Andrew Peek Joins Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative as Inaugural Director

Why It Matters

Embedding resilience into national‑security strategy is essential as geopolitical threats become more complex, shaping policy decisions for the United States and its allies.

Key Takeaways

• Peek appointed inaugural director of resilience initiative
• Initiative aims to embed resilience in US and allied security
• Peek's background spans NSC, State, Congress, military
• Upcoming book examines proxy warfare and plausible deniability
• Initiative positioned to influence policy amid uncertain geopolitical climate

Pulse Analysis

The Atlantic Council’s launch of the Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative reflects a broader shift among think tanks toward operationalizing resilience in defense planning. While traditional security frameworks focus on deterrence and capability, resilience emphasizes the capacity of societies, institutions, and alliances to absorb shocks and recover swiftly. By positioning resilience as a strategic pillar, the Council aims to fill a policy gap that has grown more visible after recent cyber intrusions, supply‑chain disruptions, and hybrid threats across Europe and the Middle East.

Andrew Peek’s appointment brings a rare blend of high‑level government experience and academic insight to the initiative. His tenure at the National Security Council overseeing Europe and Russia, coupled with senior roles in the State Department’s Near Eastern Affairs bureau, equips him to navigate the complex interplay between great‑power competition and regional instability. Peek’s upcoming book, *War without Fingerprints*, delves into plausible deniability and proxy warfare—topics directly relevant to resilience, as they illustrate how adversaries exploit ambiguity to undermine democratic institutions. His military background further grounds the initiative in practical security considerations, ensuring recommendations are both theoretically sound and operationally feasible.

For policymakers and industry leaders, the initiative promises a new hub for cross‑sector collaboration, linking government agencies, private‑sector partners, and allied nations. As the geopolitical environment grows more unpredictable, resilience‑focused policies could drive investment in critical infrastructure hardening, cyber‑defense capabilities, and societal cohesion programs. The Atlantic Council’s platform, amplified by Peek’s network, is likely to shape legislative agendas and inform strategic roadmaps, making resilience a measurable metric in future security assessments. This development signals a proactive stance that could redefine how the U.S. and its partners prepare for and respond to emerging threats.