Our mission
Forward Defense (FD) helps the United States and its allies and partners contend with great-power competitors and maintain favorable balances of power. This new practice area in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security produces Forward-looking analyses of the trends, technologies, and concepts that will define the future of warfare, and the alliances needed for the 21st century. Through the futures we forecast, the scenarios we wargame, and the analyses we produce, FD develops actionable strategies and policies for deterrence and defense, while shaping US and allied operational concepts and the role of defense industry in addressing the most significant military challenges at the heart of great-power competition.
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.
FD issues in focus
Defense foresight
Identifying the most important long-term developments, trends, and technologies that are shaping the future geostrategic and military environment.
Defense strategy & policy
Crafting sustainable, nonpartisan strategies with our allies and partners to counter, deter, and overcome the diverse military challenges posed by great-power competitors and other potential adversaries.
Operational concepts, capabilities & posture
Designing novel operational concepts which leverage both emerging defense technologies and traditional capabilities to deter and, if necessary, conduct future wars.
Defense industry & acquisitions
Realigning US and allied defense-industrial bases to ensure collaboration in pursuit of national defense strategies.
The art of war
Applying innovative methodologies such as wargaming, narrative fiction, and the creative arts to tomorrow’s military and defense challenges.
In-depth analysis
Tue, Dec 29, 2020
The Future of DHS Project: Key Findings and Recommendations: Congressional Oversight
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is overseen by more than ninety committees and subcommittees–an oversight burden far greater than any other cabinet department. This issue brief proposes that Congress streamline its oversight of DHS to increase its effectiveness as a department with national security responsibilities.
Issue Brief by
Mon, Nov 30, 2020
The Five Revolutions: Examining defense innovation in the Indo-Pacific region
The Indo-Pacific region has become a center of gravity for innovation in defense technologies and emerging military capabilities. This report explores major drivers of modernization and advances a new framework to capture defense technology and investment efforts in the region.
Report by
Tue, Nov 3, 2020
Embracing underseas robots: a US strategy to maintain underseas superiority in an age of unmanned systems
The future of warfare is progressing towards uncrewed systems and automation. This report takes a look at this trend in the undersea domain, proposing a strategy for the United States to leverage the emerging capacity of unmanned undersea vehicles.
Report by Erich Frandrup
Quick reads
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 10, 2020
Lieutenant General Charles W. Hooper joins Atlantic Council
Former director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency will serve as nonresident senior fellow in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Press Release by
Tue, Oct 20, 2020
Defense Secretary unveils a new strategy for bolstering allies and partnerships in an era of great-power competition
As the United States prepares for long-term competition with adversaries such as China and Russia, the Department of Defense is unveiling new plans to strengthen America’s network of alliances and partnerships. “Our global constellation of allies and partners remain an enduring strength that our competitors and adversaries simply cannot match,” US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said during an Atlantic Council Front Page event on October 20.
New Atlanticist by
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Content series
Scowcroft Center Military Fellows
The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s Forward Defense practice is proud to host Military Fellows from participating branches of the US military and the armed forces of US allies and partners each year as part of a twelve-month fellowship program.
Future of DHS Project
A platform for developing recommendations to improve the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and protect the homeland from the coronavirus, threats to democracy, and other future challenges.
Event series
Commanders Series
The Atlantic Council’s flagship speakers’ forum for senior military and defense leaders. The series provides a platform to discuss current strategic issues with an impressive audience drawn from across Washington’s policy community, including think tanks, media, industry, embassies, and the US government.
Defense-Industrial Policy Series
A platform for senior government executives in defense and aerospace to address the public policies that shape the market for defense goods and services. By engaging the perspective of government leaders about issues at the interface of defense ministries and industries, the series aims to cultivate a constituency for practical solutions to these challenges.
Captains of Industry Series
A platform for senior defense executives to address the public interests their companies serve and the public policies that shape their markets.
Our upcoming & latest events
Core team
