About

The Transatlantic Security Initiative’s mission is to contribute to a strong and resilient transatlantic relationship that is prepared to deter and defend, succeed in strategic competition, and harness emerging capabilities to address future threats and opportunities. This mission endures across changing political dynamics on both sides of the Atlantic and in the face of new and evolving threats.

TSI advances the interests and values of the United States and its transatlantic allies and partners through the Atlantic Council’s convening power, our cutting-edge research and substantive expertise, and through our extensive and influential network across the transatlantic community. We work in partnership with governments, the private sector, think tank community, academia and others. We hold expert public and private convenings, conduct research, organize study trips, and produce publications, commentary and analysis to shape and influence policy and debate on the biggest challenges facing the transatlantic relationship. Intellectual independence is a cornerstone of our work at all times.

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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.

Content

Issue briefs and reports

Apr 22, 2026

The shadow fleet is undermining the maritime order more brazenly than ever

By Elisabeth Braw

The shadow fleet—ships sailing outside the official shipping system — has grown to encompass more than a thousand oil tankers globally. Iranian shadow vessels slipping through the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are the latest sign that the fleet and its main sponsor, Russia, have responded to enforcement attempts with ever more brazen violations.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Dispatches

Apr 20, 2026

Five ideas to make the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara a success

By Atlantic Council experts

While the upcoming summit is unlikely to produce anything as singularly significant as 2025’s “5 percent” pledge, there are important steps the Alliance should take.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 14, 2026

US blockade of Iran ports threatens already crippled oil supply

By Elisabeth Braw

On April 14, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was quoted in France24 in an article describing how Washington’s decision to blockade Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz is sending tremors through global energy markets, raising fears of a fresh oil shock by threatening supplies to Asia.

Middle East Security & Defense

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 13, 2026

Blockade Threat Is Trump’s ‘Hail Mary’: Atlantic Council

By Elisabeth Braw

On April 13, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was featured in a Bloomberg interview discussing the latest on the Middle East conflict as talks between the US and Iran collapsed and President Trump threatened to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.

Middle East Security & Defense

Dispatches

Apr 10, 2026

Dispatch from Vilnius: Warfare is evolving rapidly. Here’s how NATO can keep up.

By David Julazadeh, Julia Salabert

The most important change is that the cost barrier to generating strategic effects has dropped dramatically.

Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 9, 2026

While the military might be ready, is Britain as a whole prepared for a war?

By Elisabeth Braw

On April 9, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was quoted in Forces News in an article discussing whether Britain is prepared for war.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 9, 2026

The secret cargo Putin’s warship was trying to protect in Channel dash

By Elisabeth Braw

On April 9, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was quoted in The i Paper in an article describing how despite the UK threatening to seize shadow fleet vessels that help fund Russia’s war with Ukraine, the Universal sailed past the English coast.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

Issue Brief

Apr 7, 2026

Fusion on paper or in practice? Making the cloud work for ISR and NATO

By Martin Zuber, Trey Herr

NATO’s eastern flank is under persistent pressure across multiple domains. The Alliance's core challenge is not sensing capacity

Defense Technologies NATO

Dispatches

Mar 30, 2026

Europe needs a 21st-century containment strategy toward Russia

By Vytautas Leškevičius, Julia Salabert

Only a policy toward Russia grounded in strength, combined with a refusal to compromise on core principles, can alter the Kremlin’s calculus.

Defense Policy Geopolitics & Energy Security
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, CALIF., CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES 12.18.2025

Report

Mar 30, 2026

How NATO can integrate AI to prevail in future algorithmic warfare

By Dominika Kunertova

NATO’s competitive edge in the era of emerging and disruptive technologies will come from treating AI as a general-purpose enabler embedded across the Alliance’s digital backbone. Military AI does not generate new risks but creates more room for human error and miscalculation. Accidents and inadvertent escalation thus become more likely as military systems bring in more AI components.

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Events

LIVE: The 2026 Distinguished Leadership Awards

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