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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

Nov 5, 2026

Putin suffers Balkan setbacks as Russia struggles to retain influence

By Michael Getto

Russia’s recent setbacks in the Balkans are a reminder of the foreign policy challenges facing the Kremlin as the full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches a sixth year with no end in sight, writes Michael Getto.

Conflict Elections

UkraineAlert

Nov 5, 2026

Last week’s brief Ukraine ceasefire did not stop Russian attacks on civilians

By Kristina Hook

A recent humanitarian ceasefire around the southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky made it possible to evacuate hundreds of residents, but Russian attacks on civilians elsewhere in Ukraine continue, writes Kristina Hook.

Civil Society Conflict

MENASource

Nov 5, 2026

Washington should broaden its Shia outreach in Iraq. Muqtada al-Sadr is a case study.

By Alfadhel Ahmad

Conversations with several Sadrists reveal a movement preparing to fill a leadership vacuum in Iraq—and engage with the US.

Elections Iraq

Dispatches

Nov 4, 2026

Experts react: Democrats just swept the US midterms. Here’s what it means for the world.

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts assess the global implications of the midterm elections on issues ranging from energy and the economy to US foreign policy.

Elections United States and Canada

Econographics

Nov 4, 2026

The midterms are done. Time for the fiscal clashes to begin.

By Josh Lipsky, Bart Piasecki

The Democrats’ victory in the 2026 US midterm elections sets the stage for major showdowns on the federal budget and the debt ceiling.

Dollar Dominance Economy & Business

Econographics

Nov 3, 2026

A $6 billion hack in a season of AI anxiety

By JP Schnapper-Casteras

A $6.3 billion Binance hack and AI-assisted discoveries of software vulnerabilities made unsettling headlines. But not everything is as new or terrifying as it seems.

Artificial Intelligence Digital Currencies

UkraineAlert

Nov 3, 2026

Europe must weigh rising Ukraine costs against higher price of Russian victory

By Peter Dickinson

If Russia succeeds in overrunning an underfunded and exhausted Ukraine, the consequences for Europe will be catastrophic and the price tag of stopping an emboldened Putin will dwarf the current cost of supporting Kyiv, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Nov 3, 2026

A strong defense industry may be Ukraine’s best security guarantee

By Leonid Baratz

Ukrainians have little faith in written guarantees and are well aware that nobody is going to fight Russia on their behalf. Instead, their most realistic security guarantee is a strong Ukrainian military backed by a powerful domestic defense industry, writes Leonid Baratz.

Conflict Defense Industry

Econographics

Oct 30, 2026

As energy prices threaten inflation again, Lagarde’s European Central Bank legacy offers lessons

By Hung Tran

Christine Lagarde's European Central Bank legacy reflects strong crisis management and efforts to strengthen the euro, but a mixed record on inflation.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Oct 30, 2026

Libya’s maritime deal with Turkey may be the key to reunification

By Mohamed Eljarh

The deal, and the rise of Saddam Haftar, represent a new approach to Libya’s divided domestic politics and foreign relations.

Libya Maritime Security