Scowcroft Center Commentary, Analysis, & Reports

Transcript: Debating the United States’ Role in Afghanistan After 2014

Full transcript of the July 30 event “Debating the United States’ Role in Afghanistan After 2014” hosted by the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center and Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security.

Winding Down the War: What Roles for US and NATO Forces in Afghanistan Post 2014?

By Jason Harmala

On July 30, the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security and South Asia Center will host an event on the strategic imperatives facing the United States and its allies after the 2014 drawdown in Afghanistan.

Mutually Assured Stability: Establishing US-Russia Security Relations for a New Century

By Celeste Wallander

This Strategic Analysis issue brief, authored by Celeste Wallander, argues that the Mutually Assured Destruction concept which has dominated US-Russian security relations since the outset of the Cold War is neither an adequate nor cost-effective strategy to sustain stability in the twenty-first century. The optimal strategy for the United States and Russia is instead Mutually […]

Can Gratitude Improve American Policy in Afghanistan?

By Jeff Lightfoot

General de Gaulle is attributed to have said “Countries have no friends, only interests.” He offered this contribution to international relations theory from his war-time exile in London, where he depended entirely on the hospitality of the British government for the survival of Free France.

US, China Drift Toward Zero Sum

By Robert A. Manning

For all the soaring rhetoric of the Obama-Xi Summit about the US and China committing to forge a bold, new partnership and avoiding a 1914-like stumbling into conflict, one could be forgiven for thinking the bilateral relationship is lapsing into a “same old, same old” ritualistic diplomacy.

Long-Term Trends and their Implications for the Transatlantic Partnership

On Tuesday, July 16, the Atlantic Council’s Strategic Foresight Initiative and Program on Transatlantic Relations hosted a roundtable discussion on “Long-Term Trends and their Implications for the Transatlantic Partnership.” Fred Kempe, Atlantic Council president and CEO, provided opening remarks for the event. Moderation of remarks was provided by Fran G. Burwell, vice-president and director of […]

The Transatlantic Link Series: The Path to the 2014 NATO Summit

On July 3, the Atlantic Council held an off-the-record video conference with high level NATO officials to recommend policies crafted during the Atlantic Council’s NATO in a New Security Landscape conference and discuss agenda topics for the 2014 NATO Summit.

US Rebalancing Asia, Not Containing China

By Robert A. Manning

A widely held belief among many in China is that every US policy move affecting the country is part of a concerted strategy of containment aimed at preventing its reemergence. Thus, the US “rebalancing” in Asia, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the US alliances with Japan, South Korea and Australia are all components of a US […]

Strategy Session with Swedish Minister of Defense Enstrom

By Jason Harmala

On June 27, 2013 the Atlantic Council hosted H.E. Karin Enstrӧm, Sweden’s minister of defense, for a strategy session focused on Sweden’s defense and security relationship with the US and NATO, as well as security developments in the Nordic-Baltic region.

Roundtable on US Missile Defense Strategy with Elaine Bunn

On Tuesday, June 25, the Atlantic Council hosted an off-the-record roundtable discussion on the United States’ missile defense strategy with Elaine Bunn, the recently appointed deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy.

Toward a Global Missile Defense Architecture

By Ian Brzezinski

The increasing prevalence of ballistic missiles has been highlighted by the latest tensions with North Korea, the ongoing confrontation with Iran, and Syria’s savage civil war. Approximately thirty countries are now armed with ballistic missiles. This number will grow, as will the range, accuracy, and lethality of the ballistic missiles available to friend and foe […]

MAD About You

By Ellen Tauscher and Igor Ivanov

After a series of setbacks and disappointments during President Barack Obama’s first term, U.S.-Russian political dialogue is finally gaining momentum.