GeoStrategy Initiative Analysis and Events

Read and watch the GeoStrategy’s timely reports, issue briefs, articles, events, and videos to assess the world’s biggest strategic issues. The GeoStrategy Initiative develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and its allies and partners. Its competencies in long-range foresight and strategy development are vital assets to government and business leaders as they navigate a complex and unpredictable world.

Analysis

In the News

Mar 10, 2015

Stephan: Develop Non-Military Options to Empower Communities Against Violent Extremism and Its Drivers

By Maria Stephan

Strategic Foresight Initiative Nonresident Senior Fellow Maria J. Stephan writes for Political Violence @ a Glance on how local populations can challenge corruption and institutionalized repression using nonviolent means:

FutureSource

Mar 3, 2015

(Driverless) Car Culture

By Daniel Pearson

In February, the British Government began trials of driverless cars in four UK cities. And while the vehicles currently being tested are small, slow, and restricted to pedestrianized streets and plazas, initial impressions make one thing clear: the cars of the future will not only look very different, but will be used differently to those […]

Report

Jan 16, 2015

Antimicrobial resistance as an emerging threat to national security

By Maxine Builder

In Antimicrobial Resistance as an Emerging Threat to National Security, Maxine Builder, Research Associate for the Council on Foreign Relations' Global Health Program, outlines the growing threat posed by this issue, and its potential implications for national security, before positing several potential solutions and policy recommendations.

National Security Security & Defense

FutureSource

Jan 16, 2015

The Rise of ‘Social Machines’

By Peter Haynes

Increasingly, Computer Systems May Harness Us and Our Data to Machines, Often Without Our Knowledge. How Should We Regulate That? Back in 1999, Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, envisioned a time when computers would be used “to create abstract social machines on the Web: processes in which the people do the creative […]

In the News

Jan 12, 2015

Burrows: The Big Question for 2015

By Mathew Burrows

Strategic Foresight Initiative Director Mathew Burrows writes for the Swedish Institute on International Affairs on what kind of world we can expect in the future: 

In the News

Dec 16, 2014

Pavel, Pham, and Burrows on 2015 Danger Zones

By Barry Pavel, J. Peter Pham, Mathew Burrows

Bloomberg quotes Africa Center J. Peter Pham, VP and Scowcroft Center Barry Pavel, and Strategic Foresight Initiative Director Mathew Burrows on the world hot spots that could flare in 2015:

Economy & Business Nigeria

Event Recap

Dec 16, 2014

Addressing the Food, Water, and Energy Nexus: Transatlantic Perspectives and Africa’s Great Chance

By Africa Center

The interdependencies among food, water, and energy resources—called the food-water-energy “nexus”—are a critical challenge for an African continent experiencing rapid urbanization and increasing pressure on natural resources. But given its untapped potential, Africa is also uniquely positioned to serve as a leader in addressing nexus-related challenges.

Africa

Report

Dec 15, 2014

Addressing the food, water, and energy nexus: transatlantic perspectives and Africa’s great chance

By Peter Engelke

Addressing the Food, Water, and Energy Nexus: Transatlantic Perspectives and Africa’s Great Chance, a joint collaboration between the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center and the Strategic Foresight Initiative of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, examines how Africa can best leverage its food, water, and energy resources for sustainable development.

Africa Energy & Environment

In the News

Dec 9, 2014

Burrows: Using Fiction to Understand Strategy and the Future

By Mathew Burrows

Strategic Foresight Initiative Director Mathew Burrows writse for War on the Rocks on why fiction is key to understanding a different future: 

FutureSource

Nov 26, 2014

The Future of Energy: Shale, Bringing Energy Back to the West

By Jack Shaked

It seems like every day, an entirely new advancement or discovery is made in the energy sector. From solar to fusion to thorium, it is hard to determine what the future of energy will look like and what impacts these advances will have on the world. Over the next few weeks, The Future of Energy […]

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

In the News

Nov 22, 2014

Burrows: How the Middle East’s First Nuclear War Started

By Mathew Burrows

Strategic Foresight Initiative Director Mathew Burrows writes a fictional piece for Politico on the possible paths forward following the outcomes of nuclear talks with Iran: 

Iran

New Atlanticist

Nov 14, 2014

US-China Climate Deal: Less Than Meets the Eye

By Robert A. Manning

Mutual Vow Won’t Slash Greenhouse Gas Emissions, But May Help Advance More Serious Accords The US-China climate change deal unveiled by President Barack Obama and China’s President Xi Jinping this week in Beijing has been heralded as a historic breakthrough in the effort to reduce climate change. But is it?

China Climate Change & Climate Action

New Atlanticist

Nov 10, 2014

APEC: A Chance to Calm Regional Tensions

By Robert A. Manning

The pride, stature and global spotlight that comes with holding a major international meeting often becomes a factor influencing the host country’s behavior. As China is hosting the APEC leaders’ meeting, Beijing clearly wants to be seen as a gracious host and a cooperative partner. The APEC meeting occurs in an Asia-Pacific where tensions have […]

China

Transcript

Nov 6, 2014

Part 2: Transatlantic Interests in the Asia Pacific in 2025

By Atlantic Council

Trans-Atlantic Interests in the Asia Pacific In 2025 The Future of U.S.-Asia Security Relations Moderator: Damon Wilson, Executive Vice President, Atlantic Council Speaker: Kurt Campbell, Chairman and CEO, The Asia Group Global Trade Agenda Moderator: Paula Stern, Founder and Chair, The Stern Group Speakers: Kanji Yamanouchi, Minister for Economic Affairs, Embassy of Japan; Jeffrey Schott, […]

Transcript

Nov 6, 2014

Part 1: Transatlantic Interests in the Asia Pacific in 2025

By Atlantic Council

Transatlantic Interests in the Asia Pacific in 2025 Welcome: Barry Pavel, Vice President and Director, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, Atlantic Council Scene Setter: The United States’ and Europe’s Relationship with Asia Speaker: Helena Sangeland, Deputy Director General and Head, Department for Asia and the Pacific Region, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Moderator: […]

Report

Oct 31, 2014

The shale revolution and the new geopolitics of energy

By Robert A. Manning

Technological advancements have led to an energy revolution in the United States. In The Shale Revolution and the New Geopolitics of Energy, Manning explains that the shale revolution affects everything from the makeup of the global energy market to America’s core strategic interests abroad.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Event Recap

Oct 15, 2014

American, Russian, and European Experts Meet to Discuss European Security

By Atlantic Council

At a closed roundtable discussion on October 6, 2014, a small group of American, Russian, and European experts gathered at the Atlantic Council to brainstorm ways to redefine common security interests in the new European security environment. The discussion was led by Ellen Tauscher, vice chair of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security; Igor […]

In the News

Oct 14, 2014

Burrows on Ebola Threat

By Mathew Burrows

Bloomberg quotes Strategic Foresight Initiative Director Mathew Burrows on the threat of the Ebola virus: 

Event Recap

Oct 8, 2014

Transatlantic Interests in the Asia Pacific in 2025

By Atlantic Council

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7 8:30 – 9:00 am     Registration and Breakfast 9:00 – 9:05 pm     Welcome Barry Pavel, Vice President and Director, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Secutiry, Atlantic Council (@BarryPavel) 9:05 – 10:05 am     Scene Setter: The United States’ and Europe’s Relationship with Asia What are the common US and European interests in Asia Pacific? Where might […]

Event Recap

Oct 8, 2014

A New Model of Great Power Relations?

By Atlantic Council

High Level Panel Discusses What China’s Rise Means for the World Order During a workshop on transatlantic interests in the Asia Pacific, a high level panel convened to discuss whether the rise of China precipitated the need for a “new model of power relations.” The panel, moderated by Barry Pavel of the Atlantic Council’s Brent […]

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Events

Public Event Mon, April 13, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Philanthropy and the future of food security
Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment Resilience & Society
Public Event Wed, March 4, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

War with Iran and its geopolitical implications
Conflict Iran Middle East National Security
Public Event Tue, February 10, 2026 • 12:00 pm ET

Global Foresight 2036: What will the next decade bring?
China Economy & Business Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia
Online Event Tue, December 9, 2025 • 11:30 am ET

Making sense of the National Security Strategy
Americas Europe & Eurasia Indo-Pacific National Security
Online Event Tue, November 11, 2025 • 1:00 pm ET

From risk to resilience: The future of food security in the Americas
Americas Brazil Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business
Online Event Fri, June 20, 2025 • 4:00 pm ET

Sweden’s foreign minister on the 2025 NATO Summit agenda
Europe & Eurasia NATO Northern Europe Politics & Diplomacy
Online Event Tue, October 29, 2024 • 6:00 pm ET

Elections 2024: Congressman Mike Turner on geopolitics and the next US president

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Congressman Mike Turner, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, lays out his expectations of the foreign policy challenges facing the next administration and what lies ahead for the 119th Congress.
Economy & Business Elections Politics & Diplomacy Resilience & Society
Public Event Thu, October 10, 2024 • 3:15 am ET

Elections 2024: Sen. Mark Warner on the global risks facing the next president

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—The Virginia lawmaker outlines how a future administration can prepare for and respond to geopolitical challenges.
Economy & Business Elections Politics & Diplomacy Resilience & Society
Public Event Mon, September 9, 2024 • 11:30 am ET

Elections 2024: Senator Chris Murphy on the future of Democratic foreign policy

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Senator Chris Murphy discusses the future of Democratic foreign policy ahead of the 2024 US presidential election.
Economy & Business Elections Politics & Diplomacy Resilience & Society
Public Event Wed, June 26, 2024 • 8:00 am ET

Reporters at risk: Latin America and the Caribbean
Americas Caribbean Civil Society Conflict
Public Event Wed, June 12, 2024 • 2:00 pm ET

The art of diplomacy: Historic agreements that changed the world
Crisis Management International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense
Public Event Fri, April 26, 2024 • 1:00 pm ET

Report launch: The sixth domain and the role of the private sector
Conflict Cybersecurity Infrastructure Protection National Security
Public Event Thu, March 14, 2024 • 2:00 am ET

Reporters at risk: On the frontlines in Ukraine and Gaza
Civil Society Conflict Europe & Eurasia Middle East
Public Event Mon, February 26, 2024 • 5:00 pm ET

Redefining US strategy with Latin America and the Caribbean for a new era
Americas Brazil Caribbean Central America
Public Event Mon, February 12, 2024 • 2:00 pm ET

Countering China and Russia in Latin America and the Caribbean
Caribbean China Freedom and Prosperity Latin America
Public Event Wed, October 18, 2023 • 6:00 am ET

Combating food insecurity and malnutrition: A national security imperative
Civil Society National Security Politics & Diplomacy Resilience
Public Event Wed, March 8, 2023 • 4:00 pm ET

A conversation with Stephen J. Hadley | Hand-Off: The foreign policy George W. Bush passed to Barack Obama
China Europe & Eurasia Iran Iraq
Online Event Tue, February 8, 2022 • 9:00 am ET

Report launch | Global Strategy 2022: Thwarting Kremlin aggression today for constructive relations tomorrow
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Geopolitics & Energy Security NATO Rule of Law
Flagship Event Mon, December 6, 2021 • 11:00 pm ET

Is it time for an Alliance of Democracies?
Australia European Union France Germany
Public Event Fri, October 23, 2020 • 12:00 pm ET

Report Launch – States on the cusp: Tackling global illicit trade’s threat to society and governance
Africa Corruption Economy & Business Latin America
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The GeoStrategy Initiative, housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, leverages strategy development and long-range foresight to serve as the preeminent thought-leader and convener for policy-relevant analysis and solutions to understand a complex and unpredictable world. Through its work, the initiative strives to revitalize, adapt, and defend a rules-based international system in order to foster peace, prosperity, and freedom for decades to come.

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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.

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