense Policy

Staff

Markus Garlauskas

Director

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Crisis Management Indo-Pacific

Staff

Christopher Skaluba

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

Staff

Anca Agachi

Associate Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Africa Conflict

Staff

Alvina Ahmed

Program Assistant

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

NATO Security & Defense

Staff

Ryan Arick

Assistant Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

NATO Security & Defense

Staff

Imran Bayoumi

Assistant Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

Staff

Jeffrey Cimmino

Associate Director, Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

Staff

Peter Engelke

Deputy Director of Foresight, Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

Global Energy Center Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Technology & Innovation Europe & Eurasia

Staff

Lauren D. Gilbert

Associate Director

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Indo-Pacific Korea

Staff

Kyoko Imai

Assistant Director

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Politics & Diplomacy Japanese

Fellow

Ash Jain

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Indo-Pacific

Staff

Delharty Manson

Program Assistant

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Staff

Alyxandra Marine

Program Assistant

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Crisis Management Defense Policy

Staff

Mark J. Massa

Associate Director

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy National Security

Staff

Jacob Mezey

Program Assistant

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Missile Defense

Staff

Danielle Miller

Assistant Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Scowcroft Strategy Initiative

Climate Change & Climate Action National Security

Staff

Leah Scheunemann

Deputy Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

NATO Security & Defense

Staff

Julia Siegel

Assistant Director

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Security & Defense

Staff

Kimberly Talley

Program Assistant

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

NATO Security & Defense

Staff

Emma C. Verges

Program Assistant

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Chinese

Content

Fast Thinking

Mar 17, 2023

Is Finland moving into NATO without Sweden?

By Atlantic Council

After Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would push Finland's NATO accession without Sweden, our world-class experts explore what's next.

Conflict Crisis Management

Executive Summary

Mar 16, 2023

In brief: C4ISR – A five-step guide to maintaining NATO’s comparative military edge over the coming decade

By Transatlantic Security Initiative

The Atlantic Council presents a five step guide to maintaining NATO's comparative military edge over the coming decade.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies
NATO C4ISR

Report

Mar 16, 2023

The future of NATO C4ISR: Assessment and recommendations after Madrid

By Gordon B. “Skip” Davis Jr.

Current C4ISR capabilities, concepts, policies, and processes do not meet all of the Alliance’s needs. While much has been done to improve NATO C4ISR over the past decade, much work remains.

China Conflict

New Atlanticist

Mar 14, 2023

What’s next for the US-UK-Australia submarine partnership?

By Atlantic Council experts

Dive into the details of the AUKUS submarine partnership just announced in San Diego by US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Australia Defense Technologies

In the News

Mar 14, 2023

Guevara in El Heraldo de Mexico on the global divide on responding to the war in Ukraine (in Spanish)

On February 24, TSI NRSF Inigo Guevara authored an op-ed in El Heraldo de Mexico that analyzed how the world is divided into three distinct groups with respect to differing responses to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine (text in Spanish).

Mexico Security & Defense

In the News

Mar 14, 2023

Kroenig and Ashford debate dueling responses to the Israel-Palestine conflict

On March 10, Foreign Policy published its biweekly "It's Debatable" column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and Emma Ashford assessing the latest news in international affairs.

Human Rights Israel

In the News

Mar 14, 2023

Bayoumi in The Diplomat discussing China’s meddling in Canada’s elections

Imran Bayoumi authors an article for The Diplomat discussing leaked reports that China meddled in Canada's 2021 elections.

China Democratic Transitions

Blog Post

Mar 13, 2023

State of the Order: Assessing February 2023

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

China Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Mar 13, 2023

No ‘free-riding’ here: European defense spending defies US critics

By Jason Davidson

Recently released evidence suggests that most of NATO’s members have increased their defense spending or plan to—even as the US has increased its own presence in Europe.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 10, 2023

Roberts on BBC World News

On March 9, IPSI Nonresident Senior Fellow Dexter Tiff Roberts appeared on BBC World News to discuss the Netherlands joining the ban on semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales to China.

China Economy & Business
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Events

Public Event Mon, April 3, 2023 • 3:30 pm ET

Game-changers or little-changed? Implications of ground combat in Ukraine
Conflict Defense Policy Defense Technologies National Security
Public Event Wed, April 12, 2023 • 1:00 pm ET

Commission on Defense Innovation Adoption: Interim Report Launch
Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies National Security
Public Event Wed, May 17, 2023 • 9:00 am ET

NEXUS 23: A symposium at the intersection of defense, national security, and autonomy
Defense Industry Defense Policy Defense Technologies Security & Defense