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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

Mar 18, 2026

The Iran oil shock may be different from other price spikes

By Josh Lipsky, Bart Piasecki, Jessie Yin

Over half of global crude oil and gas production originate from countries openly engaged in major conflicts. We haven't seen such a concentration of output affected by conflicts since World War II.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

TURKEYSource

Mar 18, 2026

The unspoken yet growing synergy in Turkey–Spain relations

By Riccardo Gasco & Samuele C. Abrami

Spanish-Turkish defense cooperation could help normalize Turkey as a security actor within the Euro-Atlantic perimeter.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

UkraineAlert

Mar 17, 2026

The Iran war is good for the Russian economy but bad for Putin’s prestige

By Maksym Beznosiuk, Will Dixon

From Armenia and Syria to Venezuela and Iran, Moscow’s inability since 2022 to aid its allies in times of crisis has seriously damaged Russia’s reputation as a global power, write Maksym Beznosiuk and Will Dixon.

Conflict Geopolitics & Energy Security

MENASource

Mar 17, 2026

A crisis in Egypt could be a warning sign for the global economy 

By Khalid Azim

Market watchers should keep an eye on Egypt as an oil shock could cause financial turmoil.

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions

UkraineAlert

Mar 14, 2026

UN: Putin’s deportation of Ukrainian children is a crime against humanity

By Peter Dickinson

Russia’s deportation of Ukrainian children is a crime against humanity, a new United Nations investigation has found. The mass abduction and indoctrination of Ukrainian children is part of a genocidal Kremlin plan to erase Ukrainian identity, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Mar 12, 2026

Iran war highlights Ukraine’s rapid rise to drone superpower status

By David Kirichenko

The Iran war has sparked a sudden surge in international demand for Kyiv’s unique anti-drone expertise and highlighted Ukraine's rapid emergence as one of the world's leading drone warfare superpowers, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Defense Technologies

Econographics

Mar 12, 2026

By threatening the Strait of Hormuz, Iran turns geography into a global economic weapon

By Alex Mills

Iran’s threat to attack vessels in the Strait of Hormuz has effectively shut down one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes, turning geography into a powerful economic weapon.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

TURKEYSource

Mar 12, 2026

Turkey has weathered regional instability before. But the war in Iran poses greater risks to Ankara than past conflicts.

By Grady Wilson

Turkey is seeking to limit fallout from the US and Israeli war against Iran but threats to national security increasingly threaten its position.

Conflict Iran

EnergySource

Mar 12, 2026

Why Gulf security is critical to global security

By Omran Al-Kuwari

The world depends on Gulf stability. It is time to govern it that way.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Mar 12, 2026

The United States and OPEC in a polarized oil order

By Mahmoud Rashed

Oil price intervention in the form of SPR releases may lower prices in the short term, but the strategy could have unintended consequences down the road.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security