Scowcroft Center Commentary, Analysis, & Reports

Transforming NATO Forces: European Perspectives

The papers in this compendium were prepared for a conference in October 2002 designed to illuminate European perspectives on the growing transatlantic military capabilities gap and on how this gap might be bridged. The conference was organized into four panels: the first focused broadly on capabilities, the second on “Spending More Wisely” initiatives, the third […]

Staying the course: Opportunities and limitations in U.S.-China relations

This paper discusses US relations with the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan. It is based on a report by a delegation of former military and defense policy leaders that were sent to visit Beijing and Taiwan to examine the longer-term issues in relations among the three countries. The paper concludes by offering recommendations for […]

Managing Proliferation Issues With Iran

Any government in Tehran will be inclined to seek weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missile delivery options given the realities of its strategic environment. These weapons might help Iran to deter potential external threats, to achieve equality with other major regional powers armed with WMD, and to attain self-reliance in national security, given the […]

Thinking Beyond the Stalemate in U.S.-Iranian Relations: Volume II

By Elaine L. Morton

This report examines the full range of US interests in the US-Iran stalemate and suggests measures that could become part of a new strategic approach. It identifies the major issues that will need to be addressed if US-Iranian relations are to improve. In doing so it identifies areas in which cooperative endeavors might serve the […]

The Bulgarian Defense Industry: Strategic Options for Transformation, Reorientation, and NATO Integration

By Jeffrey P. Bialos

This report identifies strategic options available to the Bulgarian government and its defense industry, as well as the United States and its NATO partners, for transforming and repositioning the industry for the 21st century and facilitating its integration into the NATO and European Union industrial base. Since other Partnership for Peace (PfP) countries that are […]

Thinking Beyond the Stalemate in U.S.-Iranian Relations: Volume I

By Elaine L. Morton

This publication addresses the stalemate between the US and Iran. It argues that the stalemate satisfies emotionally many Americans but does not serve overall US interests. According to the paper, it hinders the achievement of several key US geopolitical interests, especially over the longer term. Download the PDF

Strategic Assesment of Central Eurasia

By Charles Fairbanks, S. Frederick Starr, C. Richard Nelson, and Kenneth Weisbrode

This assessment outlines a basis for U.S. national security planning related to Central Eurasia over the next ten years. The region covered encompasses the five former Soviet states of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and the three former Soviet states of the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia). Download the […]

European Views of National Missile Defense

By Stephen Cambone, Ivo Daalder, Stephen J. Hadley, and Christopher J. Makins

In this situation, the Atlantic Council decided that it would be timely to send to European capitals a team of respected leaders and experts involved in the missile defense debate in the United States. Their purpose was to engage a wide range of European leaders and experts both inside and outside governments, in intensive dialogue […]