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Dispatches

Dec 16, 2025

Welcome to Dispatches

By John Cookson

Atlantic Council experts provide daily insight from around the globe on the world’s most pressing policy issues.

Dispatches

Dec 16, 2025

Europe’s battle over Russia’s blocked assets is nearing its endgame

By Charles Lichfield

EU heads of state and government meet this week to discuss and vote on a “reparations loan” plan that would use blocked Russian assets to aid Ukraine.

Conflict Economy & Business

Dispatches

Dec 15, 2025

As the US, Ukraine, and Europe talk of peace, Russia still thinks only of surrender

By John E. Herbst

As US and European officials work with Kyiv to sort out security guarantees and other elements of a potential deal, Moscow continues its obstinance.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Dispatches

Dec 15, 2025

How Europe can strengthen its own defenses and rebalance transatlantic relations

Europe should advance a new security architecture aimed at strengthening its own defense while continuing to cooperate with the United States in areas of mutual interest.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Dispatches

Dec 12, 2025

Iran poses challenges to a National Security Strategy ready to move on

By Nate Swanson

If, as its new strategy suggests, the White House wants to spend less time on Iran, then it has three options—and one is better than the others.

Iran Middle East

Dispatches

Dec 12, 2025

Dispatch from Beijing: Both China and the US think they have the advantage. Only one can be right.

By Melanie Hart

US policymakers must understand exactly how the China model is working if the United States is going to compete effectively with it.

China Economy & Business

Dispatches

Dec 10, 2025

Dispatch from Iraq: The biggest challenge awaiting the country’s next prime minister

By Victoria J. Taylor 

A recent visit to Iraq following parliamentary elections reveals a growing divide between the political elite and the people.

Elections Iraq

Dispatches

Dec 10, 2025

Dispatch from New Delhi: Another India-China flare-up is coming

By Michael Kugelman, Srujan Palkar

China’s recent detainment of an Indian national from a disputed area is a reminder that efforts to ease bilateral tensions can only go so far.

Dispatches

Dec 10, 2025

Why exporting advanced chips to China endangers US AI leadership

By Tess deBlanc-Knowles

Allowing Chinese companies to purchase high-end AI chips risks degrading the United States’s current edge in aggregate computing power.

Artificial Intelligence China

Dispatches

Nov 24, 2025

Dispatch from Taipei: Now is the time to encourage Taiwan’s assertiveness, not hold it back

By Markus Garlauskas

A recent visit to Taiwan reveals how the government, the armed forces, and the citizens there are strengthening both their capability and resolve to defend themselves from Chinese aggression.

China Indo-Pacific