Atlantic Council blogs

The West must back Ukraine and Turkey to counter Russia’s attempts to control the Black Sea

By Yevgeniya Gaber

Russia’s efforts to gain control in the Black Sea need to be challenged. Here’s how Ukraine and Turkey can push back with the West’s help.

Russian Orthodox leader Patriarch Kirill’s unholy war against Ukraine

By Borys Gudziak

Russia's Unholy War: Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill has provided the ideological justification for Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and Russian efforts to eliminate Ukrainian national identity.

Southern Europe is the continent’s new economic growth engine

By Sophia Busch and Phillip Meng

The Eurozone returned to growth in the second quarter of 2023. Yet this modest success story has not applied to everyone. Southern Europe’s major economies are driving European economic growth, thanks to roaring tourism and demand for services and luxury goods.

State of the Order: Assessing July 2023

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

What Niger’s coup means for West Africa’s geopolitical contest

By Rama Yade

The ongoing coup in Niamey and others that have taken place in West Africa in recent years reflect significant geopolitical changes underway.

Congress should fund the nuclear sea-launched cruise missile

By Robert Soofer and Walter B. Slocombe

The deployment of SLCM-Ns would send a clear message to adversary and ally alike that the United States maintains the resolve and capabilities to respond to any foe’s nuclear use.

Mubarak for president of Egypt? Nostalgia may be on the upcoming Egyptian presidential ballot.   

By Shahira Amin

While Gamal's plans to succeed his father had fueled public anger in the last years of Hosni Mubarak's rule a lot has changed since.

Khamenei is the best option to negotiate over Iran’s nuclear program. The next Supreme Leader won’t be so willing. 

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Considering the new leader's need to accede to IRGC demands, it seems Iran's future Supreme Leader won’t be able to satisfy the West.

Four big geopolitical tests the European Union faces this year

By Jörn Fleck, James Batchik

From Ukraine to artificial intelligence, the second half of 2023 poses major tests that will reveal the realities of the EU’s geopolitical aspirations.  

New FERC order to accelerate grid transition—but planning reform still needed

By Ken Berlin, Frank Willey

With Congress unable to adequately address permitting reform, FERC has taken the lead. FERC's new interconnection rule is a good first step to ramp up US decarbonization efforts but should be supplemented with transmission planning reform to optimize future infrastructure deployment.