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Forward Defense quick reads

New Atlanticist Feb 9, 2023

Policymakers: Keep Ukrainian soldiers front of mind as this war of attrition continues

By Justin M. Conelli

As the war reaches the one-year mark, leaders concerned about grand strategy need to weigh the suffering and resilience of the soldiers at the front.
Conflict Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
Forward Defense quick reads

New Atlanticist Oct 13, 2023

What needs to change about US nuclear weapons strategy?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts break down the 2023 Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States report.
China Indo-Pacific
Forward Defense quick reads

New Atlanticist Feb 15, 2024

Russian nuclear anti-satellite weapons would require a firm US response, not hysteria

By Clementine G. Starling-Daniels, Mark J. Massa

If fielded, such weapons would directly challenge norms of responsible behavior in space and present a serious risk to all nations’ satellites.
Arms Control Russia

All timely commentary & analysis

New Atlanticist

Nov 3, 2022

Inside the US Nuclear Posture Review’s approach to a new era of three-power nuclear competition

By Katherine Golden

The Atlantic Council hosted current and former Department of Defense, State, and Energy officials to outline the top takeaways from the strategy.

China Nuclear Deterrence

Event Recap

Oct 18, 2022

Congressional oversight of intelligence for great-power competition

By Aidan Poling

Missed our October 4 event on intelligence committee and community reform? Then read the recap here.

China Defense Policy

Transcript

Oct 12, 2022

How the US can prepare to deter China and defend Taiwan in the 2020s

By Atlantic Council

Michèle Flournoy discussed how the United States can maintain a credible deterrent against China in the next decade and beyond as part of the Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense Forum.

China Conflict

New Atlanticist

Oct 11, 2022

Taiwan shows how winning the semiconductor race takes more than money

By Chun-Chao Lin

To match East Asian leaders in chip manufacturing, the US will have to improve its education system and learn from processes down to the factory floor.

China Economy & Business

Hybrid Conflict Project

Sep 30, 2022

How the US can focus its fight against foreign influence operations

By Jennifer A. Counter

Understanding exactly what US adversaries plan to do in the information space is vital to building domestic defenses.

Conflict Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Sep 29, 2022

Russia’s military isn’t ready for an escalation. Ukraine and its partners can exploit that.

By Irina Plaks

Russia’s current policies will inevitably lead to tensions within the country and problems with force quality.

Conflict Crisis Management

Automating the fight

Sep 20, 2022

Is cutting-edge military tech really cheaper than manpower?

By Daniel Vardiman

Automation won’t necessarily lower the military budget—but it will lead to increased readiness and a more effective force.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Event Recap

Sep 14, 2022

Outer space has reached a “tipping point” as activity outpaces space traffic management

By Aidan Poling

A panel of space experts discuss how the US government can encourage the long-term sustainable use of space by establishing a framework for space traffic management.

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

Airpower after Ukraine

Aug 30, 2022

The role of electronic warfare, cyber, and space capabilities in the air littoral

By Zachary Kallenborn

Electronic warfare, cyber, and space operations are critical to successful information operations in the air littoral fight.

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

Airpower after Ukraine

Aug 30, 2022

Commercial satellites are on the front lines of war today. Here’s what this means for the future of warfare.

By Julia Siegel

Commercial space companies are enabling critical warfighting functions in Ukraine and will continue to provide a lifeline in future conflict scenarios.

Defense Technologies Intelligence

Airpower after Ukraine

Aug 30, 2022

The TB2: The value of a cheap and “good enough” drone

By Aaron Stein

The Turkish Bayraktar TB2 is an effective, low-cost tactical weapon on the modern battlefield. While invaluable for all wars, it is not a game-changing technology.

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

Airpower after Ukraine

Aug 30, 2022

A web of partnerships: Ukraine, operational collaboration, and effective national defense in cyberspace

By Sean Atkins

Partnerships strengthen a nation’s cyber defense, as Ukraine’s effective web of cyber partnership demonstrates.

Cybersecurity Defense Policy

Airpower after Ukraine

Aug 30, 2022

The Ukraine war and its impact on Russian development of autonomous weapons

By Samuel Bendett

Moscow’s plans to employ autonomous systems on the battlefield may be set back by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

Airpower after Ukraine

Aug 30, 2022

Air denial: The dangerous illusion of decisive air superiority

By Maximillian K. Bremer and Kelly A. Grieco

The air war in Ukraine challenges traditional paradigms of air superiority. US and allied air forces must instead contemplate air denial strategies.

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

Airpower after Ukraine

Aug 30, 2022

Early lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war as a space conflict

By David T. Burbach

The Russia-Ukraine war may be remembered as the first two-sided space war, offering four preliminary lessons for future conflicts.

China Cybersecurity

Airpower after Ukraine

Aug 30, 2022

Prepared to die: A return to attrition in contested airspace

By Conrad Crane

US defense leaders must re-envision procurement plans to maintain air superiority in the twenty-first century.

Defense Policy Russia

Airpower after Ukraine

Aug 30, 2022

Information warfare in the air littoral: Talking with the world

By Zachary Kallenborn

Information operations play a crucial role in generating mass in the air littoral, the airspace between ground forces.

Cybersecurity Disinformation
Senior Airman Julianne Showalter

Airpower after Ukraine

Aug 30, 2022

AirLand redux? Early lessons from Ukraine

By Michael P. Kreuzer

Ukraine is exploiting the seam between airpower and land-domain assets, hinting that the friction of war at the airland seam is growing.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Airpower after Ukraine

Aug 30, 2022

Air superiority in Ukraine: Be sensitive to Diagoras’s problem

By David Pappalardo

Observers of the war in Ukraine must remain cautious and not draw conclusions merely based on what they see.

China Defense Policy

Airpower after Ukraine

Aug 30, 2022

Will robotized fire power replace manned air power?

By Peter Wilson

Russia’s aerospace campaign points toward the increased robotization of deep-strike systems in modern warfare.

China Cybersecurity
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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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