Featured content

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 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

Fast Thinking

Sep 15, 2021

FAST THINKING: Missiles are flying again on the Korean peninsula

By Atlantic Council

Is nuclear diplomacy with the North all but dead? How worried should we be about these missiles?

Arms Control Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2021

Confronting the disaster left behind in Afghanistan

By Mir Sadat

The United States screwed up the endgame in Afghanistan once again, but working with allies and private rescue efforts, there’s time to make things right.

Afghanistan Conflict

Article

Sep 7, 2021

Extremist communications: The future is corporate

By Jennifer A. Counter

Digital platforms have enabled white supremacists such as The Base to build out networks in North America, Europe, and Australia, and provide extremist groups with a low- to zero-cost means to disseminate their messages.

National Security Security & Defense

Article

Sep 7, 2021

Does treating Syria as a State Sponsor of Terrorism advance or hold back US national security interests?

By Nate Rosenblatt

In 1979, the United States designated Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism, putting it on its first-ever such list along with Libya, Iraq, and the former South Yemen.

Middle East National Security

Article

Sep 7, 2021

Combating domestic extremism means combating the insider threat in law enforcement

By Mary McCord

Dozens of law enforcement officers have been investigated or charged for their participation in events culminating in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol.

National Security Nationalism

Article

Sep 7, 2021

Preparing for future concepts in terrorism: Non-kinetic acts and decentralization

By Arun Iyer

Twenty years ago, on September 11, 2001, the world saw a coordinated attack on the United States that struck us as “unimaginable” at the time.

National Security Security & Defense

Article

Sep 7, 2021

Facing the future of bioterrorism

By Barry Pavel and Vikram Venkatram

Biotechnology has developed at an astounding rate over the first twenty years of the twenty-first century. Emerging biotechnological tools have become cheaper and more accessible than ever before, and less expertise is necessary to use those tools effectively.

Security & Defense Terrorism

Article

Sep 7, 2021

OPINION: We are all responsible for 6/5

By Max Brooks

If there is any hope of preventing another 6/5, and defusing the smoldering rebellion behind it, we must first admit that we are all to blame.

Security & Defense Terrorism
Load More

Subscribe

Sign up for updates from Forward Defense to hear the latest on the trends, technologies, and military challenges shaping tomorrow.



  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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.

Learn more