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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

Sep 17, 2026

Ukraine can do more to counter Russia’s illicit finance threat

By Matthew McGlynn

For more than four years, Ukraine has impressed global audiences with the country’s ability to defend itself against Russia on land, at sea, and in the air. Illicit finance is another important front in the fight against Russian aggression, writes Matthew McGlynn.

Conflict Cybersecurity

EnergySource

Sep 17, 2026

What von der Leyen’s SOTU speech got right about energy—and where the EU still needs to pivot

By Atlantic Council experts

The EU State of the Union address recognizes important energy system challenges but also leaves details on actions murky.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

UkraineAlert

Sep 17, 2026

Putin is escalating against NATO but a Baltic incursion remains unlikely

By James Rice

The recent escalation in Russian gray zone aggression across Europe has sparked a lively debate over how far the Kremlin may be prepared to go, but a Russian attack on the Baltic states remains unlikely, writes James Rice.

Conflict European Union

Econographics

Sep 17, 2026

Ten years into Trump’s trade experiment, the US continues to defy expectations

By Stephen P. Vaughn

A decade of tariffs and trade wars has yet to deliver the economic collapse many critics predicted. Instead, the data tell a more complicated story.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

MENASource

Sep 16, 2026

Could the GCC and Iran collaborate to solve the Strait of Hormuz crisis?

By Alia Brahimi

A Gulf-led maritime cooperation could break the Hormuz stalemate by offering Iran an off-ramp while preventing unilateral control.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Middle East

UkraineAlert

Sep 15, 2026

With Putin overextended in Ukraine, Armenia is turning away from Russia

By Joseph Epstein

Every day Ukraine keeps fighting, Russian influence grows weaker in the countries of the ex-USSR that Moscow refers to as the “near abroad.” Nowhere is this Russian retreat clearer than in Armenia, writes Joseph Epstein.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

Econographics

Sep 15, 2026

The Philippines needs to turn fast growth into productive growth

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

The Southeast Asian nation has proved it can grow. Now, amid shifting supply chains and rising geopolitical tensions, it must prove it can grow more productively.

Economy & Business Indo-Pacific

MENASource

Sep 15, 2026

Can oil deals reset US-Iraqi relations? 

By Yesar Al-Maleki

Iraq has a short window of time to rein in its militias and create favorable commercial conditions to improve ties with the US.

Energy & Environment Iraq

Econographics

Sep 14, 2026

Friends with few trade benefits

By Madeline Chalecki

Free trade agreements were supposed to protect US trading partners. But the Trump administration’s tariffs are putting that promise to the test.

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

UkraineAlert

Sep 13, 2026

Learning from Ukraine’s unrivaled experience of Russian cyber warfare

By Iryna Volnytska

No country in the world today knows more about Russian cyber warfare than Ukraine, but further steps are required in order to help Kyiv’s partners make the most of Ukraine’s unrivaled experience, writes Iryna Volnytska.

Conflict Cybersecurity