Content

Report

Jan 23, 2025

From rivalry to cooperation: The geopolitical implications of Egypt-Turkey rapprochement

By Karim Mezran, Valeria Talbot, Mona Sukkarieh, Alia Brahimi, Nebahat Tanriverdi, Federico Donelli, Abderahman Salaheldin

Turkey and Egypt’s recent rapprochement comes after years of tension.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Report

Jan 15, 2025

Securing a free and open world: A US-EU blueprint to counter China and Russia

By Kaush Arha, Peter Harrell, and Jörn Fleck

An enhanced strategic partnership between the United States and the European Union can advance interests for both sides amid immense geopolitical challenges.

China Defense Industry

Report

Jan 14, 2025

The next decade of strategic competition: How the Pentagon can use special operations forces to better compete

By Clementine G. Starling-Daniels, Theresa Luetkefend

Clementine G. Starling and Theresa Luetkefend discuss how the Department of Defense and Joint force should more effectively leverage Special Operations forces in strategic competition.

Africa China

Russia Tomorrow

Jan 8, 2025

Sanctioned kleptocracy: How Putin’s kremligarchs have survived the war—and even prospered

By Ilya Zaslavskiy

The latest report in the Atlantic Council’s Russia Tomorrow series explores how Russia’s kleptocratic networks infiltrated the West and measures the US and Europe can take to combat the malign influence of Russian kleptocracy around the globe.

Corruption Economic Sanctions
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and his Kurdish counterpart Masrour Barzani sign deal to restart northern oil exports in Baghdad, April 4, 2023.

Report

Jan 6, 2025

Kurdistan’s share of the 2024 Iraqi budget: More than meets the eye

By Ahmed Tabaqchali

How to account for the autonomous Iraqi region of Kurdistan has complicated budgeting in Baghdad in the past. The latest budget cycle may have addressed some of these problems—and may help reset Baghdad-Erbil relations.

Economy & Business Iraq

Report

Jan 4, 2025

‘First, we will defend the homeland’: The case for homeland missile defense

By Robert Soofer with contributions from Kari Anderson, James McCue, Tom Karako, Mark J. Massa, Alyxandra Marine, and Jonathan Rosenstein

A comprehensive analysis of U.S. homeland missile defense, addressing policies, security challenges, and strategies to counter threats from North Korea, China, and Russia.

China Defense Technologies

Report

Dec 19, 2024

What African producers of critical minerals can learn from Indonesia’s experience

By Bradford Simmons and Julien Marcilly

Indonesia and its success with resource nationalism can serve as an example for many mineral-rich African countries.

Africa Energy & Environment

Russia Tomorrow

Dec 17, 2024

The reluctant consensus: War and Russia’s public opinion

By Maria Snegovaya

A new Atlantic Council report explores Russian society’s consolidation around the Kremlin and the Russian public’s perception of Putin’s war on Ukraine.

Civil Society Europe & Eurasia
A Swedish flag is raised during a flag-raising ceremony at NATO headquarters following the accession of Sweden to the alliance, in Brussels, Belgium March 11, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman

Issue Brief

Dec 13, 2024

How a new global defense bank—the ‘Defense, Security, and Resilience Bank’—can solve US and allied funding problems

By Rob Murray

A perennial problem for NATO is getting member states to meet their financial commitments, which include the pledge to spend at least 2 percent of GDP on defense. A bank specifically focused on funding defense projects could offer a way out of the political impasse—and keep NATO technologically up to speed.

Europe & Eurasia International Financial Institutions

Report

Dec 11, 2024

Even in authoritarian countries, democracy advocates are worth investing in

By Fernanda Buril, Nate Grubman, and Patrick Quirk

Case studies in four different regions suggest that using foreign assistance to support actors and organizations advocating for democracy worldwide is an effective strategy, even if the payoff is not immediately apparent.  

Democratic Transitions Elections