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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

Mar 23, 2022

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: Moscow’s increased threat against NATO intervention

By Atlantic Council military fellows

Russia has abandoned its goals of rapid victory. Here’s what it’s focusing on instead, according to our military fellows.

Conflict
NATO

New Atlanticist

Mar 16, 2022

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: The weapons Ukraine needs most to win the war

By Atlantic Council military fellows

According to our military experts, the war has transitioned from a lightning offensive to a brutal war of attrition.

Conflict
NATO

Hybrid Conflict Project

Mar 10, 2022

As Russia pounds Ukraine, Putin’s ‘hybrid orchestra’ will keep playing its tune: Respect us

By Jennifer A. Counter

The world has been shaken by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale military assault on Ukraine—a flurry of air strikes, tank advances, naval maneuvers, and even the threatened use of nuclear weapons. But in reality, a “hybrid war” has been going on for years, blending political, military, economic, cyber, and even socially driven activities that have […]

Conflict
Non-Traditional Threats

New Atlanticist

Mar 9, 2022

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: How will Russia stage the battle of Kyiv?

By Atlantic Council military fellows

Russia’s own force miscalculations and fierce Ukrainian opposition have dashed the Kremlin’s hopes of a lightning victory over Ukraine.

Conflict
NATO

Event Recap

Mar 9, 2022

General Dickinson describes how USSPACECOM safeguards US interests in space

By Madison Littlepage

The Commander of US Space Command General James H. Dickinson explains how the United States prepares for and responds to security threats in space as part of Forward Defense’s Commanders Series.

Defense Industry
Missile Defense

New Atlanticist

Mar 2, 2022

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: Why did Russia’s invasion stumble?

By Atlantic Council military fellows

Russian ground forces have become bogged down—but the situation is still perilous.

Belarus
Conflict

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
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Forward Defense leads the Atlantic Council’s US and global defense programming, developing actionable recommendations for the United States and its allies and partners to compete, innovate, and navigate the rapidly evolving character of warfare. Through its work on US defense policy and force design, the military applications of advanced technology, space security, strategic deterrence, and defense industrial revitalization, it informs the strategies, policies, and capabilities that the United States will need to deter, and, if necessary, prevail in major-power conflict.

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