Scowcroft Center Commentary, Analysis, & Reports

Pressure Builds on Iran at Nuclear Watchdog Agency

By Barbara Slavin

As Iran continues a slow march toward potential nuclear weapons capability, diplomatic action to contain the programme is likely to shift to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose director general, Yukiya Amano, has taken a harder line than his predecessor about alleged military research by Iran’s nuclear scientists. Experts on the Iranian nuclear programme […]

Roundtable Strategy Session with Representatives of the Netherlands Ministry of Defense

By Adrienne Chuck

On September 27, the Atlantic Council hosted an off-the-record strategy session with senior representatives of the Royal Netherlands Ministry of Defense, Wim Bargerbos and Joep Wijnands on the views of the Netherlands on key issues in transatlantic defense policy.

Article 5 Ten Years On: Division or Unity?

By Simona Kordosova, the New Atlanticist

From Simona Kordosova, the New Atlanticist:  Ten years ago, in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first and only time in its history.

As Iran Edges Closer to Nukes

By Barbara Slavin

One country is likely to get increasing attention during the presidential campaign: Iran. So it is important to frame the debate about Iran correctly — without hyping or underestimating the possibility it will get nuclear weapons in the near future. Compared to four countries that have developed nuclear weapons outside international norms — Israel, India, […]

Deterrence for the post-9/11 era

By Barry Pavel & Matthew Kroenig

Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker’s new book, Counterstrike: The Untold Story of America’s Secret Campaign Against al Qaeda, credits our role in developing the first US government-wide strategy for deterring terrorist networks. They write that we “crafted a briefing to make the case that a combination of efforts — economic, diplomatic, military, political, and psychological … could in fact […]

Ten Years After 9/11 – What Have We Learned?

By Kurt Volker

After a decade defined by the terrorist attacks on the United States, and the reactions and events that followed, one thing is clear:  the global advance of core values –  freedom, democracy, economic opportunity, human rights and the rule of law – remains the best hope for the future of all people.

Nordic-Baltic Security in the 21st Century

The Atlantic Council today released “Nordic-Baltic Security in the 21st Century: The Regional Agenda and the Global Role,” a compendium of issue briefs on a range of topics related to Nordic-Baltic security, including NATO’s role in the region, energy security, and how the region can play a larger role in the transatlantic community in concert […]