Forward-looking…

Strategy requires foresight. Leveraging the Scowcroft Center’s cutting-edge strategic foresight practice, Forward Defense helps identify the most important long-term developments, trends, and technologies that are shaping the future geostrategic and military environment.

Emerging military technology

Nontraditional threats

Modeling the geopolitical future

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Experts and futurists

More on defense foresight & technology

Issue Brief

Jul 3, 2025

A US defense strategy to win the next conflict

By Clementine G. Starling-Daniels

Amid rising global tensions and rapid technological change, the forthcoming National Defense Strategy is set to reshape US military strategy. Its success hinges on five key priorities.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Jul 3, 2025

Homeland defense in an era of new strategic threats

By Clementine G. Starling-Daniels, Amy Cowley

From launching cyberattacks to targeting critical infrastructure, US rivals are bringing the fight closer to home. Defending against these threats will require not just military might, but smarter defense planning, greater resilience, and military modernization.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Jul 3, 2025

A pivot to China—not Asia

By Clementine G. Starling-Daniels, Edward Brady, Theresa Luetkefend

The next National Defense Strategy must prioritize competition with China beyond the Indo-Pacific—and clearly define how to recalibrate the size, structure, and posture of US forces.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Jul 2, 2025

Ukraine’s drone wall is Europe’s first line of defense against Russia

By David Kirichenko

Ukraine’s drone wall is rapidly emerging as Europe’s first line of defense against the mounting military threat posed by an expansionist Russia, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Jul 1, 2025

Putin’s escalating air offensive is overwhelming Ukraine’s defenses

By Mykola Bielieskov

Russian aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities are expanding rapidly and killing growing numbers of civilians. Kyiv must urgently find technological solutions to defend against Putin’s escalating air offensive, writes Mykola Bielieskov.

Conflict Defense Industry

Forward Defense, housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, 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.