Forward Defense (FD) generates ideas and connects stakeholders in the defense ecosystem to promote an enduring military advantage for the United States, its allies, and partners. Our work identifies the defense strategies, capabilities, and resources the United States needs to deter and, if necessary, prevail in future conflict.

  • Strategy & policy: FD analyzes the current and future threat environment, identifies strategic choices, and develops and assesses US strategy and policy in pursuit of national objectives.
  • Capabilities & concepts: FD assesses the defense capabilities and emerging technologies that are shaping the battlespace and proposes novel concepts for employing these systems to support US defense strategy.
  • Resourcing & acquisition: FD facilitates government and private sector collaboration to strengthen the defense industrial base, overcome barriers to innovation adoption, and navigate resource tradeoffs to field capabilities in relevant timeframes.

Our focus

Featured Project

Arsenals of Democracy

Learn more about Forward Defense’s Arsenals of Democracy project, including its key efforts, featured speaker series and events, plus more.

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In-depth analysis

Recent articles & reports

Issue Brief

Mar 21, 2025

China’s exploitation of overseas ports and bases

By Thomas X. Hammes

The control and administration of overseas ports and bases by China poses a serious risk to the United States in the event of a potential conflict. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army could exploit these ports and bases to challenge control of the sea.

China Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Mar 21, 2025

Clarity is power: The Trump administration needs a new US Navy Navigation Plan

By Bruce Stubbs

The US Navy’s current Navigation Plan (NAVPLAN) is an insufficient document. Bruce Stubbs writes that the Navy must embrace the red and identify course corrections and promote greater clarity, specificity, and transparency in its guidance.

Defense Policy Indo-Pacific

New Atlanticist

Oct 28, 2024

The US needs a stronger defense industrial base. Option contracts can help.

By Michael Hogan

The US government would pay a premium on current orders, but it would then have the option to purchase a larger amount within a fixed timeframe.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Oct 28, 2024

How the US can counter Russian and Chinese nuclear threats in space

By Peter L. Hays and Sarah Mineiro

As China and Russia bolster their counterspace capabilities, the United States must modernize its space-based nuclear command.

China Nuclear Deterrence

New Atlanticist

Sep 17, 2024

This is not the time for the United States to go soft on Hezbollah

By Jonathan Rosenstein and Eliana Aiken

If Israel decides on a major campaign in Lebanon to remove the threat from Hezbollah, the US should have its ally’s back.

Crisis Management Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Sep 16, 2024

How Ukraine’s Kursk incursion echoes the Gettysburg campaign

By Gregg Curley

Viewing the Kursk incursion through the lens of the climactic campaign of the US Civil War offers a relevant framework for interpreting Ukraine’s motivations, possible outcomes, and long-term strategic objectives.

Conflict Defense Policy

Defense Technology Monitor

Upcoming events

Check back soon for upcoming events.

Flagship convenings

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Meet our team

Check out the Council’s Young Global Professionals program, a paid internship and professional development program, for timelines and current intern openings with Forward Defense.

Scowcroft Center Military Fellows

Forward Defense hosts military fellows from participating branches of the US military and the armed forces of US allies and partners each year. Meet the 2024-2025 class of fellows:

About the program

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.

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