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 25, 2025

Experts react: NATO allies agreed to a 5 percent defense spending target in a low-drama summit. Now what?

By Atlantic Council experts

The Alliance summit was notable for what was said and done, especially about defense spending—but also for what was left off the agenda.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Jun 25, 2025

Taussig quoted in Financial Times on Trump’s comments aboard Air Force One

By Torrey Taussig

On June 25, Transatlantic Security Initiative director and senior fellow Torrey Taussig was quoted in Financial Times on reactions from NATO allied officials after President Trump commented that Washington’s commitment to Article 5 “depends on your definition.”

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Jun 25, 2025

Taussig quoted in POLITICO on lessons from the NATO Summit

By Torrey Taussig

On June 25, Transatlantic Security Initiative director and senior fellow Torrey Taussig was quoted in POLITICO arguing that the 2025 NATO Summit in the Hague was “a moderate success.”

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Jun 25, 2025

Taussig quoted in New York Times on the NATO Summit Agenda

By Torrey Taussig

On June 25, Transatlantic Security Initiative director and senior fellow Torrey Taussig was quoted in the New York Times on Ukraine’s omission from the NATO Summit agenda.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Jun 24, 2025

Kroenig quoted in the New York Times on the NATO summit

On June 24, Matthew Kroenig, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director, was quoted in the New York Times on the five-percent target discussed at the NATO summit in The Hague. He noted that allies may be able to coalesce around the goal if they are “fuzzy on the timeline” but that Spain’s […]

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Jun 24, 2025

Kroenig in the Washington Post on President Trump’s nuclear nonproliferation strategy

On June 24, Matthew Kroenig, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director, was published in the Washington Post on the precedent set by the Trump administration through its attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. He argues that “the United States could capitalize on this moment and declare a new foreign policy doctrine of counterproliferation […]

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jun 24, 2025

Kroenig in the Associated Press on concerns in Europe ahead of the NATO summit

On June 24, Matthew Kroenig, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director, was quoted in the Associated Press on the worries felt by many European allies that the United States may leave NATO or not fulfill its Article V commitments.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

New Atlanticist

Jun 24, 2025

The ‘ironclad’ US-South Korea alliance is outdated. A new age requires a ‘titanium’ alliance.

By Markus Garlauskas

Washington and Seoul must set a new foundation for the seventy-year-old alliance that reflects the current strategic environment.

Crisis Management Defense Policy

In the News

Jun 24, 2025

Kroenig quoted in the New York Times on the attacks on Iran’s nuclear program

On June 22, Matthew Kroenig, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director, was quoted in the New York Times on Israeli and US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities and scientists, particularly on if Tehran will work to rebuild its program.

Iran Israel

In the News

Jun 24, 2025

Ullman featured in the Hill on possible escalation after US strike on Iran’s nuclear capabilities

On June 24, Atlantic Council Senior Advisor Harlan Ullman published an op-ed in the Hill analyzing the aftermath of the recent US strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. He cautions that the operation may mark the start of increased US engagement rather than a final act.

Iran Middle East

New Atlanticist

Jun 23, 2025

Expect NATO’s new spending pledge to be overshadowed by weakening US commitment and inaction on Ukraine

By Ian Brzezinski, Ryan Arick

The Hague summit will ultimately be defined by what the US president communicates about his commitment to transatlantic security and what NATO allies do to support Ukraine.

Defense Policy NATO

In the News

Jun 23, 2025

Deni and Arick in Stars and Stripes on NATO’s defense investment pledge

By Ryan Arick, John R. Deni

On June 23, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident senior fellow John Deni and associate director Ryan Arick were quoted in Stars and Stripes on NATO’s new defense investment pledge and how the Alliance should consider new expenditures related to defense and security.

Fast Thinking

Jun 22, 2025

How will Iran respond to US strikes on its nuclear program?

By Atlantic Council

Following the US strike on Iranian nuclear sites, Iran’s foreign minister said his country must respond. Atlantic Council experts look at Tehran’s options.

Conflict Iran

Trackers and Data Visualizations

Jun 20, 2025

NATO defense spending tracker

By Kristen Taylor, Julia Salabert

The Transatlantic Security Initiative's NATO defense spending tracker delves into data and figures to analyze current defense spending trends.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

New Atlanticist

Jun 20, 2025

What counts as ‘defense’ in NATO’s potential 5 percent spending goal?

By John R. Deni, Ryan Arick

The Alliance must ensure that “defense related” items truly contribute to collective defense as it plans its new, larger spending goal.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jun 17, 2025

Zier interviewed on ABC News on how the US should navigate the Israel-Iran conflict

On June 17, Carolien Zier, nonresident senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative, was interviewed on ABC News on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran and potential US responses. She emphasized that the US has the critical imperative to protect its forces in the region while standing firm with its allies.

Conflict Israel

In the News

Jun 17, 2025

Bayoumi quoted in the Washington Examiner on Canada’s cooperation on Trump’s Golden Dome

On June 17, Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Initiative, was quoted in the Washington Examiner emphasizing the need for clarity on the scope and objectives of US President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome defense system to secure Canadian support.

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

In the News

Jun 16, 2025

Ullman in the Hill on how the simultaneity of crises threaten US national security

On June 16, Atlantic Council Senior Advisor Harlan Ullman published an op-ed in the Hill warning of a potential “crisis point” for the US government if domestic immigration protests intensify while tensions escalate in the Middle East. He argues that convergence of crises at home and abroad could overwhelm policymakers and stain the US government’s […]

Middle East National Security

New Atlanticist

Jun 16, 2025

How the US can reduce the risk of wider war in the Middle East

By Caroline Zier

Five steps taken now can help put the White House in a better position to manage the spiral of escalation between Israel and Iran.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jun 16, 2025

Kroenig quoted in Time on Israel’s strikes on Iran

On June 13, Matthew Kroenig, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director, was quoted in Time on the motivations behind the airstrikes Israel directed at Iranian nuclear sites, as well as its military leaders and scientists.

Conflict Iran

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