About our work

The Department of Defense needs a clear roadmap to counter today’s myriad security challenges—from strategic competitors and regional aggressors to violent extremist organizations and climate change. Strategic thinking is essential in order to align priorities and ensure US and allied national security.

Forward Defense explores this issue set through frank review of current defense policy, cogent expert analysis of the present security environment, and actionable recommendations for strategy to meet future defense challenges.

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Report

Jul 3, 2025

The National Defense Strategy Project

By Atlantic Council experts

As the world enters a pivotal new phase in global security, the United States must not only respond to current challenges but also anticipate those on the horizon. 

Artificial Intelligence Defense Policy

Latest analysis

Featured reports

Content

Issue Brief

Aug 21, 2025

Addressing China’s military expansion in West Africa and beyond

By Tressa Guenov

As China expands its military reach in West Africa, the United States risks losing strategic ground on the continent. The next National Defense Strategy must confront China’s ambitions beyond the Indo-Pacific, balancing defense diplomacy, bilateral military relationships, and counterterrorism.

Africa China

Issue Brief

Aug 21, 2025

Winning through people: The human capital advantage in great-power competition

By Beth Foster and Alex Wagner

To maintain military readiness, deter conflict, and preserve its technological edge, the United States must prioritize human capital by investing in resilient service members and a skilled civilian workforce.

Defense Policy Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Issue Brief

Aug 19, 2025

A vision for US hypersonic weapons

By Edward Brady and Michael E. White

Hypersonic weapons, if fielded in sufficient numbers to defeat critical targets necessary to degrade adversary capabilities, will enable effective use of traditional weapon systems and allow for future battlefield dominance. A layered defeat construct must be deployed to defend against ballistic and hypersonic missiles targeting US assets.

China Defense Industry

Issue Brief

Jul 24, 2025

Rethinking combined arms for modern warfare

By Edward Brady

To conduct all-domain operations, modern warfare requires a new approach to combined arms. The US military should reassess the future composition of its forces, integrating high-end manned platforms with low-end, attritable vehicles.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Jul 24, 2025

Five pillars for deterring strategic attacks

By Mark J. Massa, Alyxandra Marine

As its highest priority, the Department of Defense must deter strategic attacks on the United States. A five-pillar strategy could guide efforts to prevent nuclear and nonnuclear threats while ensuring resilience and readiness against large-scale nuclear attacks on the US homeland.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

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In the news

In the News

Aug 27, 2025

Punaro discusses the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Bloomberg Radio

By Atlantic Council

On August 5, MajGen Arnold Punaro (ret.), a Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow, discussed developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Bloomberg Radio.

Conflict Defense Industry

In the News

Aug 27, 2025

Arnold Punaro featured in RealClear Defense on restructuring the US military

By Atlantic Council

On August 26, MajGen Arnold Punaro (ret.), a Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow, published an article in RealClear Defense, titled “Restructuring Our Military for a Multi-Front War.”

China Defense Policy

In the News

Aug 5, 2025

Rumbaugh featured on “All Things Financial Management” podcast

By Atlantic Council

On July 30, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Russ Rumbaugh joined host Tom Rhoads on the All Things Financial Management podcast, produced by the Society of Defense Financial Management and Guidehouse.

Defense Policy Financial Regulation

In the News

Jul 29, 2025

Torres publishes on China’s economic statecraft in Latin America

By Atlantic Council

On July 16, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Guido Torres published an article, “Development or Dependence? Rethinking China’s Economic Playbook in the Americas,” on the Irregular Warfare Initiative’s website.

China Defense Policy

In the News

Jul 29, 2025

Torres moderates FIU Gordon Institute space panel

By Atlantic Council

On May 28, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Guido Torres moderated a FIU Gordon Institute space panel, which explored emerging security challenges in the space domain.

China Defense Policy

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.

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