Scowcroft Center Commentary, Analysis, & Reports - Atlantic Council

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In the News

Preble on the Net Assessment podcast: 2020 in review

By Atlantic Council

On the December 17 Net Assessment podcast, Christopher Preble joined co-hosts Melanie Marlowe of CSIS and AEI’s Zack Cooper in a review of developments over the last year and a debate over what might happen in 2021. Topics included Lloyd Austin’s nomination for secretary of defense, and the Trump administration’s best and worst foreign policy […]

Americas Security & Defense

In the News

Borghard in WIRED: Russia’s hack wasn’t cyberwar. That complicates US strategy

By Atlantic Council

Erica and co-author Jacquelyn Schneider discuss the SolarWinds hack and its implication in terms of U.S. cyber strategy, analysing the concepts of deterrence and defend forward. More about our expert

Cybersecurity Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

The top ten risks and opportunities for 2021

By Mathew Burrows, Robert A. Manning

COVID-19, the kind of “grey swan” event that is predicted but never pinpointed in time, finally came calling in 2020. Drawing on years of foresight experience at the US National Intelligence Council, we are assessing the top 10 risks and opportunities in the new year, for the US in particular, but with global implications.

Africa Coronavirus

In the News

Ashford in World Politics Review: What’s worth salvaging from Trump’s foreign policy

By Atlantic Council

On December 16, Emma Ashford was featured on World Politics Review’s Trend Lines podcast, discussing the legacies of the Trump administration and the future of foreign policy. More about our expert

Politics & Diplomacy United States and Canada

In the News

CBS produces drama ‘Burn In’ based on Cole’s novel

By Atlantic Council

On December 15, CBS Studios put into development Burn In, an AI drama based on Burn In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution by Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow August Cole and P.W. Singer.

Non-Traditional Threats Technology & Innovation

In the News

Manning quoted in Newsweek: Hunter Biden corruption probe could humiliate China too

By Robert A. Manning

On December 16, Robert Manning was quoted in Newsweek discussing the Hunter Biden probe and US-China relations. “More revelations about Hunter, if there are any, could be bad for both Biden and China. ‘My sense is that China is looking to put a floor under, to stabilize, a U.S.-China relationship in free fall,’ Robert Manning, […]

Politics & Diplomacy United States and Canada

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Guidelines for implementation

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig

This strategy proposes a clear and comprehensive plan for competition with China. While it is possible to implement this strategy piecemeal, the various elements of the strategy are mutually reinforcing.

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Strengths and weaknesses of the principal competitors

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig

The development of a good strategy for any competition should begin with an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the principal competitors.

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Defend likeminded allies and partners and the rules-based system from China and impose costs on China when it violates international standards

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig

In addition to strengthening themselves to compete with China, likeminded allies and partners must be prepared to defend themselves and the rules-based international system from threatening Chinese behavior.

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Elements of the strategy

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig

To achieve the strategy's goals, likeminded allies and partners should follow a three-part strategy for China: Strengthen, Defend, and Engage.

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Strategic context: The rules-based international system

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig

The post-World War II, rules-based international system, led by likeminded allies and partners, has produced unprecedented levels of peace, prosperity, and freedom, but it is coming under increasing strain. A foremost challenge to the system is the return of great-power competition with revisionist, autocratic states—especially China.

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Strengthen likeminded allies and partners and the rules-based international system

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig

Likeminded allies and partners must strengthen themselves, their alliances, and the rules-based system for a new era of great-power competition.

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Engage China from a position of strength to cooperate on shared interests and incorporate China into an adapted rules-based system

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig

As they compete, likeminded allies and partners should look for opportunities to collaborate with China on areas of mutual interests.

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Other aspects of the strategic context

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig

The COVID-19 pandemic, shifts in the global balance of power, a loss of confidence in the West, and other challenges are straining the rules-based international system.

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

The goals of the strategy

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig

Any good strategy must begin with a clear set of objectives, but likeminded allies and partners have not yet articulated a clear set of goals for their competition with China.

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Assumptions of the strategy

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig

Previous strategies toward China have been built on certain assumptions, and this strategy is no different.

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

The China opportunity

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig

Despite serious conflicts of interest, there are several areas in which cooperation with China is necessary to advance likeminded allies and partners’ interests.

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

The China challenge

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Matthew Kroenig

China presents a serious challenge to likeminded allies and partners, and to the rules-based system. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has launched itself on a more confrontational course.

In the News

Crouch in DOD Reads on “Anchors: Ethical and Practical Maxims”

By Atlantic Council

On December 15, Forward Defense senior military fellow LtCol Matthew Crouch wrote a book review in DOD Reads on "Anchors: Ethical and Practical Maxims" by Rafeel Benitez.

Security & Defense United States and Canada

In the News

Crouch in DOD Reads on “The White Donkey”

By Atlantic Council

On December 15, Forward Defense senior military fellow LtCol Matthew Crouch wrote a book review in DOD Reads on "The White Donkey" by Maximilian Uriarte.

Security & Defense United States and Canada

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