Category: Content Series

The next National Defense Strategy must get Russia right

By Clementine G. Starling-Daniels, Christian Trotti, Tyson Wetzel

The rapidly developing 2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis raises a key question for US defense policy makers as they finalize the next National Defense Strategy (NDS): How can the NDS get Russia "right"? This issue brief seeks to answer this question by developing a US defense strategy for deterring and managing the Russian threat in Europe and beyond, building upon the authors' 2021 report, "Seizing the Advantage: A Vision for the Next US National Defense Strategy."

Russia Crisis Military Assessment: Is snatching a seaport Putin’s next move?

By Atlantic Council military fellows

The Kremlin could invade Ukraine beyond the separatist line of control in the Donbas with virtually no unambiguous warning, according to our military experts.

Today’s wars are fought in the ‘gray zone.’ Here’s everything you need to know about it.

By Forward Defense experts

Our experts help illuminate this shadowy zone of strategic competition—and offer ways for Washington and its allies to begin seizing the advantage. 

AC Selects: Ecuador’s recovery, EU data regulation, and China’s latest digital currency

Week of February 18, 2022 Last week, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center sat down with Vice President of Ecuador, Alfredo Borrero to discuss post-pandemic recovery, and relations with the United States and China. The Europe Center looked at the future of the the European Union’s regulation of data through the Data Governance Act (DGA) […]

Meet the Gray Zone Task Force

By Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council's Gray Zone Task Force will bring extensive knowledge and experience of gray zone operations and will provide recommendations for a strategic framework for the United States to respond to hybrid conflict.

FAST THINKING: The West strikes back against Russia’s Ukraine incursion

By Atlantic Council

Germany canceled Nord Stream 2, while the US and Europe hit Russian banks and elites.

Russian Hybrid Threats Report: Despite debunking of false flags, Putin recognizes breakaway republics

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Council's open-source researchers break down how the Kremlin is seeking to justify incursions in Ukraine, and where the troops are moving.

Special dispatch from Munich: Putin provokes dread and resolve

By Frederick Kempe

In every crisis lies opportunity, but it’s anyone’s bet how deep the crisis Putin unleashes will be, or how lasting the Western response.

Russian Hybrid Threats Report: Evacuations begin in Ukrainian breakaway regions

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab tracks Kremlin allegations of mass graves in Donbas, troop movements, and more.

Reality Check #10: China will not invade Taiwan

By Harlan Ullman

Key points Despite Beijing’s longstanding desire to invade and conquer Taiwan and achieve “one China,” China simply lacks the military capability and capacity to launch a full-scale amphibious invasion of Taiwan for the foreseeable future. With a potential defending force of 450,000 Taiwanese today, using the traditional three-to-one ratio of attackers to defenders taught at […]