Nuclear strategy project

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and the world. The Center honors General Brent Scowcroft’s legacy of service and embodies his ethos of nonpartisan commitment to the cause of security, support for US leadership in cooperation with allies and partners, and dedication to the mentorship of the next generation of leaders.

The Scowcroft Center’s namesake, General Brent Scowcroft, was the chairman of the 1983 Scowcroft Commission that established the foundation for US nuclear deterrence and arms control policy through the present day. As the United States enters a new era of strategic challenges, the Scowcroft Center is proud to play a central role in crafting an effective and nonpartisan strategic forces strategy and policy for the twenty-first century.

Must read

Issue Brief

Dec 20, 2022

Arms racing under nuclear tripolarity: Evidence for an action-reaction cycle?

By Matthew Kroenig

Matthew Kroenig argues that there has not been a nuclear arms race since the Cold War—but that China’s nuclear buildup might start one.

Arms Control China

Commentary & quick analysis

Press Release May 17, 2022

Atlantic Council’s Matthew Kroenig Appointed to Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States

Director of Studies and Deputy Director of Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security will bring expertise in nuclear strategy and policy to high-level commission

Arms Control Defense Policy

Memo to the president Sep 16, 2022

Memo to the president: How to deter Russian nuclear use in Ukraine—and respond if deterrence fails

The US should issue vague public threats of serious consequences should Russia use nuclear weapons and be prepared to follow through with conventional military strikes if deterrence fails.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist Oct 27, 2022

Eight things you need to know about the new US National Defense Strategy

By Atlantic Council experts

Does the strategy succeed? We turned to our experts to break down the Pentagon’s plans.

Defense Policy National Security

New Atlanticist

Nov 3, 2022

Inside the US Nuclear Posture Review’s approach to a new era of three-power nuclear competition

By Katherine Walla

The Atlantic Council hosted current and former Department of Defense, State, and Energy officials to outline the top takeaways from the strategy.

China Nuclear Deterrence

New Atlanticist

Oct 28, 2022

Putin’s next escalation is coming. How should the West respond?

By Hans Binnendijk, Alexander Vershbow, and Julian Lindley-French

Policymakers must strike a balance to deter and, if necessary, respond to escalation in ways that impose heavy costs for Russian misbehavior but do not further escalate the conflict.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Oct 27, 2022

Eight things you need to know about the new US National Defense Strategy

By Atlantic Council experts

Does the strategy succeed? We turned to our experts to break down the Pentagon’s plans.

Defense Policy National Security

Memo to the president

Sep 16, 2022

Memo to the president: How to deter Russian nuclear use in Ukraine—and respond if deterrence fails

The US should issue vague public threats of serious consequences should Russia use nuclear weapons and be prepared to follow through with conventional military strikes if deterrence fails.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Aug 3, 2022

How the US can curb the North Korean nuclear threat

By Todd Rosenblum

The Biden administration must make the right strategic investments now to stay ahead of the North Korean missile threat.

Crisis Management East Asia

Reports & issue briefs

Report Apr 24, 2018

A strategy for deterring Russian de-escalation strikes

By Matthew Kroenig

The United States and its NATO allies have not developed a clear strategy for deterring limited Russian nuclear strikes. Specifically, in the event of a limited Russian nuclear attack, how would the United States and its NATO allies respond?

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Report Nov 2, 2021

Deterring Chinese strategic attack: Grappling with the implications of China’s strategic forces buildup

By Matthew Kroenig

To counter the increasing threat from China’s assertive foreign policy and growing nuclear capabilities, Matthew Kroenig outlines a strategy for Washington and allies to reliably deter Chinese strategic attack.

China Cybersecurity

Issue Brief Nov 5, 2022

Strengthening deterrence with SLCM-N

By John R. Harvey and Robert Soofer

John Harvey and Robert Soofer argue that the Sea-Launched Cruise Missile is necessary to deter Russia and China

China Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Dec 20, 2022

Arms racing under nuclear tripolarity: Evidence for an action-reaction cycle?

By Matthew Kroenig

Matthew Kroenig argues that there has not been a nuclear arms race since the Cold War—but that China’s nuclear buildup might start one.

Arms Control China

Issue Brief

Nov 5, 2022

Strengthening deterrence with SLCM-N

By John R. Harvey and Robert Soofer

John Harvey and Robert Soofer argue that the Sea-Launched Cruise Missile is necessary to deter Russia and China

China Defense Policy

Report

Apr 21, 2022

Climbing the ladder: How the West can manage escalation in Ukraine and beyond

By Richard D. Hooker, Jr.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and NATO’s response increase the possibility of purposeful or inadvertent escalation in Europe. Understanding how these dynamics might impact the war and further degrade transatlantic stability is critical.

Cybersecurity Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Mar 9, 2022

Defending every inch of NATO territory: Force posture options for strengthening deterrence in Europe

By The Scowcroft Center Task Force on Deterrence and Force Posture

Deterrence in Europe can be enhanced through a range of US and NATO force posture enhancements.

Conflict Defense Policy

Report

Dec 23, 2021

Proactively countering North Korea’s advancing nuclear threat

By Markus Garlauskas

Markus Garlauskas suggests a strategy to counter North Korean nuclear weapons by impeding the growth of its arsenal, investing to stay ahead of new nuclear threats, and adjusting operations on the Korean Peninsula.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Past events

Transcript

Nov 3, 2022

What’s the future of US nuclear strategy? Top officials dissect the Biden administration’s plans.

Current and former Department of Defense, State, and Energy officials outline the top takeaways from the new NPR at the Atlantic Council.

China Nuclear Deterrence

Public Event Tue, November 1, 2022 • 2:00 pm ET

The future of US nuclear strategy: Releasing the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review

China Defense Policy Defense Technologies Iran

Online Event Wed, July 27, 2022 • 12:00 pm ET

Future Foreign Policy: A new nuclear era?

Arms Control China Nuclear Deterrence Nuclear Nonproliferation

Transcript

Jul 6, 2022

Gen. James Jones: ‘the Black Sea region is being pounded into the soft underbelly of security in Europe’

Atlantic Council Board Director and Executive Chairman Emeritus James L. Jones, Jr highlights the significance of US-Romania relations and next steps for a Black Sea security strategy.

Arms Control Defense Policy

Online Event Tue, March 29, 2022 • 12:30 pm ET

A conversation with Minister of Defence of Germany Christine Lambrecht

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT – Germany’s Minister of Defence Christine Lambrecht discussed Germany’s new defense priorities in the face of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Conflict Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia Germany

The Ben Domench Podcast hosts Matthew Kroenig to discuss possible Russian nuclear use

Europe & Eurasia Nuclear Deterrence

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Forward Defense, housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, shapes the debate around the greatest military challenges facing the United States and its allies, and creates forward-looking assessments of the trends, technologies, and concepts that will define the future of warfare.

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Must read

Arms racing under nuclear tripolarity: Evidence for an action-reaction cycle?

Commentary & quick analysis

Atlantic Council’s Matthew Kroenig Appointed to Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States

Memo to the president: How to deter Russian nuclear use in Ukraine—and respond if deterrence fails

Eight things you need to know about the new US National Defense Strategy

Inside the US Nuclear Posture Review’s approach to a new era of three-power nuclear competition

Putin’s next escalation is coming. How should the West respond?

Eight things you need to know about the new US National Defense Strategy

Memo to the president: How to deter Russian nuclear use in Ukraine—and respond if deterrence fails

How the US can curb the North Korean nuclear threat

Reports & issue briefs

A strategy for deterring Russian de-escalation strikes

Deterring Chinese strategic attack: Grappling with the implications of China’s strategic forces buildup

Strengthening deterrence with SLCM-N

Arms racing under nuclear tripolarity: Evidence for an action-reaction cycle?

Strengthening deterrence with SLCM-N

Climbing the ladder: How the West can manage escalation in Ukraine and beyond

Defending every inch of NATO territory: Force posture options for strengthening deterrence in Europe

Proactively countering North Korea’s advancing nuclear threat

Past events

What’s the future of US nuclear strategy? Top officials dissect the Biden administration’s plans.

The future of US nuclear strategy: Releasing the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review

Future Foreign Policy: A new nuclear era?

Gen. James Jones: ‘the Black Sea region is being pounded into the soft underbelly of security in Europe’

A conversation with Minister of Defence of Germany Christine Lambrecht

In the news

Lieber and Press in the Atlantic

Kroenig on CNBC regarding Russian nuclear threats

Polymeropoulos on MSNBC discussing missile strike in Poland

Warrick in Newsweek on diplomatic options to deter Russian nuclear use

Kroenig on the Ben Domench Podcast

Subscribe to stay engaged

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