All in-depth research & reports

Issue Brief

Apr 2, 2019

Transatlantic air power and what to do now

By General Frank Gorenc, USAF (Ret.)

While the United States and its NATO Allies and partners have enjoyed three decades of air supremacy, the pendulum is now swinging in the other direction. As a great power competition with Russia plays out in Europe, the United States and its Allies in NATO must reassess the role and importance of the air domain to transatlantic security.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Report

Feb 7, 2019

Permanent deterrence: Enhancements to the US military presence in North Central Europe

By Ambassador Alexander R. Vershbow (Ret.) and General Philip M. Breedlove, USAF (Ret.)

To provide an independent perspective, the Atlantic Council established a task force to assess the broader political and military implications of an enhanced US posture in North Central Europe. The report’s recommendations, guided by several key principles, are a result of the task force members’ agreement that enhancements to the US presence in the region could, and should, be undertaken to bolster deterrence and reinforce Alliance cohesion.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Report

Nov 29, 2018

NATO priorities after the Brussels summit

By Franklin D. Kramer, Hans Binnendijk, Lauren M. Speranza

In Brussels, allies committed not only to increased spending to meet the NATO 2-percent pledge, but to important improvements in readiness and reinforcement for air, land, and naval forces. They also agreed to adopt an increased focus on the challenges of cyber and hybrid conflict. The commitments are comprehensive, but the results of these decisions will depend on effective implementation. This paper sets forth a policy and programmatic framework for that implementation, proposing four sets of actions that NATO should undertake.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Issue Brief

Feb 28, 2018

Maritime defense for the Baltic states

By Magnus Nordenman

The maritime domain is increasingly a priority for NATO as the alliance seeks to bolster its defense and deterrence posture in Europe’s north and east. Much work remains to be done in terms of NATO’s maritime posture and the maritime capabilities and capacities of its members. The maritime domain presents a unique challenge for NATO’s […]

Maritime Security NATO

Issue Brief

Feb 28, 2018

Maritime defense for the Baltic states

By Magnus Nordenman

The maritime domain is increasingly a priority for NATO as the alliance seeks to bolster its defense and deterrence posture in Europe’s north and east. Much work remains to be done in terms of NATO’s maritime posture and the maritime capabilities and capacities of its members. The maritime domain presents a unique challenge for NATO’s […]

Maritime Security NATO

Report

Feb 27, 2018

Meeting the Russian conventional challenge

By Franklin D. Kramer and Hans Binnendijk

The buildup and threatening exercise of Russian conventional forces has been an important component of Russia’s multifaceted anti-Western campaign. NATO has the inherent capacity to deter, or if necessary prevail in, a conventional conflict. Its forces, however, while large, are currently neither adequately ready nor oriented to ensure that such deterrence is fully credible or […]

NATO Russia

Issue Brief

Jul 31, 2017

Left of launch: Countering theater ballistic missiles

By Herbert C. Kemp

NATO currently finds itself in an increasingly competitive international environment, with potential adversaries who field, among other things, progressively capable ballistic and cruise missile capabilities. This is particularly the case with Russia, which has proven itself capable of fielding conventional long- range strike capabilities that can reach far into NATO territory.

Missile Defense NATO

Issue Brief

Jul 31, 2017

Left of launch: Countering theater ballistic missiles

By Herbert C. Kemp

NATO currently finds itself in an increasingly competitive international environment, with potential adversaries who field, among other things, progressively capable ballistic and cruise missile capabilities. This is particularly the case with Russia, which has proven itself capable of fielding conventional long- range strike capabilities that can reach far into NATO territory.

Missile Defense NATO

Issue Brief

Jul 21, 2017

The US-UK “special relationship” at a critical crossroads

By Schuyler Foerster and Ray Raymond

Ever since World War II, the United States and the United Kingdom have enjoyed a truly special relationship grounded in a shared commitment to a world order based on democracy, the rule of law, and free trade, among other commonalities. However, significant changes on both sides of the Atlantic–with Britain’s decision to exit the European […]

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

Issue Brief

Jul 21, 2017

The US-UK “special relationship” at a critical crossroads

In this issue brief, Dr. Foerster and Dr. Raymond outline the key elements of this unique relationship and provide their recommendations for strengthening the partnership that helps anchor the liberal international order.

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense