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

Event Recap

Feb 4, 2014

On the Road To Medellín: Urban Innovation at Home and Abroad

Cities are at the forefront of global leadership. Not only are cities where all global trends—such as increased diffusion of power, individual empowerment, and the complex interplay of the food-water-energy nexus—come together, but local governments and their partners are already addressing this century’s great global challenges and finding innovative solutions.

FutureSource

Jan 30, 2014

Megacity Slums and Urban Insecurity

By Peter Engelke and Magnus Nordenman

What is the most pressing security challenge facing the world’s megacities? It’s their slums, write Peter Engelke and Magnus Nordenman. Today, they highlight some of the conditions that make them fertile breeding grounds for conflict and instability.

FutureSource

Jan 7, 2014

US Intelligence Failure is Its Focus, Not Its Leaks

By Josh Kerbel

The US intelligence community largely has failed to adapt to the world’s growing complexity and interconnectedness, writes Josh Kerbel, the chief analytic methodologist at the US Defense Intelligence Agency. The intelligence community must leave behind its habit of analyzing complex issues with a narrow focus and instead ‘think big’, taking greater advantage of open-source, unclassified information and interdisciplinary perspectives.

New Atlanticist

Jan 6, 2014

Technology Policy in an Age of Unknowledge

By Peter Haynes

Technology evolves so quickly that government regulations are outdated from the day they are written. Policymakers should consider the thirty-year-old insights of an obscure British economist for a map to the new approach we need to regulating technologies.  We are moving rapidly into the age of the “Internet of Everything” (IoE), in which tens of billions […]

FutureSource

Jan 6, 2014

Technology Policy in an Age of Unknowledge

By Peter Haynes

Technology evolves so quickly that government regulations are outdated from the day they are written. Policymakers should consider the thirty-year-old insights of an obscure British economist for a map to the new approach we need to regulating technologies.

Event Recap

Dec 17, 2013

The Future Can’t Wait

The future of global development is dependent on connecting people with diverse expertise and making futures analysis at the policy level implementable on the ground, concluded a panel of experts speaking at the Atlantic Council on December 17 for a public event on “Building the Future of Global Development.” The event also marked the official […]

FutureSource

Dec 16, 2013

Beyond the Horizon: Understanding the Future for Better Development Today

By Kathleen Mogelgaard

On December 17, 2013 the Atlantic Council’s Strategic Foresight Initiative of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, in partnership with the US Agency for International Development and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, will host the launch of the highly anticipated book The Future Can’t Wait (PDF). Read on for an a preview […]

FutureSource

Dec 13, 2013

Harnessing Disruption to Move Forward with Biotech

By Dina Fine Maron

As biotechnology evolves, it’s easier to imagine a future where a steak dinner would be produced in the laboratory and cell parts are replicated via 3-D printer. Scientific American is constantly exploring these frontlines of science and innovation. And this week I moderated a thought-provoking panel exploring how biotech and ICT (information and communications technology) may reshape the […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2013

Getting to Fusion – A conversation with Strategists

By Jeff Lightfoot

Emerging technologies are empowering both states and non-state actors in the second decade of the 21st century. Yet these new capabilities exist in – and challenge – an interstate system that is still largely defined by international law and a Westphaelian heritage. If the world is to achieve the fusion scenario outlined in the Global Trends […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2013

Opportunities Emerging from Biotech and ICT

By Peter Engelke

Ramez Naam, author of The Infinite Resource, opened the Strategic Foresight Forum’s Bio-ICT session by pointing to the many opportunities emerging from biotech and ICT. We are much better now at encoding, printing, and editing genomes now than we were even a decade ago. This leads to big opportunities. First, we can apply biotech to […]

Event Recap

Dec 10, 2013

Harnessing Disruption for Global Prosperity

A new report and two days of dynamic discussion — in the room and online — explored the challenges and opportunites the US and the world face in the upcoming technology revolution. The opening debate and each session were recorded. You can watch via the playlist below. Council experts weighed in with their initial reactions […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2013

A New Model of International Governance: Why Cities Will Lead the Way

By Jeff Lightfoot

Deputy Director of the Brent Scowcroft Center Jeff Lightfoot reflects on the urbanization panel at the 2013 Strategic Foresight Forum.

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2013

Confronting the Challenges of Food, Water, and Energy

By Peter Engelke

Senior Fellow with the Brent Scowcroft Center Peter Engelke comments on the second panel of day two of the Strategic Foresight Forum, Building Up Resilience: Can the Upcoming Food-Water-Energy Crises Be Avoided?.

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2013

Opportunities Abound but Challenges Lurk on the Horizon

By Jeff Lightfoot

Deputy Director of the Brent Scowcroft Center Jeff Lightfoot comments on the first panel of day two of the Strategic Foresight Forum, The Challenges and Opportunities of the Third Industrial Revolution.

Transcript

Dec 10, 2013

Transcript: 2013 Strategic Foresight Forum – A Fusion World Ahead? Geopolitical Implications and Strategy Options

Full transcript of the panel “A Fusion World Ahead? Geopolitical Implications and Strategy Options” at the 2013 Strategic Foresight Forum. Entitled Harnessing Disruption, the Forum highlighed ways the technology revolution is shaping government, business, and civil society. Many panelists focused on the effects of technology on individual empowerment and globalization, and the need by both […]

Transcript

Dec 10, 2013

Transcript: 2013 Strategic Foresight Forum – The Bio-ICT Convergence: Increasing Risks, Ubiquitous Vulnerability, Promising Breakthroughs

Full transcript of the panel “The Bio-ICT Convergence: Increasing Risks, Ubiquitous Vulnerability, Promising Breakthroughs” at the 2013 Strategic Foresight Forum. Entitled Harnessing Disruption, the Forum highlighed ways the technology revolution is shaping government, business, and civil society. Many panelists focused on the effects of technology on individual empowerment and globalization, and the need by both […]

Transcript

Dec 10, 2013

Transcript: 2013 Strategic Foresight Forum – A New Model of International Governance: Why Cities Will Lead the Way

Full transcript of the panel “A New Model of International Governance: Why Cities Will Lead the Way” at the 2013 Strategic Foresight Forum. Entitled Harnessing Disruption, the Forum highlighed ways the technology revolution is shaping government, business, and civil society. Many panelists focused on the effects of technology on individual empowerment and globalization, and the […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 9, 2013

The Coming Technological Revolution: Opportunities and Perils

By Peter Engelke

After watching the second panel of the Strategic Foresight Forum, Global Strategists: How Prepared Are We for the Future?, Strategic Foresight Initiative Senior Fellow Peter Engelke wrote down some of his thoughts on the conversation.

Transcript

Dec 9, 2013

Transcript: 2013 Strategic Foresight Forum – Global Strategists: How Prepared Are We for the Future?

Full transcript of the panel “Global Strategists: How Prepared Are We for the Future?” at the 2013 Strategic Foresight Forum. Entitled Harnessing Disruption, the Forum highlighed ways the technology revolution is shaping government, business, and civil society. Many panelists focused on the effects of technology on individual empowerment and globalization, and the need by both […]

Transcript

Dec 9, 2013

Transcript: 2013 Strategic Foresight Forum – Building Up Resilience: Can the Upcoming Food-Water-Energy Crises Be Avoided?

Full transcript of the the panel “Building Up Resilience: Can the Upcoming Food-Water-Energy Crises Be Avoided?” at the 2013 Strategic Foresight Forum. Entitled Harnessing Disruption, the Forum highlighed ways the technology revolution is shaping government, business, and civil society. Many panelists focused on the effects of technology on individual empowerment and globalization, and the need […]

Load More

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
Load More

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.

learn more

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.

Learn more