Category: Timely Commentary & Analysis

Mercenaries in DRC: “Do not come for adventure here”

By Alia Brahimi

After 300 Romanian mercenaries were cornered by M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo in January, Ben reflects on the reasons behind the rebels’ advance, as well as the perennial need for DRC’s government to look to external security providers for help with managing threats.

Venezuela sanctions tracker: Who is the international community sanctioning in Venezuela?

By Lucie Kneip, Geoff Ramsey

International actors including the US, Canada, and the EU have imposed sanctions on individuals responsible for acts of corruption, human rights violations, and the breakdown of democratic rule in Venezuela. How aligned are these countries on sanctions, and where do gaps exist?

Can the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal cut carbon and restore competitiveness? 

By Andrea Clabough, Andrei Covatariu, Elena Benaim, Carol Schaeffer

Atlantic Council experts share their analysis on the EU’s new industrial policy, its implications for European energy security, and how key partners may respond to the bloc’s evolving regulatory landscape.

Martin Mühleisen testifies to House Committee on Financial Services on the role of multilateral financial institutions in competition with China

By Martin Mühleisen

On February 25, Senior Fellow Martin Mühleisen testified to the House Committee on Financial Services at a hearing titled, "Examining Policies to Counter China" 

Kimberly Donovan testifies to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission on the Axis of Autocracy

By Kimberly Donovan

On February 20, Economic Statecraft Initiative Director Kimberly Donovan testified to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission at a hearing titled, "An Axis of Autocracy? China's Relations with Russia, Iran, and North Korea."

Matthew Kroenig testifies to the House Committee on Homeland Security on China’s strategic port investments in the Western Hemisphere 

On February 11, 2025, Atlantic Council Vice President and Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Senior Director Matthew Kroenig testified before the US House Committee on Homeland Security on China’s strategic port investments in the Western Hemisphere, drawing on recommendations from the Atlantic Council Strategy Paper titled A Strategy to Counter Malign Chinese and Russian […]

IEA’s Fatih Birol on the state of nuclear energy advancement around the world

By Atlantic Council

The International Energy Agency executive director spoke at an Atlantic Council Front Page event about cooperation among governments and the energy industry on nuclear energy.

Jonathan Wilkinson: US and Canada need to ‘walk back from the brink’ and find new ways to cooperate—including on energy

By Atlantic Council

At an Atlantic Council event, the Canadian energy minister made the case for a US-Canada alliance on energy and minerals.

Melanie Hart testifies to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on China’s malign influence

By Melanie Hart

On January 30, Global China Hub Senior Director Melanie Hart testified to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at a hearing titled, “The malign influence of the People’s Republic of China at home and abroad: Recommendations for policy makers.” Below are her prepared remarks. Senator Risch, Ranking Member Shaheen, distinguished members of the committee, thank you […]

“No, really”: American PMCs in Gaza

By Alia Brahimi

Host Alia Brahimi chats with modern warfare expert Andreas Krieg about the sudden deployment of three private military companies to the Netzarim corridor in the Gaza Strip.