All timely commentary & analysis

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
foreign leaders at the Negev Summit

Event Recap

Aug 24, 2022

“An analogous gold spike”: Harnessing the space industrial base for twenty-first century prosperity

By Delharty Manson

A panel of space experts and report authors discuss with Forward Defense how the US government can work with private companies to expand the United States’ competitive edge in the space domain.

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

Hybrid Conflict Project

Aug 5, 2022

China’s opioid challenge: All is fair in law and war

By Tom Ferguson

A former senior official in the US intelligence community maps how the United States should unleash a legal defense against China’s malicious activities—starting with its role in the opioid crisis.

China Intelligence

New Atlanticist

Aug 3, 2022

How the US can curb the North Korean nuclear threat

By Todd Rosenblum

The Biden administration must make the right strategic investments now to stay ahead of the North Korean missile threat.

Crisis Management East Asia

New Atlanticist

Jul 5, 2022

Winning friends and influencing Russians: Three audiences the US should target

By Irina Plaks

The Biden administration needs an offensive strategy that prioritizes transparency and truth to defeat Russian aggression.

Civil Society Disinformation

Press Release

Jun 21, 2022

Atlantic Council announces new commission to reform the defense innovation ecosystem

Commission chaired by Secretaries Mark T. Esper and Deborah Lee James to recommend actions for sharpening US defense-industrial edge.

United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Jun 13, 2022

A shoebox-sized solution: How small satellites can help the US Coast Guard

By Madison Littlepage

To provide adequate coverage in an increasingly trafficked region, the Coast Guard must invest in small satellite technology.

Maritime Security Space

Hybrid Conflict Project

Jun 10, 2022

The future of US security depends on owning the ‘gray zone.’ Biden must get it right.

By Clementine G. Starling-Daniels, Julia Siegel

The United States’ ability to prevail in the gray zone will hinge on coordinating and executing a whole-of-nation response.

Conflict National Security

New Atlanticist

Jun 9, 2022

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: The impact of multiple rocket launcher transfers to Ukraine

By Atlantic Council military fellows

To help Ukraine expel Russian forces from its territory, the United States must begin its full transition to US-made equipment now, write our military fellows. Here’s what that means.

Conflict NATO

Transcript

Jun 2, 2022

NATO allies must not take their unity on Ukraine for granted, says Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth

By Atlantic Council

Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth joined the Atlantic Council to talk about the role the Army will play in carrying out the National Defense Strategy and how the United States will continue to support Ukraine.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Event Recap

May 31, 2022

Secretary Christine Wormuth on how the US Army will support Biden’s forthcoming National Defense Strategy

By Juliette Renaut

Secretary Wormuth discusses the Army’s role in implementing the Biden administration’s strategic priorities, particularly amid an intensifying war in Ukraine and a sustained China threat in the Indo-Pacific theater.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies
James Taiclet at the FD Forum

Event Recap

May 26, 2022

Lockheed Martin CEO James D. Taiclet on 21st century security and the Russia-Ukraine war

By Caroline Steel

At the inaugural Forward Defense Forum, Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet breaks down 21st century security, the war in Ukraine, and new frontiers for defense innovation.

China Conflict

Event Recap

May 25, 2022

Nexus 22 in review

By Alyxandra Marine, Caroline Steel, Christian Trotti

On May 17, 2022, the Scowcroft Center’s Forward Defense practice collaborated with Applied Intuition to host Nexus 22, a symposium at the intersection of autonomy, defense, and national security. The symposium addressed and answered key questions on the future of autonomous systems in competition, deterrence, and warfare.

China Defense Industry

Event Recap

May 18, 2022

Viva la space: Why the commercial small satellite revolution matters for the US government

By Madison Littlepage

A panel of space experts and practitioners discuss with Forward Defense how the US government can leverage commercial small satellite technology to secure the space domain.

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

Press Release

May 17, 2022

Atlantic Council’s Matthew Kroenig Appointed to Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States

Director of Studies and Deputy Director of Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security will bring expertise in nuclear strategy and policy to high-level commission

Arms Control Defense Policy

Automating the fight

May 13, 2022

What does the future of autonomous warfare look like? Four critical questions, answered.

By Forward Defense experts

Experts from the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s Forward Defense practice break down how these autonomous systems will shape the future of battle.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

New Atlanticist

May 11, 2022

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: How Ukraine is taking the fight to Russian soil

By Atlantic Council military fellows

Ukraine is striking behind enemy lines to interrupt Russian supply lines and destabilize its military establishment, according to our military fellows.

Conflict NATO

Transcript

May 2, 2022

The Pentagon needs a new technology strategy to deter Russia and China, says Lockheed Martin CEO

By Atlantic Council

Lockheed Martin Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer James Taiclet joined the Atlantic Council to talk about a security strategy for the twenty-first century.

Conflict Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

May 2, 2022

Diversity in the US space community is mission critical

By Julia Siegel

All of humankind is fascinated by outer space, which is why it should be a domain for all of humankind. Here’s how to make that happen.

Defense Policy National Security

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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.