Latest from across our blogs

New Atlanticist

Mar 27, 2025

Our experts separate Signal from noise in the Trump team’s messages about bombing the Houthis

By Atlantic Council experts

The still-unfolding revelations offer perhaps the clearest picture yet of how top officials in the Trump administration are thinking about US foreign policy.

Intelligence Maritime Security

MENASource

Mar 27, 2025

Öcalan’s call for disarmament: A new hope for Kurdish peace

By Hanar Marouf

Complexities of reintegrating PKK fighters, navigating Syrian conflict, and addressing Turkish military activity pose significant hurdles.

Europe & Eurasia Middle East

UkraineAlert

Mar 27, 2025

Sanctions will remain an essential tool to deter future Russian aggression  

By Ilona Khmeleva 

Ukraine needs security guarantees to prevent a renewal of Russia’s invasion following any peace deal, but the threat of severe sanctions can also help deter the Kremlin from further military aggression, writes Ilona Khmeleva.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

AfricaSource

Mar 27, 2025

Prioritizing access to critical minerals will require prioritizing Africa

By Benjamin Mossberg

Access to critical minerals is an urgent national security issue. The United States must view investments in African energy, mineral, and mining—key to securing this access—with similar importance.

Africa Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Mar 27, 2025

A US-Saudi deal without Israel? Here’s what the US should ask for.

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Trump could deliver a stronger security agreement with Saudi Arabia that includes the hefty asks from the kingdom without normalization with Israel. But should he?

Defense Policy Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Mar 26, 2025

If Trump wants peace in Ukraine, he must increase the pressure on Putin

By Doug Klain

Weeks after Ukraine backed a US proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, Russia continues to stall and push for further concessions. If Trump wants to secure peace, he must increase the pressure on Putin, writes Doug Klain.

Conflict Defense Technologies

New Atlanticist

Mar 26, 2025

There’s a right way to lift sanctions on Russia. Follow these Dos and Don’ts.

By Daniel Fried, Kimberly Donovan

A former US diplomat and a former US Treasury official offer eleven guiding principles for moving forward in negotiations on sanctions relief with Russia.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist

Mar 26, 2025

An ‘America first’ approach to Venezuela is taking shape

By Geoff Ramsey

US tariff threats against countries importing Venezuelan oil seem geared toward extracting concessions from strongman leader Nicolás Maduro.

Economy & Business Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Mar 25, 2025

Experts react: What to know about the US-led Black Sea cease-fire deal with Russia and Ukraine

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts plumb the depths of the new US agreements with Moscow and Kyiv to end hostilities on the Black Sea.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

UkraineAlert

Mar 25, 2025

Ukraine’s growing military strength is an underrated factor in peace talks

By Serhii Kuzan

Any discussion on the future course of the war against Russia and the terms of any peace deal must take into account the fact that Ukraine is a now major military power in its own right, writes Serhii Kuzan.

Conflict Defense Industry