Scowcroft Center Commentary, Analysis, & Reports

NATO Defense Ministerial Debrief

By Jason Harmala

On February 26, the Atlantic Council hosted James J. Townsend, Jr., deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO Policy, for a roundtable discussion on the outcomes of the NATO Defense Ministerial Meetings which took place February 21-22, 2013 in Brussels.

Tunisia and the Clash Within Civilizations

By Rajan Menon

Earlier this month, Tunisian opposition leader Chokri Belaid was shot dead outside his home. Belaid’s death has shaken Tunisia, but it also illuminates larger trends in the post-revolution Arab world.

Cyber Conflict and the WPR: Congressional Oversight of Hostilities in the Fifth Domain

By Jason Healey and A.J. Wilson

The Obama administration is sending mixed messages about the role that Congress should play in creating policies that would prevent the possibility of a catastrophic cyber attack, according to a new issue brief released by the Cyber Statecraft Initiative of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security.  Download the PDF

Setting a Defense-Industrial Policy Agenda for the Second Term

By Jason Harmala

The Atlantic Council welcomed Brett Lambert, deputy assistant secretary of defense for manufacturing and industrial base policy at the US Department of Defense, and William Greenwalt, vice president of acquisition policy at Aerospace Industries Association on Wednesday, February 20 at the Army-Navy Club to discuss an effective defense-industrial policy for the second Obama administration.

Strategy Session on the US Air Force and Cyber Operations

By Jason Harmala

On Friday, February 15, 2013, the Cyber Statecraft Initiative of the Atlantic Council hosted a roundtable discussion on the US Air Force and cyberspace operations with Lt Gen Michael Basla, the Air Force’s A6, chief of information dominance and chief information officer.

Is China Choking on Success?

By Robert A. Manning

A popular app on smartphones in Beijing is the US Embassy’s Air Quality Index measurement. No wonder: Until last year, even as the air in China’s capitol has increasingly come to resemble that of an airport smoking area, its ruling elite have refused to make public its air-quality levels or even admit a problem.

Feeding Urban World 2030: Rethinking the Food Security Equation

On Thursday, February 14, 2013 the Atlantic Council’s Strategic Foresight initiative (SFI), of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, hosted a roundtable discussion with Dr. Robert D. Hormats, US undersecretary of state for growth, energy and the environment; Mr. Henk Ovink, Dutch director general for spatial planning and water affairs; Mr. Andras Forgacs, co-founder […]

European Willpower Better Than its Reputation

By Simona Kordosova

The US “pivot” to Asia, withdrawal of US forces from Europe, and lack of attention to the region in President Obama’s major visits and speeches suggest the United States no longer sees Europe as a worthy partner. However, the administration should think twice before writing it off as a strategic ally.

Beijing Misreads US Rebalancing in Asia

By Robert A. Manning

Writing in the Global Times Thursday, Chinese scholar Zhou Fangyin argued that the US rebalancing to Asia is having significant regional effects, largely targeted at China.A great deal has been written about the Obama administration’s “rebalancing” in Asia by Chinese analysts. Unfortunately, much of it overstates the amount of change in US policy, the impact […]

The United States and the Gulf States: Uncertain Partners in a Changing Region

Given the continued congruence of interests between the Gulf states and the United States and the potential for some Gulf states to play an even greater regional and global role, now is the time to reexamine the partnership and de-conflict interests. On February 7, Hariri Center senior fellow and retired US career diplomat Richard LeBaron […]

The US and the Gulf States: uncertain partners in a changing region

By Richard LeBaron

The Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East and the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security are pleased to release a new issue brief, “The United States and the Gulf States: Uncertain Partners in a Changing Region.” Senior Fellow Richard LeBaron evaluates the relationship between the United States and the Gulf states as they face […]

Georgia’s Diplomatic Shuffle

By Laura Linderman

“America is our biggest and strongest partner, and for a country like Georgia, this is the most important diplomatic post you can imagine,” current Georgian Ambassador to the United States Temuri Yakobashvili recently told the Washington Diplomat. So when he steps down on March first, his replacement will be a key player in the US-Georgian […]