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Atlantic Council blogs provide short-form analyses from Council experts and a wider community of global voices on the world’s most important news stories.
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Econographics

Jun 19, 2026

Central banks can’t afford to keep missing their inflation targets

By Jack Muldoon

While the Iran war explains the sudden rise in inflation, relying on this excuse obscures that there is potentially a long-term problem central banks will need to confront as they manage the long tail of this crisis.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

UkraineAlert

Jun 18, 2026

Putin’s obsession with ‘denazifying’ Ukraine makes peace impossible

By Peter Dickinson

Putin’s obsession with “denazifying” Ukraine makes a mockery of efforts to portray the Russian invasion as a mere land grab and helps explain why there has been no meaningful progress toward peace despite more than a year of US-led efforts, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Disinformation

Econographics

Jun 18, 2026

For warning signs of the next global financial crisis, watch the activities of both banks and nonbanks

By Hung Tran

The activities that trigger financial crises can be undertaken by any financial institution, including both banks and nonbanks.

Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Jun 18, 2026

Ukrainian drones are cutting Russian logistics and reshaping the battlefield

By David Kirichenko

In recent months, Ukraine has dramatically expanded the use of mid-range drones to disrupt Russian logistics behind the front lines and shape the battlefield for future offensive operations, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Jun 18, 2026

Ukraine begins EU membership talks amid skepticism over associate option

By Andreas Umland

Ukraine officially opened membership talks with the ‌European Union this week in a move hailed by Ukrainian officials as “a Rubicon” moment for the war-torn country. While this is welcome news for Kyiv, it remains unclear how long it could still take to actually join the EU, writes Andreas Umland.

Conflict Drones

UkraineAlert

Jun 16, 2026

Russia escalates war on Ukrainian heritage and national identity

By Mercedes Sapuppo

Russia this week bombed one of the most sacred religious sites in Ukraine, the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, marking the latest escalation in a Kremlin campaign to target the symbols of Ukrainian heritage and national identity, writes Mercedes Sapuppo.

Civil Society Conflict

AfricaSource

Jun 12, 2026

Somalia is the dark horse in US defense and economic strategy

By Maureen Farrell, Rose Keravuori

US policymakers have long viewed Somalia primarily through a counterterrorism lens. But as major maritime supply routes come under strain, its position along key sea lanes is reshaping its geopolitical relevance—and external actors like Turkey are already moving to capitalize.

Africa Security & Defense

Econographics

Jun 12, 2026

As the US targets Brazil’s payment system, Europe should pay close attention 

By Alisha Chhangani

In its determination on Brazil’s trade practices, the USTR has zeroed in on the instant payment system Pix—raising alarms not only in Brasília but also in Brussels.

Brazil Digital Currencies

EnergySource

Jun 12, 2026

How to build energy resilience in an uncertain, contested world

By Charles Hendry, David L. Goldwyn, Lee Beck, Phillip Cornell, Ben Cahill

Read the reflections of Atlantic Council experts on the 2026 Global Energy Forum that explored how the US, allies, and partners can fortify interconnections against the weaponization of energy.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

EnergySource

Jun 12, 2026

Conflicts are jolting energy systems. Will they cause ‘structural breaks’?

By Global Energy Center

At the 2026 Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, policy experts shared lessons learned from ongoing wars and explored potential future energy outcomes.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance