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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NATO programming

Featured projects

Upcoming and Recent Events

Expert commentary & analysis

In-depth research & reports

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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 Brief

Nov 2, 2016

NATO’s new frontlines

By Elisabeth Braw

Security and deterrence in the Baltic Sea region.

NATO Northern Europe

Issue Brief

Nov 2, 2016

NATO’s new frontlines

By Elisabeth Braw

Security and deterrence in the Baltic Sea region.

NATO Northern Europe

Issue Brief

Oct 26, 2016

Enhancing the US-Swedish defense relationship

By Magnus Nordenman

Security and deterrence in the Baltic Sea region.

NATO Partnerships Northern Europe

Event Recap

Oct 13, 2016

Enhancing security and defense in the Baltic States

By Lauren Speranza and Marija Vaicekauskaite

On October 13, the Transatlantic Security Initiative hosted a private roundtable on “Enhancing Security and Defense in the Baltic States”. The session featured a keynote address by LTG Jonas Vytautas Žukas, Chief of Defense of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, and a moderated discussion led by James Hasik, Nonresident Senior Fellow for Defense with the Brent […]

NATO Northern Europe

Issue Brief

Oct 4, 2016

A NATO strategy for security in the Black Sea region

By Steven Horrell

NATO faces a worsening security environment defined by Russia’s growing willingness to challenge the West and a Europe whole, free, and at peace. In this new geo-political context the Black Sea region is one of the central friction zones between Russia and NATO. While the Alliance has recently pledged to protect its eastern flank against […]

Maritime Security NATO

Issue Brief

Jul 5, 2016

Updating NATO’s maritime strategy

By STEVEN HORRELL, MAGNUS NORDENMAN, WALTER B. SLOCOMBE

On the eve of the 2016 Warsaw Summit, NATO faces a new and challenging security environment dominated by a revanchist Russia increasingly willing to challenge the West and turbulence and violence across the Mediterranean’s southern rim. In this new security environment, the maritime domains around Europe are potential friction zones and where these challenges increasingly […]

Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security

Bremain vs Brexit

Jun 15, 2016

Brexit: What’s at stake for US security interests?

By WALTER B. SLOCOMBE

On June 23, 2016, a referendum will decide whether Britain will leave the European Union (EU) or remain a member. Britain’s departure from the EU would affect the rest of the world, because it would have implications for a broad spectrum of international concerns–very importantly, international security. For the United States, Britain remains among the […]

NATO Security & Defense

Issue Brief

Jun 3, 2016

A US strategy for building defense and deterrence in the Baltic states

By DAMON WILSON AND MAGNUS NORDENMAN

Since the start of the Ukraine crisis, the Baltic States have come into sharp focus as a key friction zone between a much more assertive Russia on the one hand, and the United States, NATO, and the broader transatlantic community on the other. NATO and the United States have made promising first steps to better […]

NATO Northern Europe

Issue Brief

Jun 3, 2016

Countering Russian aggression in Eastern Europe

By JONATHAN P. DUNNE

The past decade has witnessed a marked increase in Russian aggression and assertiveness. Many Eastern European nations, the Baltic States in particular, have recognized this disturbing and fundamental change in the European security environment and are responding both nationally and multilaterally. In “Countering Russian Aggression in Eastern Europe,” Jonathan P. Dunne, the Scowcroft Center’s US […]

Eastern Europe NATO

Issue Brief

May 26, 2016

Cyber, extended deterrence, and NATO

By Franklin D. Kramer, Robert J. Butler, and Catherine Lotrionte

Cyber is relevant in conflict as well as in lesser circumstances such as espionage and crime. This paper focuses on a conflict, both conventional and hybrid, with an adversary, such as Russia, that has advanced cyber capabilities (Tier V/VI as designated by the Defense Science Board) and includes a conflict with an improving, but less capable nation-state such as Iran.

Cybersecurity Europe & Eurasia

Events