Scowcroft Center Commentary, Analysis, & Reports

Megacity Slums and Urban Insecurity

By Peter Engelke and Magnus Nordenman

What is the most pressing security challenge facing the world’s megacities? It’s their slums, write Peter Engelke and Magnus Nordenman. Today, they highlight some of the conditions that make them fertile breeding grounds for conflict and instability.

Roundtable on Regional Perspectives on Nuclear Diplomacy with Iran

In November 2013, Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) signed an interim agreement on the Iranian nuclear program. While a significant breakthrough, the deal has not been universally considered a guarantee against Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons. Focusing on regional views of nuclear diplomacy with Iran, the […]

Oren Announcement Lauded

Atlantic Editor at Large Steve Clemons covers the announcement that former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren has joined the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security as ambassador-in-residence:

Finland & NATO: Strategic Cooperation

As Arctic ice recedes the world increasingly eyes the area for natural resources and maritime shipping lanes. NATO’s members and partners in the region are strategically poised to influence the region as it moves from tundra to territory, as militaries come to view the Arctic in a strategic context and various militaries increase their presence […]

Combatant Commands Task Force Meeting Focuses on COCOM Restructuring and Future Challenges

Unified Combatant Commands (UCCs or COCOMS) were created after World War II as a way to organize and streamline United States military engagement around the world. Nine COCOMs exist currently—six based on geographic regions while the remaining three are functionally oriented. After the US Department of Defense discussed the possibility of realigning the current COCOMS, the […]

Workshop on Cybersecurity, Space, and the Future of Deterrence in Northeast Asia

As a result of technological progress, the domains of cyber and space have begun to rise in importance, especially in Northeast Asia where the United States has engaged in extended deterrence since the Cold War with the aim of promoting stability in a strategically complex region.

Briefing on the Potential of New Technologies for Enhanced Deterrence

On January 14, 2014, the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation jointly held a private roundtable briefing with leaders of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. In the briefing, the participants discussed the potential of new technologies for enhanced deterrence. The session was moderated by Barry Pavel, Atlantic Council […]

North Korea: Expect the Unexpected

By Robert A. Manning

Where is North Korea headed? When we last heard from the Boy General, Kim Jong-un, he was rationalizing the sudden and brutal execution of Pyongyang’s No.2,  Jang Sang Thaek, followed by threats to “strike mercilessly without notice” in response to anti-Kim protests in Seoul.

Strategy Session with H.E. Ine Eriksen Søreide

On January 8, the Atlantic Council hosted an off-the-record strategy session with H.E. Ine Eriksen Søreide to discuss strategic priorities for Norway in relation to their partnership with the United States and their contributions to NATO. With the coming drawdown of NATO’s ISAF mission in Afghanistan and the US pivot to Asia, NATO must find […]