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

New Atlanticist

Jun 8, 2020

NATO secretary general unveils his vision for the Alliance’s future

By David A. Wemer

On June 8, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg laid out his plans for a new period of reflection on the Alliance’s mission and structure over the next ten years. At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated certain security threats to member states, including “unabated” Russian military activity, the spread of disinformation and propaganda, and the disruptive ascendance of China, NATO “must stay strong militarily, be more united politically, and take a broader approach globally,” he stated.

Coronavirus NATO

In the News

Jun 7, 2020

Oh in NK News: US-China relations are in dire straits. What does that mean for North Korea?

By Atlantic Council

On June 7, NK News published an article featuring commentary by Dr. Miyeon Oh, Director and Senior Fellow of the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s Asia Security Initiative. Dr. Oh reflects on the implications of deteriorating US-China relations for North Korea.

China East Asia

New Atlanticist

Jun 5, 2020

Increase NATO’s operational reach: Expanding the NATO SOF network

By Thang Q. Tran

NATO cannot safeguard the coalition’s interests unilaterally. Strategic investments in NATO Special Operations Forces (SOF) to expand the NATO SOF Network will provide political and military leaders the full range of options in response to emerging threats—both hybrid and conventional—through strong partnerships within the Alliance and with partners.

Defense Policy NATO

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Jun 5, 2020

Artificial intelligence principles: Avoiding catastrophe

By Robert A. Manning

An urgent challenge for the coming decade is to forge a global consensus to operationalize widely-shared ethical principles, standards, and norms to govern the development and use of artificial intelligence.

Americas China

In the News

Jun 4, 2020

Mathew Burrows briefs World Affairs Council of Oregon on scenarios for a post-COVID world

By Atlantic Council

China Coronavirus

In the News

Jun 4, 2020

Jensen and Van Echo in War on the Rocks: How to factor strategic competition into wargaming and PME

By Atlantic Council

Reviewing lessons from their Agile Competition wargame series, Forward Defense Senior Fellow Benjamin Jensen and Marine Corps officer Lt Col Matthew Van Echo advance a new approach to wargaming in the era of great-power competition.

China Conflict

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jun 2, 2020

Geometries of deterrence: Assessing defense arrangements in Europe’s northeast

By Hans Binnendijk and Conor Rodihan

Nations in Europe's northeast cooperate through a variety of multilateral security and defense arrangements. "Geometries of Deterrence" assesses how these arrangements individually and collectively contribute to deterrence and defense in Northeastern Europe.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jun 2, 2020

Forward Defense launch referenced by POLITICO

By Atlantic Council

In their daily Morning Defense briefing, POLITICO referenced the launch of the Atlantic Council's new Forward Defense practice area, designed to help the United States and its allies and partners contend with great power rivals and maintain favorable balances of power.

Security & Defense

In the News

Jun 1, 2020

Busch in The Hill: Is Trump encouraging the world’s use of national security as stealth protectionism?

By Marc L. Busch

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

Issue Brief

Jun 1, 2020

Executive summary: The virus and global order

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig, and Barry Pavel

The COVID-19 pandemic is having dramatic effects on everyday life, but its geopolitical implications could prove to be even more profound. The pandemic is exacerbating and unleashing pressure points in the global order, including intensified US-China competition, that could fundamentally reshape geopolitics.

China Coronavirus

In the News

Jun 1, 2020

Jain mentioned in The Japan Times: Time for a G10

By Atlantic Council

English Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jun 1, 2020

Pavel in Defense One: Pandemic raises likelihood of great-power conflict

By Atlantic Council

On June 1, Defense One published an article by Scowcroft Center Director Barry Pavel titled: “The Coronavirus is Raising the Likelihood of Great-Power Conflict.” The article addresses the intensifying military operations in the western Pacific and warns of potential escalation if efforts are not calibrated carefully.

China Russia

In the News

Jun 1, 2020

Couch in RealClearDefense: The imperative of talent platforms, part II

By Atlantic Council

We are moving from centralized, information technology-enabled mass production to decentralized, information technology-enabled mass personalization, and the national security implications are profound.

Defense Policy Digital Policy

Issue Brief

Jun 1, 2020

Taking stock: Where are geopolitics headed in the COVID-19 era?

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig, and Barry Pavel

The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed pressure points in the global order and threatens to unravel the rules-based international system. This paper examines the geopolitical implications of the pandemic by identifying key strategic shocks and tensions exacerbated by the virus. It also identifies uncertainties for the global order and provides policy recommendations for how the United States and its allies should address the pandemic.

China Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2020

NATO’s role in a transatlantic strategy on China

By Ian Brzezinski

NATO can be an effective forum for Allies to share awareness of China's capabilities and activities, develop a transatlantic security strategy regarding China, and pool capacities for engagement and deterrence.

China NATO

In the News

May 30, 2020

Robert Manning in TRT World Now on the US decision to revoke Hong Kong special status

By Atlantic Council

China Coronavirus

In the News

May 29, 2020

Ashford in Foreign Affairs: Build a better blob

By Atlantic Council

Emma writes about the false dichotomy of choosing between Trumpism and foreign policy elites. More about our experts

Conflict NATO

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2020

Trump has escalated his confrontation with China. Here’s what that means.

By David A. Wemer

During a news conference at the White House on May 29, US President Donald J. Trump rebuked China for its response to the coronavirus pandemic and alleged violation of Hong Kong’s sovereignty. The US president argued that China’s behavior has endangered US economic interests and national security.

China Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2020

National Guard’s COVID-19 response combines civilian skillsets with unique military utility

By Katherine Golden

The US National Guard is stepping up their COVID-19 response with food banks, testing sites, nursing homes, and personal protective equipment distribution across the United States. “What makes us particularly effective in relation to the COVID-19 response is the unique, very deep connections with our communities and our homelands,” the Chief of the National Guard Bureau General Joseph L. Lengyel said.

Coronavirus Defense Industry

In the News

May 29, 2020

Couch in RealClearDefense: The imperative of talent platforms, part I

By Atlantic Council

We must cultivate our current talent while ensuring investment in a comprehensive AI training package that ensures our future force is as agile, responsive, and as skilled as today.

Defense Policy Digital Policy

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