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The United States confronts a range of national security challenges, but the marketplace of ideas defines these too expansively, fails to prioritize them effectively, and limits the range of options for addressing them. The New American Engagement Initiative challenges prevailing assumptions governing U.S. foreign policy, in particular with respect to the efficacy of military intervention and the lost potential of diplomacy, and helps policymakers manage risks, set priorities, and allocate resources wisely and efficiently, in order to preserve our security and prosperity. Unconventional thinking is needed to help Americans put dangers into perspective, and encourage them to embrace global engagement through diplomacy, trade, and mutually beneficial cultural exchange. The military is an essential tool of U.S. foreign policy, but is inherently limited. The most effective and durable solutions to global problems must be developed in conjunction with allies and partners, and in ways that reduce the risk of conflict.

Featured content

Fri, Jun 12, 2020

Preble and Burrows in the National Interest: The urgent need to adjust America’s approach to the world

Assessing the use of the military and relying on other capabilities shaping the future. Read more about our experts

In the News by Atlantic Council

Coronavirus National Security

Wed, Oct 30, 2019

Global risks 2035 update: Decline or new renaissance?

Our conclusion in 2016’s Global Risks 2035 was that state-on-state conflict posed a bigger threat than terrorism. In the two years since, the post-Cold War order has continued to unravel without a “new normal” emerging.

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series by Mathew J. Burrows

China NATO
US/UK flags

Tue, Oct 15, 2019

Manning in The Hill: The beginning of the end of a US role in the Middle East?

Senior Fellow Robert A. Manning writes on President Trump’s withdrawal of troops in Syria. He likens the occasion to Great Britain’s “East of Suez” retreat in 1968. One of the differences is that there is no country with the power to which to pass the baton. Meet the author

In the News by Atlantic Council

International Norms Middle East

Related past events

Wed, Oct 30, 2019

Present at the Re-Creation: A Global Strategy for a World at Risk

9:30am Washington, DC

Present at the Re-Creation

2015 Global Strategy Forum: Debate; America’s Role in the World

April 30, 2015
Transcript

Read More

Is the United States Really Indispensable?

April 30, 2015
Event recap

Read More

Employment opportunities

Wed, May 27, 2020

Senior Fellow, New American Engagement Initiative

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

Experts

Mat Burrows

Mathew J. Burrows

Director, Foresight, Strategy, and Risks Initiative

Non-Traditional Threats Technology & Innovation

Foresight, Strategy, and Risks Initiative New American Engagement Initiative

Christopher Preble

Co-director

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

New American Engagement Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Content

Fri, Jun 12, 2020

Preble and Burrows in the National Interest: The urgent need to adjust America’s approach to the world

Assessing the use of the military and relying on other capabilities shaping the future. Read more about our experts

In the News by Atlantic Council

Coronavirus National Security

Mon, Jun 8, 2020

Christopher Preble joins the Atlantic Council

Distinguished scholar will co-direct the New American Engagement Initiative

Press Release

Politics & Diplomacy

Wed, Apr 8, 2020

Preble in Responsible Statecraft: How will COVID-19 change US national security strategy?

The military and other tools of force and coercion are useless against deadly pathogens. Christopher Preble examines how this reality will create downward pressure on U.S. military spending and should compel re-examination not merely of foreign policy means, but also foreign policy ends.

Uncategorized

National Security Security & Defense

Thu, Feb 13, 2020

Atlantic Council announces launch of major new global strategy effort

$4.5 million Koch Institute grant will support deep effort at creative approaches to a changing world

Press Release by Atlantic Council

Wed, Oct 30, 2019

Global risks 2035 update: Decline or new renaissance?

Our conclusion in 2016’s Global Risks 2035 was that state-on-state conflict posed a bigger threat than terrorism. In the two years since, the post-Cold War order has continued to unravel without a “new normal” emerging.

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series by Mathew J. Burrows

China NATO
US/UK flags

Tue, Oct 15, 2019

Manning in The Hill: The beginning of the end of a US role in the Middle East?

Senior Fellow Robert A. Manning writes on President Trump’s withdrawal of troops in Syria. He likens the occasion to Great Britain’s “East of Suez” retreat in 1968. One of the differences is that there is no country with the power to which to pass the baton. Meet the author

In the News by Atlantic Council

International Norms Middle East

Wed, Aug 7, 2019

Preble in War on the Rocks: The case against covert wars

On August 7, 2019, War on the Rocks published an article by Christopher Preble titled “Covert wars, to what end?” Preble explores the history of covert wars in the US: identifying the motivators and assessing the efficacy of such measures. He draws upon findings in “Secret Wars: Covert Conflict in International Politics” by Austin Carson […]

In the News by Atlantic Council

English National Security

Wed, Aug 7, 2019

How the Trump Administration can solve its Iran problem

For The Hill, Dr. Mathew Burrows, Director of the Atlantic Council's Foresight, Strategy and Risks Initiative, and his Research Associate Julian Mueller-Kaler argue that when circumstances change, strategies need to change, too. They advocate for an approach that would be nothing less than a complete change of U.S. foreign policy towards the Middle East.

In the News by Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

Mon, Aug 13, 2018

Preble in War on the Rocks: War memorials might help us avoid future wars

On August 13, 2018, War on the Rocks published an article by Dr. Christopher Preble titled “Remembrance of War as a Warning.” Preble explores the concept of war memorials as a deterrence measure. He considers new ways to remember America’s wars and how such changes might help us avoid future wars. More about our expert

In the News by Atlantic Council

Conflict English

Fri, Aug 3, 2018

Preble in The National Interest: The end of the liberal world order

On August 3, 2018, The National Interest published an article by Dr. Christopher Preble titled “Is This the End of the Liberal World Order?” Preble argues that there is a pressing need to address the order’s shortcomings to move forward. More about our expert

In the News by Atlantic Council

English Politics & Diplomacy
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Events

Thu, Jul 9, 2020

Challenging convention: Charting a course for the New American Engagement Initiative

ONLINE EVENT — Which of the assumptions guiding US foreign policy are no longer fit for purpose? How can the United States learn from past mistakes and develop more productive and responsible modes of engagement?

1:00pm ONLINE EVENT