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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

Apr 27, 2022

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: The race to resupply Ukraine

By Atlantic Council military fellows

Victory in the Donbas will go to whichever side seizes the advantage in offensive fires and resupply efforts, according to our military fellows.

Conflict NATO

Press Release

Apr 25, 2022

Atlantic Council Announces Partnership with Lockheed Martin on 21st Century Security

New project will advance dialogue on the innovative operational concepts and capabilities needed for the United States and its allies to deter and, if necessary, fight and win future wars.

China National Security

New Atlanticist

Apr 25, 2022

I helped defend against China’s economic hybrid war. Here’s how the US can respond.

By David L. Fogel

Washington must regain its strategic momentum relative to China and stem Beijing’s global economic influence.

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Apr 13, 2022

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: How Ukraine can take the fight to Russia

By Atlantic Council military fellows

As Ukraine prepares for a larger fight against Russian forces in the east, its military is in urgent need of weapons that will support an offensive, according to our military fellows.

Conflict NATO

New Atlanticist

Mar 30, 2022

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: Russia is forced to make a major shift in strategy

By Atlantic Council military fellows

The main Russian effort is now in the Donbas, where Russia will continue to send reinforcements and resupply in the hope of building on (and consolidating) small gains on the ground.

Conflict NATO

New Atlanticist

Mar 24, 2022

Want to hurt Putin? Back a brain drain from Russia.

By Irina Plaks

A low-cost policy option with a high impact on Russia, welcoming high-skill immigrants into the United States would dent Russia’s economy and fight propaganda.

Russia United States and Canada

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
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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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