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Forward Defense in-depth analysis

Issue Brief Apr 27, 2023

Integrating US and allied capabilities to ensure security in space

By Nicholas Eftimiades

Nicholas Eftimiades analyzes the potential benefits to US national security offered by allied integration as part of Forward Defense’s series on “Harnessing Allied Space Capabilities.”
China Defense Policy
Forward Defense in-depth analysis

Issue Brief Apr 3, 2023

Game-changers: Implications of the Russo-Ukraine war for the future of ground warfare

By T.X. Hammes

T.X. Hammes describes the most significant gamechangers for ground warfare from the Russo-Ukraine war and the lessons that US, allied, and partner policymakers should draw from the conflict for their own force posture and development.
Conflict Defense Industry
Forward Defense in-depth analysis

Report Feb 2, 2024

Requirements for nuclear deterrence and arms control in a two-nuclear-peer environment

By Greg Weaver and Amy Woolf

Gregory Weaver and Amy Woolf discuss the future of US nuclear posture and arms control, as the United States will soon face two adversaries with peer nuclear arsenals.
Arms Control China

All in-depth research & reports

Report

Nov 25, 2023

Ten challenges to implementing Force Design 2030

By Bruce Stubbs

Bruce Stubbs points out key questions for the success of the US Marine Corps’s Force Design 2030.

China Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Nov 22, 2023

The role of nuclear weapons in a Taiwan crisis

By Gregory Weaver

Nuclear deterrence would be key in a Taiwan crisis, in part because a PLA amphibious fleet would be vulnerable to a US nuclear strike.

China Conflict

Issue Brief

Nov 15, 2023

US homeland missile defense: Room for expanded roles

By Robert Soofer and Matthew Costlow

Matthew Costlow & Robert Soofer explore how expanded roles for US homeland missile defense could enhance deterrence with two nuclear peers

China Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Oct 13, 2023

Where do US Army special operations fit in a world of strategic competition?

By Richard Angle, Leo Blanken, and Philip Swintek

General Richard Angle, Leo Blanken, and Lieutenant Colonel Philip Swintek argue that building and maintaining relationships is the true competitive advantage of Army Special Forces (ARSOF).

Defense Policy National Security

Report

Oct 4, 2023

The sixth domain: The role of the private sector in warfare

By Franklin D. Kramer

The private sector is the “sixth domain” of modern warfare, argues Frank Kramer, and the government should act to protect it.

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Issue Brief

Sep 11, 2023

The draft ended fifty years ago. Can the all-volunteer force survive another fifty?

By James L. Jones, Jr., Arnold Punaro

Retired Marine Corps Generals James L. Jones and Arnold Punaro argue that in its current form the United States’ all-volunteer force is on an unsustainable path.

Civil Society Defense Policy

Strategic Insights Memo

Aug 18, 2023

Employing artificial intelligence and the edge continuum for joint operations

By James E. Cartwright and Jags Kandasamy

In Spring 2023, experts from the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s Forward Defense program and Latent AI convened for discussions on employing artificial intelligence for joint operations. This memo builds upon takeaways and insights gleaned from those meetings.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Technologies

Report

Aug 14, 2023

How modern militaries are leveraging AI

By Tate Nurkin, Julia Siegel

Tate Nurkin and Julia Siegel explore the implications of incorporating artificial intelligence into military operations and the challenges of the US Department of Defense’s adoption of human-machine teaming.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Report

Jul 7, 2023

Building a navy fighting machine

By Bruce Stubbs

Bruce Stubbs explores the barriers impeding the US Navy’s approach to strategy development and force planning and offers recommendations for reform.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Report

Jun 8, 2023

Operationalizing integrated deterrence: Applying joint force targeting across the competition continuum

By Gen James Cartwright, USMC (ret.), Lt Col Justin M. Conelli, USAF, Clementine G. Starling, and Julia Siegel

General James E. Cartwright, Lieutenant Colonel Justin M. Conelli, Clementine G. Starling, and Julia Siegel advance a framework for operationalizing integrated deterrence.

China Defense Industry

Issue Brief

Jun 1, 2023

Autonomy and asymmetry: The future of Norway’s defense 2022-2042

By August Cole

August Cole provides an in-depth examination of Norway’s potential defense strategies, the implications of autonomous drones and artificial intelligence, and the necessary transformation of military norms in response to the threats from Russia and beyond.

Defense Policy Eastern Europe

Issue Brief

May 22, 2023

Roles of the chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

By Arnold Punaro

Major General Arnold Punaro, USMC (ret.) gives an inside look on evolution of the GNA, what factors make for a successful chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the “unfinished business” of the reforms that led to the creation of the CJCS office.

Defense Policy National Security

Issue Brief

May 1, 2023

US strategy and force posture for an era of nuclear tripolarity

By Keir Lieber, Daryl G. Press

Keir Lieber and Daryl Press lay out a vision for the future of US nuclear doctrine and strategy under the condition of nuclear tripolarity.

China Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Apr 27, 2023

Beyond launch: Harnessing allied space capabilities for exploration purposes

By Tiffany Vora

Tiffany Vora assesses current US space exploration goals and highlights areas where US allies are positioned for integration as part of Forward Defense’s series on “Harnessing Allied Space Capabilities.”

China Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Apr 27, 2023

Integrating US and allied capabilities to ensure security in space

By Nicholas Eftimiades

Nicholas Eftimiades analyzes the potential benefits to US national security offered by allied integration as part of Forward Defense’s series on “Harnessing Allied Space Capabilities.”

China Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Apr 27, 2023

The NewSpace market: Capital, control, and commercialization

By Robert Murray

Robert Murray considers the commercial space market and key drivers of development as part of Forward Defense’s series on “Harnessing Allied Space Capabilities.”

China Defense Industry

Issue Brief

Apr 27, 2023

Harnessing allied space capabilities

By Robert Murray, Tiffany Vora, and Nicholas Eftimiades

Forward Defense experts examine how US space strategy can recognize the comparative advantage of allies and partners in space and best harness allied capabilities.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Report

Apr 12, 2023

Atlantic Council Commission on Defense Innovation Adoption interim report  

By Eric Lofgren*, Whitney M. McNamara, and Peter Modigliani

The DoD must accelerate defense innovation adoption from the leading edge of the private sector. This report has ten recommendations to do so.

China Defense Industry

Issue Brief

Apr 3, 2023

Game-changers: Implications of the Russo-Ukraine war for the future of ground warfare

By T.X. Hammes

T.X. Hammes describes the most significant gamechangers for ground warfare from the Russo-Ukraine war and the lessons that US, allied, and partner policymakers should draw from the conflict for their own force posture and development.

Conflict Defense Industry
U.S. Air Force photo by J.M. Eddins Jr.

Hybrid Conflict Project

Dec 22, 2022

Scoping the gray zone: Defining terms and policy priorities for engaging competitors below the threshold of conflict

By Atlantic Council’s Gray Zone Task Force

This Strategic Insights Memo, produced by Forward Defense’s Gray Zone Task Force, considers the scope of modern gray zone activity and the implications for US and allies strategy.

China Defense Policy
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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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