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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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GeoTech Cues

Jul 27, 2026

The best AI you can own is Chinese. The West needs to close that gap quickly.

By Ivan Ferrari

The controls the West built around the data center do not reach the laptop, and the answer is to compete on open models.

Artificial Intelligence China

Econographics

Jul 27, 2026

Why banning open-source AI is a bad idea

By JP Schnapper-Casteras

The best response to capable Chinese open models is not to make US developers less capable. It is to build better, safer, more competitive US models—open and closed.

Artificial Intelligence China

TURKEYSource

Jul 27, 2026

From grain to drones, the Ukraine-Turkey free trade agreement marks a milestone in bilateral cooperation

By Yevgeniya Gaber

The ratification of the Ukraine-Turkey free trade agreement signals a deepening strategic partnership spanning trade, defense, reconstruction, and European integration.

Economy & Business Russia

MENASource

Jul 27, 2026

Syria’s new parliament can build institutions and trust

By Nanar Hawach

The People's Assembly is not designed to check the presidency’s power, but it could help democratize the new political order.

Democratic Transitions Politics & Diplomacy

TURKEYSource

Jul 24, 2026

Turning to Azerbaijani gas and US LNG, Turkey seeks to break its reliance on Russian energy

By İlker Sezer

Turkeyʼs multifaceted approach to diversifying its gas supplies away from Russia, including by buying from the US and Azerbaijan, may finally be paying off.

Energy & Environment European Union

UkraineAlert

Jul 23, 2026

Ukraine leads European efforts to counter Russia’s growing ballistic missile threat

By Maksym Beznosiuk, William Dixon

As the Russian army struggles to advance in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin is increasingly relying on ballistic missiles to target the Ukrainian civilian population and maintain the momentum of his faltering invasion, write Maksym Beznosiuk and William Dixon.

Conflict Defense Technologies

Econographics

Jul 23, 2026

Kenya wants to monetize its data. But at what cost?

By Aadyaa Maddi, Karen Sowon, and Giulia Fanti

As data becomes a strategic resource, Kenya wants to cash in. But without stronger safeguards on consent, privacy, and valuation, its data strategy could become a cautionary tale.

Africa Digital Policy

UkraineAlert

Jul 23, 2026

Putin’s invasion comes home as Ukraine expands attacks inside Russia

By David Kirichenko

With Russia still showing no signs of ending its invasion, Ukraine is expanding a strategic bombing campaign that aims to undermine the logistics supporting the Kremlin war machine, writes David Kirichenko.

Conflict Drones

EnergySource

Jul 23, 2026

Beyond the chip: How the US can shape global standards for AI in energy

By Arno van den Haak

A shift in US policy can better position Washington to set the standards for industrial AI across the energy sector.

Artificial Intelligence Energy & Environment

Econographics

Jul 23, 2026

Mexico can turn USMCA pressure into an industrial opportunity

By Ernesto Stein, Phil Lovegren

Mexico’s record exports mask an uncomfortable reality: its fastest-growing industry—data processing machines—relies overwhelmingly on Asian inputs. A carefully redesigned USMCA could help the country move up the value chain.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation