Shaping the post-COVID-19 world together
Tue, Jul 7, 2020
What world post-COVID-19? Three scenarios
This paper is a preliminary look at the geopolitical implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and sketches three scenarios for the possible direction of the global system post-COVID-19.
In-Depth Research & Reports by Mathew Burrows, Peter Engelke
Taking stock: Where are geopolitics headed in the COVID-19 era?
Taking stock: Where are geopolitics headed in the COVID-19 era? The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed pressure points in the global order and threatens to unravel the rules-based international system. This paper examines the geopolitical implications of the pandemic by identifying key strategic shocks and tensions exacerbated by the virus. It also identifies uncertainties for the global order and provides policy recommendations for how the United States and its allies should address the pandemic.
A global strategy for shaping the post-COVID-19 world
The COVID-19 pandemic is an acute public health and economic crisis that is further destabilizing an already weakened rules-based international system. With cooperation, determination, and resolve, however, the United States and its allies can recover from the crisis and revitalize an adapted rules-based system to bring about decades of future freedom, peace, and prosperity.
Featured commentary and analysis
What World Post-COVID-19
This paper is a preliminary look at the geopolitical implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and sketches three scenarios for the possible direction of the global system post-COVID-19.
Defense, survival, and fiction: Implications of COVID-19
Max Brooks joins the Scowcroft Center for a virtual ‘fireside chat’ on the lessons of fiction for disaster preparedness, pandemic prevention, and national defense in the era of COVID-19.
China’s COVID-19 statistics resemble horrific past
The curious spikes in confirmed cases in China following changes in leadership or policy events evokes the terrible statistical manipulation and suffering of the Great Leap Forward.


The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and the world.
Content
Tue, Jan 19, 2021
State of the Order: Assessing December 2020
The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.
Blog Post
Fri, Jan 8, 2021
Future of DHS Project examines the role of Congressional oversight in department reform
On Thursday, December 17, the Scowcroft Center’s Forward Defense practice and the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) hosted a panel of former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials to discuss why now is the time to streamline congressional oversight of DHS.
Event Recap by Julia Siegel
Thu, Dec 31, 2020
Brooks featured in Moment Magazine for 2020’s most-read stories
On December 31, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Max Brooks was featured in an article by Moment Magazine on “The Top 20 Most-Read Stories of 2020.”
In the News by Atlantic Council
Tue, Dec 22, 2020
Build resilience for an era of shocks: NATO 20/2020 podcast
NATO needs a fourth core task to protect allied populations from non-traditional threats like COVID and climate change.
NATO 20/2020 by Anca Agachi
Mon, Dec 21, 2020
State of the Order: Assessing November 2020
The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.
Blog Post
Fri, Dec 18, 2020
Kroenig and Ashford discuss a cyberattack on the US government, top global trends and events in 2020
On December 18, Foreign Policy published a biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and New American Engagement Initiative senior fellow Emma Ashford discussing the latest news in international affairs. In this column, they discuss the cyberattack on the US government, top global trends and events in 2020, and the US-China rivalry.
In the News by Atlantic Council
Wed, Dec 16, 2020
The top ten risks and opportunities for 2021
COVID-19, the kind of “grey swan” event that is predicted but never pinpointed in time, finally came calling in 2020. Drawing on years of foresight experience at the US National Intelligence Council, we are assessing the top 10 risks and opportunities in the new year, for the US in particular, but with global implications.
New Atlanticist by Mathew Burrows, Robert A. Manning
Wed, Dec 2, 2020
America’s fleeting second-mover advantage is here
Though Chinese initiative has upset the status quo, their first move clarifies their vulnerabilities and exposes potential effective counterweights. By acting promptly to exploit these opportunities, the United States can take the second-mover advantage.
New Atlanticist by Matthew R. Crouch
Tue, Nov 24, 2020
Six former and acting secretaries of Homeland Security sign open letter on consolidating Congressional oversight of DHS
On November 4, six former and acting secretaries of Homeland Security signed an open letter to Congressional leadership calling for action to consolidate and strengthen oversight of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) prior to the convening of the 117th Congress.
Future of DHS by Atlantic Council
Wed, Nov 18, 2020
Ashford quoted in the New York Times: 9 ways Biden could change America in January
Emma Ashford’s commentary on potential action of Biden’s foreign policy is quoted in the New York Times. More about our expert
In the News by Atlantic Council