Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security is a premier Washington, D.C.-based policy research center within the Atlantic Council. It is dedicated to developing sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most critical security challenges facing the United States and its allies. The center honors the legacy of its namesake, Brent Scowcroft, the former National Security Advisor renowned for his integrity and strategic foresight. Its work bridges the gap between policy analysis and practical application, informing leaders in the White House, the Pentagon, and allied capitals.

History and establishment

The center was formally launched in 2014 by the Atlantic Council to institutionalize the strategic approach of Brent Scowcroft, a key architect of American foreign policy during the Cold War and the Gulf War. Its creation aimed to foster a new generation of strategists in the spirit of Scowcroft’s pragmatic, bipartisan ethos, which shaped pivotal moments like the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The establishment was championed by prominent figures including Henry Kissinger and James A. Baker III, reflecting its deep roots in the tradition of American strategic statecraft. Since its inception, it has grown into one of the most influential voices on global strategy within the think tank community.

Mission and focus areas

The core mission is to generate forward-looking strategies that bolster transatlantic security and address emerging global threats. Its research is organized around several interconnected focus areas, including the future of NATO, strategic competition with China and Russia, and the security implications of disruptive technologies. A significant emphasis is placed on nuclear policy, examining deterrence postures and arms control frameworks in the context of challenges from nations like North Korea and Iran. Additionally, it analyzes cross-cutting issues such as climate security, global migration, and the stability of regions like the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East.

Key programs and initiatives

Its work is executed through a series of dedicated programs and task forces. The Transatlantic Security Initiative focuses on strengthening the NATO Alliance and European defense cooperation. The Forward Defense program analyzes high-end military capabilities and operational concepts for the Department of Defense. Other major initiatives include the Asia Security Initiative, which examines strategic dynamics in the South China Sea and relations with allies like Japan and South Korea, and the Nuclear Strategy Project, which convenes experts on modernization and non-proliferation. The center also hosts the annual Global Strategy Forum, bringing together senior officials from the European Union, the United Nations, and global militaries.

Leadership and organization

The center is led by Senior Vice President and Director Barry Pavel, a former official at the National Security Council and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. It operates under the broader umbrella of the Atlantic Council, whose leadership has included notable chairs such as Condoleezza Rice and Michael Morell. The center benefits from guidance by a high-level advisory board featuring former commanders of US European Command, ambassadors, and seasoned journalists from outlets like The New York Times. This structure ensures its analysis is grounded in both deep expertise and practical policymaking experience.

Impact and notable publications

The center exerts influence through high-impact reports, congressional testimony, and regular briefings for policymakers at institutions like the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. Notable publications have included seminal strategy papers on "Allied Solidarity" in the face of Russian aggression following the annexation of Crimea and analyses of great power competition for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Its experts are frequently cited in major media, including The Washington Post, BBC, and CNN, shaping public debate on issues from artificial intelligence in warfare to the future of the AUKUS security pact.