Scowcroft Center Commentary, Analysis, & Reports

Explore the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s latest insights, commentary, articles, media hits, and in-depth reports

All commentary & analysis

Issue Brief

Mar 9, 2026

New START might be dead, but legally binding arms control isn’t

By Michael Albertson

Who killed New START? Moscow and Beijing's behavior is mostly to blame—but an arms control community that privileged the aspirational and performative over substantive measures didn't help.

Dispatches

Mar 6, 2026

The US and China are in ‘gray zone’ competition. A counterinsurgency model can help explain what that means.

By Dan Minnocci

A model originally designed for counterinsurgency can offer insights into the nature of US-China strategic competition.

Defense Policy Indo-Pacific

Dispatches

Mar 4, 2026

What Macron’s changes to French nuclear policy mean for European security

By Jonathan Rosenstein and Emily Cheesman

The president’s plan, announced on March 2, expands France’s nuclear arsenal and deepens its cooperation on deterrence with European allies.

France Nuclear Deterrence

In the News

Mar 4, 2026

Costa quoted in The Hill article on resource strains and the conflict in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On March 4, Director of the Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense Program Joe Costa was quoted in an article from The Hill on US interceptor capacity. Costa described the high attrition rate for key missile defense capabilities in the conflict in Iran and expressed concern over the strain to resources as the conflict progresses.

Defense Technologies Iran

In the News

Mar 4, 2026

Kroenig on Reagan Institute podcast on US policy toward Iran

By Atlantic Council

On March 3, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on the Reagan Institute podcast on US policy toward Iran, focusing on the balance between preemption and diplomacy.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Mar 4, 2026

Kroenig quoted in The New York Times on US policy in Iran

By Atlantic Council

On March 3, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in The New York Times on US strategy in Iran, arguing that President Trump will seek to avoid a drawn-out engagement.

Iran Security & Defense

Dispatches

Mar 3, 2026

How a crisis over a stockpile of uranium created an opening for US reengagement in Niger

By Adal Rhoubeid and Maureen Farrell

The recent failed coup in Benin has had the unintended consequence of creating a path forward for US reengagement in the Sahel.

East Africa Nuclear Energy

Dispatches

Mar 2, 2026

Decapitation strikes are not enough to take on Mexico’s cartels. Here’s what else the US should do.

By Charlotte Bertrand

Strikes on cartels should be combined with greater efforts to disrupt supply and reduce substance use disorder in the United States.

Latin America Mexico

Fast Thinking

Feb 28, 2026

Iran’s supreme leader is dead. Here’s what it means.

By Atlantic Council

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, was killed in a US-Israeli bombing campaign on Feb. 28.

Iran Security & Defense

In the News

Feb 28, 2026

Daniels featured on NewsNation panel on the Pentagon’s use of AI

By Atlantic Council

On February 28, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Owen Daniels appeared on a NewsNation panel discussing the Pentagon’s feud with Anthropic. Daniels points out that Anthropic’s action could set a precedent for future AI companies behavior, and that the Pentagon was concerned by this possibility.  

Artificial Intelligence Defense Policy

Fast Thinking

Feb 28, 2026

What Trump’s ‘Epic Fury’ means for Iran and the Middle East 

By Atlantic Council

Operation Epic Fury has begun. On Feb. 28, US President Donald Trump announced a “massive and ongoing” attack on Iran.

National Security Security & Defense

Dispatches

Feb 28, 2026

Experts react: The US and Israel just unleashed a major attack on Iran. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts assess the unfolding Operation Epic Fury and where it goes from here.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Feb 27, 2026

Daniels quoted in CNN article on the Anthropic safety saga

By Atlantic Council

On February 26, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Owen Daniels was quoted in a CNN article on the Pentagon’s security concerns over Anthropic. Daniels pointed out that a large, near-term consequence for Anthropic is the loss of client and potential customer value and trust in the company.  

Artificial Intelligence Defense Policy

In the News

Feb 27, 2026

Kroenig in The Wall Street Journal on Iran’s military capabilities

By Atlantic Council

On February 27, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in The Wall Street Journal on Iran's intercontinental ballistic missile program.

Iran Security & Defense

Podcast

Feb 27, 2026

NCIS: Origins S02E03 – The Edge (2025)

By the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense

In this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council, Dr. Asha M. George, Associate Director for Research, J.T. O'Brien, and Associate Director for Government Relations and Policy, Robert Bradley, discuss S02E03 of NCIS: Origins, The Edge. We are joined by special guest, Patrick Cady, who directed the episode.

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Feb 25, 2026

Braw in POLITICO on US tech companies control of subsea cables

By Elisabeth Braw

On February 25, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw published an article in POLITICO on how US tech giants’ control of subsea cables may pose a risk to Europe if President Trump ordered the cables closed.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

In the News

Feb 25, 2026

Daniels in PBS News on Anthropic’s bargaining power with the Pentagon

By Atlantic Council

On February 24, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Owen Daniels was quoted in a PBS News article on Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s feud with AI company Anthropic. In the article, Daniels points out that Anthropic does not have much bargaining power in the Pentagon, as other peers have complied with department policy. 

Artificial Intelligence Defense Policy

AfricaSource

Feb 24, 2026

In Guinea, the US has a rare opportunity to gain an edge over China

By Rose Keravuori, Maureen Farrell

Guinea’s democratic transition and mineral riches put it center stage in US-China competition. The United States now has a rare chance to align investment, security, and governance to secure strategic influence in West Africa.

Critical Minerals North & West Africa

Dispatches

Feb 23, 2026

Toxins are an escalating global threat. Here’s how governments should respond.

By Asha M. George, John T. O’Brien

Recent cases in the news of poisons derived directly from plant or animal life highlight a danger that is too often overlooked in biodefense.

Crisis Management Resilience & Society

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Feb 23, 2026

Braw in The Times on the British MoD tracking down ex-regulars

By Elisabeth Braw

On February 23, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw published an article in The Times on how the British Ministry of Defence needs a database to flag the location of strategic reservists.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense
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