In-depth research & reports

Report

Jun 25, 2014

NATO in an Era of Global Competition

By Magnus Nordenman

As NATO winds down its combat operation in Afghanistan, the Alliance faces the most strategically constraining and competitive security environment since the end of the Cold War. The rise of Asia, changing demographics, disruptive technologies, the shale gas revolution, and an uncertain US leadership role in the world will all significantly impact NATO’s future trajectory. […]

NATO Security & Defense

Emerging Defense Challenges

May 13, 2014

Disrupt or Be Disrupted: How Governments Can Develop Decisive Military Technologies

By James Hasik and Byron Callan

Just what makes a military technology disruptive? How does one know who will disrupt, and who will be disrupted? How can we aim to develop disruptive technologies, and how can we spot them before others use them to disrupt our security? In the latest issue brief from the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, “Disrupt […]

Report

May 12, 2014

The next wave: 4D printing

By Thomas A. Campbell, Skylar Tibbits, and Banning Garrett

A new report by Thomas A. Campbell, Skylar Tibbits, and Banning Garrett, The Next Wave: 4D Printing – Programming the Material World, examines 4D printing, a new disruptive technology on the horizon that may take 3D printing to an entirely new level of capability with profound implications for society, the economy, and the global operating environment of governments and businesses alike.

Technology & Innovation

Regional Security Initiative

May 7, 2014

The Gulf rising: Defense industrialization in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

By Bilal Y. Saab

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been quietly but steadily developing their indigenous defense capabilities over the past decade, according to a new report by the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center. In The Gulf Rising: Defense Industrialization in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, senior fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab […]

Defense Industry Middle East

Issue Brief

Apr 17, 2014

NATO’s Framework Nations: Capabilities for an Unpredictable World

By Franklin D. Kramer

At the upcoming summit in September 2014, the NATO nations are very likely to approve a concept of “framework nations” around which to build integrated capabilities. As yet, however, there has been relatively little discussion about how best to organize the framework nation approach so as to support NATO objectives. In the latest issue brief […]

Issue Brief

Jan 28, 2014

Ten Ideas for Smarter NATO Missile Defense

By Patrick O’Reilly

In the latest issue brief from the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, “Ten Ideas for Smarter NATO Missile Defense,” Atlantic Council Nonresident Senior Fellow and former Director of the Missile Defense Agency Lt. Gen. Patrick O’Reilly, USA (Ret.) outlines ten feasible and cost-effective ways for NATO to encourage its member states to contribute to […]

Report

Dec 9, 2013

Envisioning 2030: US strategy for the coming technology revolution

By Atlantic Council

Building upon this statement, this year’s Envisioning 2030: US Strategy for the Coming Technology Revolution, edited by Strategic Foresight Initiative Director Mathew J. Burrows, explores the consequences of major disruptions that will be caused by emerging technologies and recommends that the United States must prepare now if it wants to remain competitive on the global stage.

Technology & Innovation

Report

Nov 18, 2013

The security of cities: ecology and conflict on an urbanizing planet

By Peter Engelke

A new report issued jointly by the Atlantic Council and the Stimson Center, The Security of Cities: Ecology and Conflict on an Urbanizing Planet, argues that the environmental security field has yet to incorporate global urbanization, the twenty-first century’s central demographic trend, fully into its purview.

Energy & Environment National Security

Issue Brief

Oct 31, 2013

Global trends and the future of NATO: alliance security in an era of global competition

By Barry Pavel and Magnus Nordenman

The latest issue brief by Barry Pavel, Atlantic Council VP and director of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, and Magnus Nordenman, Brent Scowcroft Center deputy director, argues that global shifts in economic and military power, demographics, resource demand, and other critical megatrends will require NATO to overhaul its long-term strategy for the future. […]

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Report

Sep 17, 2013

China-US cooperation: key to the global future

By China-US Joint Working Group

China-US Cooperation: Key to the Global Future calls for the creation of a Vision Group of senior American and Chinese nongovernment and former government experts to build on the idea of a new great power relationship proposed by China’s President Xi Jinping.

China Chinese