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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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UkraineAlert

Oct 29, 2026

Ukraine’s drone defenses debunk the myth of inevitable Russian victory

By Mykola Bielieskov

Ukraine’s emergence since 2022 as a drone superpower has made international headlines, but the role of drone-based air defenses on the battlefield has not yet received as much attention as it arguably deserves, writes Mykola Bielieskov.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Oct 29, 2026

Putin’s quest to reclaim ‘historical Russian lands’ is a recipe for endless war

By Peter Dickinson

Russian President Vladimir Putin's insistence that Ukraine is "historically Russian land" reveals the extent of his imperial ambitions and represents a recipe for endless war, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Disinformation

MENASource

Oct 28, 2026

The Board of Peace for Gaza is not a commercial enterprise. It should stop acting like one.

By Miroslav M. Zafirov

The Board of Peace is missing the infrastructure, funding, and security guarantees it needs to make progress on its mission.

Conflict Israel

UkraineAlert

Oct 27, 2026

UN report: Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid are a ‘crime against humanity’

By Kateryna Odarchenko

Russia’s bombardment of Ukraine’s civilian power grid qualifies as a crime against humanity, according to a new report by the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, writes Kateryna Odarchenko.

Conflict Drones

UkraineAlert

Oct 27, 2026

European infrastructure is vulnerable as Putin escalates Russia’s hybrid war

By Maksym Beznosiuk

Putin is currently looking to exploit Europe’s vulnerabilities as he seeks ways to isolate Ukraine and cut off Kyiv’s European aid lifeline. Civilian infrastructure may be one of the continent’s weakest links, writes Maksym Beznosiuk.

Conflict Critical Infrastructure Policy

TURKEYSource

Oct 27, 2026

Why France and Turkey are giving defense cooperation another go

By Ali Mammadov

France and Turkey still disagree on plenty, but Europe’s changing security environment is giving them stronger reasons to cooperate.

Europe & Eurasia France

EnergySource

Oct 27, 2026

The United States needs an energy policy investors can bank on

By Brian Farnen and John-Henry Burke

Unlocking long-term private investment in US energy infrastructure requires a federal policy framework driven by performance, not political preference.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

UkraineAlert

Oct 21, 2026

Ukrainians are not fighting for Zelenskyy. They are fighting for national survival.

By Peter Dickinson

Trump and Putin both seem to think that removing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would set the stage for a Kremlin-friendly peace deal, but most Ukrainians see the war as a fight for national survival that does not depend on any one man, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Education

MENASource

Oct 21, 2026

The withdrawal of the US-led coalition is a loss for Iraq’s sovereignty

By Yerevan Saeed

The government secured the withdrawal of foreign partners before securing obedience from armed factions. That leaves Baghdad with less leverage against Iran’s allies in Iraq.

Iraq Security & Defense

UkraineAlert

Oct 21, 2026

Moldova’s fight against Kremlin interference faces Gagauzia election test

By Laurențiu Pleșca, Will Kingston-Cox

Moldova’s democratic resilience faces a revealing litmus test on November 15, when autonomous Gagauzia elects a new governor and People’s Assembly amid concerns over Kremlin interference, write Laurențiu Pleșca and Will Kingston-Cox.

Conflict Democratic Transitions