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

In the News

Mar 27, 2025

Breaking Defense reports on the Commission of Software-Defined Warfare final report

By Atlantic Council

On March 27, Carly Welch of Breaking Defense published an article featuring key recommendations made in the final report of Forward Defense’s Commission on Software-Defined Warfare.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Industry

In the News

Mar 27, 2025

Soofer featured in Brookings report titled, “An Iron Dome for America?”

By Atlantic Council

On March 25, Forward Defense senior fellow Robert Soofer was quoted in a Brookings report entitled, “An Iron Dome for America?” The article features insights from Soofer’s recent report, “‘First, we will defend the homeland’: The case for homeland missile defense.” Brookings author Michael E. O’Hanlon argues that Soofer’s proposal offers a more realistic alternative to Trump’s ambitious “Golden Dome” vision, suggesting […]

China Defense Industry

Report

Mar 27, 2025

Atlantic Council Commission on Software-Defined Warfare: Final report

By Whitney M. McNamara, Peter Modigliani, Tate Nurkin

The Atlantic Council Commission on Software-Defined Warfare presents a software-defined warfare approach, offering recommendations for the DoD to adopt modern software practices and seamlessly integrate them into existing platforms to enhance and strengthen defense strategies.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Policy

In the News

Mar 26, 2025

Michta published in 19FortyFive on uncertainty around NATO’s future and US strategy

On March 26, Andrew Michta, senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative, published an article in 19FortyFive on how the Trump administration’s transatlantic policy could fundamentally alter NATO. He argues that closer relations between Washington and Moscow “risks undoing the last eighty years of US national security strategy” in Europe.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Mar 26, 2025

Inside Defense reports on the Commission on Software-Defined Warfare final report

By Atlantic Council

On March 26, Theresa Maher of Inside Defense published an article highlighting the key recommendations from Forward Defense’s Commission on Software-Defined Warfare report.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Industry

In the News

Mar 26, 2025

DefenseNews reports on Commission on Software-Defined Warfare final report

By Atlantic Council

On March 26, Courtney Albon of DefenseNews published an article analyzing the defense industry’s response to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent directive on software acquisition, highlighting Forward Defense's Commission on Software-Defined Warfare report as a key framework for understanding the broader reforms required.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Industry

In the News

Mar 26, 2025

Cartwright and Kandasamy in COTS Journal on the Commission on Software-Defined Warfare

By Atlantic Council

On March 26, COTS Journal published an article by Gen James “Hoss” Cartwright, USMC (ret.) and Jags Kandasamy, Commissioners on Forward Defense’s Commission on Software-Defined Warfare, highlighting key recommendations from the Commission’s final report.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Industry

In the News

Mar 26, 2025

Exclusive on Atlantic Council Commission on Software-Defined Warfare final report published in Axios

By Atlantic Council

On March 26, Colin Demarest of Axios published an exclusive on the Pentagon's software-hardware balance and featured Forward Defense's Commision on Software-Defined Warfare report.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Mar 25, 2025

Experts react: What to know about the US-led Black Sea cease-fire deal with Russia and Ukraine

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts plumb the depths of the new US agreements with Moscow and Kyiv to end hostilities on the Black Sea.

Conflict Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

New Atlanticist

Mar 25, 2025

Peace requires more than a handshake: Misreading Russia’s war aims will prolong Putin’s aggression

By Zak Schneider

Understanding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ideological motivations for invading Ukraine is essential to negotiating a lasting peace.

Conflict Defense Policy

In the News

Mar 24, 2025

Rodriguez, Shanahan, and Sweatt cut into the stakes and opportunities of software-defined warfare on All Quiet on the Second Front podcast

By Atlantic Council

On March 24, Stephen Rodriguez, senior advisor at Forward Defense and director of FD's Commission on Software-Defined Warfare was a featured guest alongside Lt Gen Jack Shanahan on the podcast All Quiet on the Second Front, hosted by Tyler Sweatt.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Industry

In the News

Mar 24, 2025

Bayoumi published in Foreign Policy on how US climate policy is a “win” for Russia

On March 24, Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Initiative in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, was published in Foreign Policy on changing US climate priorities. He argues that a “U-turn” on climate could benefit US adversaries like Russia.  

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Issue Brief

Mar 21, 2025

Clarity is power: The Trump administration needs a new US Navy Navigation Plan

By Bruce Stubbs

The US Navy’s current Navigation Plan (NAVPLAN) is an insufficient document. Bruce Stubbs writes that the Navy must embrace the red and identify course corrections and promote greater clarity, specificity, and transparency in its guidance.

Defense Policy Indo-Pacific

Issue Brief

Mar 21, 2025

China’s exploitation of overseas ports and bases

By Thomas X. Hammes

The control and administration of overseas ports and bases by China poses a serious risk to the United States in the event of a potential conflict. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army could exploit these ports and bases to challenge control of the sea.

China Defense Policy

In the News

Mar 21, 2025

Soofer featured at NSSA’s SpaceTime event on “Golden Dome for America”

By Atlantic Council

On March 20, Forward Defense senior fellow Robert Soofer joined Lt. Gen. Henry “Trey” Obering, USAF (Ret.), and Chris Williams for NSSA’s SpaceTime event, “Golden Dome for America.” The discussion explored the policy, budgetary, and programmatic implications of President Trump’s recent executive order establishing a homeland air and missile defense system.

China Defense Policy

In the News

Mar 20, 2025

Warrick quoted in the Associated Press on cuts to the Department of Homeland Security  

On March 18, Thomas Warrick, a nonresident senior fellow with the Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative, was quoted in the Associated Press on personnel cuts to the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships. He argues that the center is central in averting terrorist attacks by identifying individuals before they perpetrate […]

National Security Politics & Diplomacy

Fast Thinking

Mar 18, 2025

The real meaning of Putin’s 30-day ‘energy cease-fire’ in Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Our experts analyze the proposed limited cease-fire that would temporarily halt attacks on energy infrastructure between Russia and Ukraine.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Mar 18, 2025

Shanker interviewed about the use of drones in Ukraine on the RealClearPolitics podcast

By Atlantic Council

On March 13, Scowcroft Center nonresident senior fellow Thom Shanker was interviewed by Andrew Walworth on the RealClearPolitics podcast to discuss how the use of drones following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has redefined modern warfare. According to Shanker, “Drones have really redefined the battle plan in Ukraine… Currently, 70% of all deaths and injuries in […]

Conflict Defense Technologies

In the News

Mar 17, 2025

Kroenig quoted in the New York Times on Europe’s nuclear posture and US deterrence  

On March 15, Matthew Kroenig, vice president and senior director of the Scowcroft Center, was quoted in the New York Times on European leaders’ discussion of replacing US nuclear protection with European capabilities. He argues that Europe does not have sufficient resources to replace the nuclear umbrella provided by the United States.  

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Mar 17, 2025

Hadley, Fried, and Kramer in Foreign Affairs on the importance of US strength to end the war in Ukraine

On March 7, Atlantic Council Executive Vice Chair Stephen Hadley, Board Director Franklin D. Kramer, and Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow Daniel Fried were published in Foreign Affairs on the imperative of the United States to achieve “peace through strength” to end the war in Ukraine. They argue that Europe should take the lead in bolstering […]

Politics & Diplomacy Russia

Newsletter

Stay connected with us by signing up for our weekly newsletter “The Strategist” to be notified of all upcoming events, new publications, recent media hits, and exclusive updates within the Scowcroft Center:

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and the world.