The rise of complex ‘intermediate zones’: the Ukraine War and China’s opportunity and dilemma in the Middle East

Report Sep 30, 2025

Turkey in the changing transatlantic trade environment

By Charles Lichfield

Exploring Turkey’s position in the changing global trade order and analysis of the opportunities and challenges facing the country.
Economy & Business European Union
The rise of complex ‘intermediate zones’: the Ukraine War and China’s opportunity and dilemma in the Middle East

Issue Brief Sep 30, 2025

As Europe’s neutral states shift closer to NATO, Ireland approaches a turning point for its security

By Maeve Drury and Jason C. Moyer

Ireland spends the least of any EU country on defense. Taoiseach Micheál Martin wants to change that. With military neutrality deeply rooted in the country’s history of violent civil conflict, what will re-armament take?
Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security
The rise of complex ‘intermediate zones’: the Ukraine War and China’s opportunity and dilemma in the Middle East

Issue Brief Sep 29, 2025

How to dismantle a reserve currency

By Daniel McDowell

For the economic tumult that the dollar has faced over the last eighty years, its political foundations have remained steadfast—until now. As the political order on which the dollar system rests grows creaky, dollar preeminence is also looking wobbly.
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Content

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 12, 2022

The rise of complex ‘intermediate zones’: the Ukraine War and China’s opportunity and dilemma in the Middle East

By She Gangzheng

Middle Eastern leaders are closely watching the United States’ strategic rivalry with China and Russia, worrying the region would remain vulnerable to the spillover effects of extra-regional great-power politics.

China Economy & Business

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 12, 2022

A pivot point for Europe’s role in the Middle East

By Julien Barnes-Dacey

Amid an increasingly competitive and multipolar regional order—one in which longstanding European reliance on the United States can no longer be counted on—the bloc needs to grapple with how it can become a more relevant actor to help cement positive openings and forestall new dangers

Crisis Management Europe & Eurasia

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 12, 2022

Washington and the Gulf: A new opportunity to engage differently

By Sanam Vakil

Rather than unequivocally supporting the West’s position on the war in Ukraine, Gulf monarchies have hedged, revealing their deep frustration with Washington and their profound concern over Iran’s aggressive regional posture.

Middle East North Africa
cyber threats, energy transition

Report

Jul 12, 2022

Securing the energy transition against cyber threats

By the Atlantic Council Task Force on Cybersecurity and the Energy Transition

This report recommends a suite of key actions that government can take to shore up the US energy sector against future cybersecurity threats.

Cybersecurity Energy & Environment

Issue Brief

Jun 28, 2022

Twenty-first-century diplomacy: Strengthening US diplomacy for the challenges of today and tomorrow

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Amanda J. Rothschild

The practice of diplomacy has changed over the past several decades, and significant work remains to be done to fully adapt US diplomacy to the challenges of our time.

China International Organizations

Report

Jun 27, 2022

Entangling alliances? Europe, the United States, Asia, and the risk of a new 1914

By Bruno Tertrais

How has alliance formation and maintenance changed since the Cold War? As Russia invades Ukraine, China threatens Taiwan, Iran harasses Gulf States, and Turkey’s neighbors worry about Ankara’s designs, it is a good time to reassess the validity of alliances for global security.

China Crisis Management

Report

Jun 20, 2022

The case for a US-India digital handshake

By Atlantic Council US-India Digital Economy Task Force

This report advocates for a US-India “digital handshake” to overcome substantive and institutional barriers in US-India digital economic cooperation.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

Issue Brief

Jun 16, 2022

The Marshall Plan and the Belt and Road Initiative: More differences than similarities

By Sienna Nordquist

This issue brief provides crucial insights as international political and business leaders once again call for a “new Marshall Plan”—this time to rebuild Ukraine should Russian aggression end.

China Economy & Business

Report

Jun 15, 2022

Missing Key: The challenge of cybersecurity and central bank digital currency

By Giulia Fanti, Kari Kostiainen, William Howlett, Josh Lipsky, Ole Moehr, John Paul Schnapper-Casteras, and Josephine Wolff

New research on the cybersecurity challenges posed by digital currencies and design models that can provide a more secure financial system.

Cybersecurity Digital Currencies

Issue Brief

Jun 14, 2022

Victory reimagined: Toward a more cohesive US cyber strategy

By Emma Schroeder, Stewart Scott, Trey Herr

US policy is on two potentially divergent paths: one that prioritizes the protection of American infrastructure through the pursuit of US cyber superiority, and one that seeks an open, secure cyber ecosystem.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense
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