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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

Article

Sep 7, 2021

The global war on terrorism wrecked relations with Iran

By Barbara Slavin

The most fundamental strategic error of the George W. Bush administration following the September 11, 2001, attacks was launching a “Global War on Terrorism” that failed to distinguish properly between those responsible for the 9/11 attacks and other US adversaries.

Iran Middle East

Article

Sep 7, 2021

Counterterrorism and great-power competition

By Nathan Sales

For nearly two decades after the attacks of September 11, 2001, counterterrorism was the United States’ top national security and foreign policy priority. That is no longer the case, as resources and policy maker bandwidth are increasingly shifting to challenges associated with peer and near-peer rivals such as China and Russia.

China Middle East

Article

Sep 7, 2021

An intellectual reckoning on counterterrorism

By LTG Michael Nagata

The time has come for the US counterterrorism community to undertake a difficult and probably painful review of whether the United States’ current practices and investments are sufficiently advancing its strategic interests and policy goals against terrorism.

Security & Defense Terrorism

Article

Sep 7, 2021

The enduring threat of domestic terrorism

By Javed Ali

The Biden administration has rightly prioritized domestic terrorism as the number one counterterrorism concern in the United States.

National Security Security & Defense

Article

Sep 7, 2021

Hyper-tribalism and the US domestic terrorism threat

By Christopher P. Costa

After the January 6, 2021, breach of the US Capitol, the consequences of polarization, disinformation, and hyper-tribalism make domestic political violence the most pressing terrorism challenge facing US counterterrorism.

Nationalism Politics & Diplomacy

Article

Sep 7, 2021

We are in the interwar period

By Thomas S. Warrick

In September 2021, the United States is only in between major terrorist attacks. This prediction should not be controversial—but today this way of looking at counterterrorism is.

Middle East National Security

New Atlanticist

Sep 1, 2021

How to avoid another state-building failure after Afghanistan

By Frank Ruggiero

Why did the United States continue a state-building policy after al-Qaeda was dismantled? And how can it learn to use force to negotiate the peaceful end to its next conflict?

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Aug 10, 2021

Why is US defense acquisition falling behind? Blame the TINA paradox.

By John F. Wharton and Tate Nurkin

In order to safeguard taxpayer dollars and foster innovation in military technology, it’s time to rethink the Truth in Negotiations Act.

Defense Industry Defense Policy
Force Posture

Strategic Insights Memo

Aug 5, 2021

A new strategy for US global defense posture

By Matthew Crouch, Barry Pavel, Clementine G. Starling, and Christian Trotti

This Policy Brief, produced by the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s Forward Defense team, recommends a novel strategy for US global force posture to strengthen deterrence and competitive leverage vis-à-vis China, Russia, and other challengers. It addresses multifaceted challenges abroad, allocates missions according to mobility and range, lays the foundation for emerging technologies, and facilitates robust cooperation with allies and partners.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Event Recap

Jul 30, 2021

Securing digital infrastructure: How transatlantic partners can lead transformative investment in global connectivity

By Alyxandra Marine

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Rep. Ro Khanna, and NSC Sr. Director Peter Harrell spoke at the Atlantic Council on challenges to securing infrastructure and the promise of a “trusted connectivity” approach.

China Cybersecurity

Press Release

Jul 28, 2021

Atlantic Council releases issue brief on security of defense trade

New analysis offers an inside look at defense trade agreements between the US and its allies, with recommendations for enhancing the security of these supply chains

Security & Defense

Transcript

Jul 14, 2021

Estonian Prime Minister H.E. Kaja Kallas on securing digital infrastructure with ‘trusted connectivity’

By Atlantic Council

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Rep. Ro Khanna, and NSC Sr. Director Peter Harrell speak at the Atlantic Council on challenges to securing infrastructure and the promise of a “trusted connectivity” approach.

China Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Jul 13, 2021

Rallying the world’s democracies with ‘trusted connectivity’

By Kaush Arha

As a framework for investments in global infrastructure by democratic nations, the concept of ‘trusted connectivity’ can serve as a counterweight to efforts like China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2021

Estonian president: Our connected world needs a trusted architecture

By Nick Fouriezos

Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and Anne Neuberger, deputy US national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology, made the case for “trusted connectivity” at the Atlantic Council.

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2021

The Free World vs. China and Friends: It’s ideology, stupid

By Kaush Arha

As the Chinese Communist Party celebrates its one hundredth anniversary, the US must sharpen the ideological contrast. For a nation conceived as an idea, the refusal to lead with the force of ideas is not only unbecoming—it is self-defeating.

China European Union
Photo: US Air Force

Event Recap

Jul 1, 2021

Air Force Chief of Staff discusses air warfare in an era of strategic competition

By Vikram Venkatram

Forward Defense hosts the Chief of Staff of the US Air Force to discuss twenty-first century air warfare as part of the Commanders Series.

China Defense Industry

Transcript

Jun 30, 2021

Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid on combating digital threats with ‘trusted connectivity’

By Atlantic Council

The Estonian president and Anne Neuberger, US deputy national security advisor for cybersecurity and emerging technology, appeared at the Atlantic Council to discuss the world’s digital challenges ahead. Here’s the full transcript.

Cybersecurity Internet

Event Recap

Jun 12, 2021

Achieving security in space: A recap of The Atlantic Council space strategy launch

By Raphael Piliero

Sixty years since the first human launched into orbit, what is the future of security and prosperity in space? On April 12, the International Day of Human Spaceflight, the Scowcroft Center’s Forward Defense practice sought to answer this question with an engaging virtual public event featuring esteemed space experts and the launch of a new Atlantic Council Strategy Paper.

Economy & Business National Security
Photo: NATO

Event Recap

Jun 9, 2021

The United States and NATO modernize to meet a changing European security landscape

By Vikram Venkatram

Forward Defense and the Transatlantic Security Initiative host the Commander of US European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe for a discussion on competition and deterrence in the European theater as part of the Commanders Series.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Seizing the advantage

May 27, 2021

A connected world is a vulnerable world. The US can help secure it.

By Benjamin Jensen

National security is no longer measured by the size of a country’s military forces. It is measured by how efficiently and securely a country, as part of a network of allies and partners, exchanges information, resources, and ideas.

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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