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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

Feb 24, 2022

Experts React: Russia has launched a war against Ukraine. How can the West fight back?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts are weighing in with their thoughts about where this conflict is going and how the West can fight back.

Conflict Defense Policy

Press Release

Feb 24, 2022

Atlantic Council launches major project on US strategy for hybrid conflict

Initiative brings together experts to pioneer a US and allied approach to hybrid conflict amid growing Russian and Chinese gray zone operations

New Atlanticist

Feb 23, 2022

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: Is snatching a seaport Putin’s next move?

By Atlantic Council military fellows

The Kremlin could invade Ukraine beyond the separatist line of control in the Donbas with virtually no unambiguous warning, according to our military experts.

Belarus Conflict

Hybrid Conflict Project

Feb 23, 2022

Today’s wars are fought in the ‘gray zone.’ Here’s everything you need to know about it.

By Forward Defense experts

Our experts help illuminate this shadowy zone of strategic competition—and offer ways for Washington and its allies to begin seizing the advantage. 

China Conflict

Hybrid Conflict Project

Feb 22, 2022

Meet the Gray Zone Task Force

By Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council’s Gray Zone Task Force will bring extensive knowledge and experience of gray zone operations and will provide recommendations for a strategic framework for the United States to respond to hybrid conflict.

Experts react

Feb 21, 2022

Russia just ordered troops into Ukraine again. What happens next?

By Atlantic Council experts

As the fast-moving situation on the ground develops, our experts weigh in on what this moment means for a world that could soon be forever altered.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2022

Twenty questions (and expert answers) about what’s happening with Ukraine and Russia

By Atlantic Council experts

As the crisis in Eastern Europe continues to unfold, we tapped our expert network to answer the burning questions about the implications for Russia, Ukraine, and the wider world.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Feb 16, 2022

Evacuating noncombatants from Ukraine will be a mess. The West needs to ditch the blame game this time.

By Thomas S. Warrick

In a further invasion of Ukraine, Putin would be to blame for any chaos that follows.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Feb 16, 2022

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: Ukraine invasion could happen with less than 12 hours’ notice

By Atlantic Council military fellows

Russia has essentially completed preparations for a large-scale offensive operation and could likely execute a further invasion quickly, according to our military experts

Belarus Conflict

GeoTech Cues

Feb 15, 2022

At the nexus of technology and security: Biometrics at the border

By Seth Stodder, Thomas S. Warrick

In November 2020, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a proposed rule to expand biometric processing to all non-US citizens and remove port limitations on the use of biometrics in the exit environment. The proposal has drawn a flurry of comments, both positive and negative with multiple privacy and immigrant-advocacy organizations raising objections to the continuation of CBP’s use of facial biometrics.

Americas Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2022

Russia’s joint exercise with Belarus reveals what a Ukraine invasion would look like

By Tyson Wetzel

Although Union Courage ’22 has only just begun, it is clear that Russia is focusing on air superiority, close air support, long-range fires, intelligence collection, and combat sustainment.

Belarus Conflict

New Atlanticist

Feb 9, 2022

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: What would a ground offensive against Ukraine look like? Watch the skies.

By Atlantic Council military fellows

Our military experts analyze the greatest defense and security challenges facing the United States and its allies and partners.

Belarus Conflict

Hybrid Conflict Project

Feb 8, 2022

US adversaries have been mastering hybrid warfare. It’s time to catch up.

By Marc Polymeropoulos, Arun Iyer

Bad actors are embracing hybrid warfare. Time is of the essence for Washington to seize the advantage.

Defense Policy Russia

Event Recap

Jan 31, 2022

Future of DHS Project identifies the challenges and opportunities to using biometrics at US borders

By Madison Littlepage

The Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense practice explores the potential value for incorporating advanced biometric systems at US points of entry.

Defense Technologies Migration

New Atlanticist

Jan 31, 2022

The US is unprepared to face the challenge in the Arctic. Here’s what it should do.

By Mir Sadat

It’s time for Washington to craft a truly cohesive National Arctic Strategy.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Strategic Insights Memo

Nov 30, 2021

After Kabul: US and allied policy options in Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council and DT Institute

On September 1, 2021, the Atlantic Council and DT Institute ran an expert-driven matrix wargame to: (1) explore major policy dilemmas on the horizon after the US-led coalition withdrawal; and (2) forecast state behavior and assess emerging risks in the wake of the crisis. This Strategic Insights Memo captures the key takeaways from that wargame and the implications for great-power competition, regional security, and humanitarian issues in South Asia and the Middle East.

Afghanistan Conflict

Article

Nov 1, 2021

The consequences of a US overreaction to the perceived threat of terrorism

By Christopher Preble

In the twenty years since 9/11, for example, favorable attitudes toward the United States have declined globally, with some of the sharpest declines in key US allies like Germany and the United Kingdom.

Nationalism Politics & Diplomacy

Event Recap

Oct 18, 2021

Generals Jones and Major General Punaro discuss bureaucratic inefficiencies in the Department of Defense

By Jacob Mezey

Generals Jones and Punaro consider ways to respond to bureaucratic inefficiencies in the Department of Defense.

Defense Industry Defense Policy
Photo: U.S. Air Force

Event Recap

Sep 17, 2021

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff discusses the future of deterrence

By Jacob Mezey

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen John E. Hyten discusses deterrence for the twenty-first century.

China Defense Industry

Fast Thinking

Sep 16, 2021

FAST THINKING: Can Australian nuclear subs help corner China?

By Atlantic Council

What impact will this deal have on competition with China? What about the allies left high and dry? Our experts emerged from the deep with the answers.

Australia China
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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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