Highlighted content

Describe the kind of content you are highlighting here, why you are highlighting, and what it says about the work your program focuses on and how it makes an impact in the real world. Below, select three top pieces of commentary & analysis to feature from the past days or weeks. Update monthly via board process with Graeme Cranston-Cuebas and Vriddhi Sujan.

All impact stories

In the News

Oct 15, 2025

Ackerman defends human oversight of battlefield decisions on Open Debate

By Atlantic Council

On October 3, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Elliot Ackerman was featured in an episode of Open Debate entitled “Wartime Kill Switch: Human or AI?” in which he defended human control over lethal battlefield decisions.  

Artificial Intelligence
Defense Policy

In the News

Oct 14, 2025

Rudolph argues for shipbuilding in the Great Lakes Region in the National Interest

On October 13, Abigail Rudolph published an article in the National Interest entitled, “How Shipbuilding Can Revive the US Heartland.” Rudolph explores the potential for shipbuilding in the Great Lakes region, leveraging existing manufacturing infrastructure, a skilled labor force, and strategic geographic advantages. She highlights the dual significance of shipbuilding in the region, meeting a […]

Defense Industry
Maritime Security

In the News

Oct 14, 2025

Kroenig quoted in the Wall Street Journal on New-START Treaty

On October 5, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in an article in the Wall Street Journal. He argues against extending the New START arms control agreement in order to expand the US nuclear arsenal to compete with China.

Arms Control
China

In the News

Oct 7, 2025

Bayoumi quoted in the “Washington Examiner” on Trump-Carney meeting

On October 7, Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Intiative, was quoted in the Washington Examiner on the meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump. Bayoumi argued that Prime Minister Carney is hoping to negotiate a deal that would provide some tariff relief.

Politics & Diplomacy
Trade and tariffs

In the News

Oct 2, 2025

Ackerman discusses service member culture in The Free Press

By Atlantic Council

On September 30, Forward Defense non-resident senior fellow Elliot Ackerman authored an article in The Free Press entitled “Pete Hegseth Wants a ‘Warrior Culture.’ Does He Know What That Means?,” in which he discusses Secretary Hegseth’s changes to service member culture.

Defense Policy
National Security

In the News

Sep 29, 2025

Klein discusses space warfighting on the Aerospace Advantage podcast

On September 27, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow John Klein was featured on the Aerospace Advantage podcast by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies alongside Major Kyle “Ghengis” Rimando and Mitchell Institute senior fellows Charles Galbreath and Jen “Boots” Reeves. They discussed the Space Force’s Space Warfighting framework, achieving space superiority, and lessons learned from […]

Security & Defense
Space Security

In the News

Sep 25, 2025

Daniels weighs the consequences of the US-China AI Race on Network 20/20

By Atlantic Council

On September 17, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Owen Daniels was featured on the Network 20/20 Virtual Briefing Series alongside Janet Egan and Sam Winter-Levy.

Artificial Intelligence
China

In the News

Sep 25, 2025

Kroenig in Foreign Policy on the United Nations General Assembly

On September 25, Matthew Kroenig, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director, published an article in Foreign Policy titled “Trump Told the U.N. the Hard Truth: It Failed”. He argues that the United Nations Security Council has failed in its mission to stop conflict.

Politics & Diplomacy
Security & Defense

In the News

Sep 24, 2025

Gray on Fox News ‘Fox News @ Night’ on retaking the Bagram Airfield

On September 24, Alexander B. Gray, nonresident senior fellow of the GeoStrategy Initiative of the Scowcroft Center, appeared on Fox News to discuss President Trump’s desire to reclaim the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan
Conflict

In the News

Sep 23, 2025

Kroenig quoted in The Atlantic on the United Nations General Assembly

On September 23, Matthew Kroenig, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director, was quoted in an article in The Atlantic. He argues that the United Nations has turned into an arena for global competition.

Politics & Diplomacy
Security & Defense