Content

Dispatches

Apr 8, 2026

Don’t overlook how ordinary Iranians view the war

By Kelly J. Shannon

The current blind spot of how ordinary Iranians are faring carries both humanitarian and policy implications.

Civil Society Conflict

Dispatches

Apr 8, 2026

Sanctions waivers on Russian and Iranian oil are set to expire. Here’s what Trump should do next.

By Maia Nikoladze, Daniel Fried

Washington should rely on already established mechanisms to limit revenue flows to both Tehran and Moscow.

Conflict Economy & Business

Dispatches

Apr 7, 2026

Why Peru’s upcoming election matters for US strategy in Latin America

By Martin Cassinelli

Peru’s election will determine who governs next. But for the US, the more important question is whether Peru can rebuild its governing institutions.

Elections Latin America

Dispatches

Apr 3, 2026

Attacking Iran’s energy and water infrastructure is not a winning strategy

By Thomas S. Warrick

The Iranian regime uses a peculiar sense of symmetry in how it conducts military campaigns that cuts against the proposed US plan.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

Apr 2, 2026

Don’t count Orbán out yet. Hungary’s opposition faces an uphill battle on April 12.

By Eva Mulholland

The current Hungarian prime minister’s party is behind in the polls, but there are several reasons why the upcoming election’s results may differ from polling.

Elections Hungary

Dispatches

Apr 2, 2026

الفصائل المدعومة من إيران تُدمِّر العراق—يجب على بغداد مواجهتها

By فيكتوريا تايلور

واشنطن — انفجر منزل يوم 13 مارس في حي الكرادة ببغداد، وانتشرت مقاطع مصورة للمشهد الملتهب على نطاق واسع عبر منصات التواصل الاجتماعي. يبدو أن الضربة — التي نفّذتها الولايات المتحدة على الأرجح، وإن لم تُقرّ بها علنًا حتى الآن — كانت تستهدف أبو حسين الحامداوي، زعيم كتائب حزب الله، وهو فصيل مسلح بارز مدعوم من إيران في العراق. وتشير […]

Arabic Conflict

Dispatches

Apr 2, 2026

Iran-backed militias are destroying Iraq. Baghdad must take them on.

By Victoria J. Taylor 

Iraq cannot continue like this, with drones and rockets menacing the country, and militias assassinating and kidnapping activists and journalists.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

Apr 1, 2026

Trump’s path forward on Iran will determine US-Israeli war alignment

By Daniel B. Shapiro, Cleary Waldo

The US president faces three main options: pursue a negotiated off-ramp, adopt an ongoing attrition strategy, or “escalate to de-escalate” militarily. 

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

Mar 31, 2026

Five takeaways for US policymakers about China’s new five-year development plan

By Melanie Hart, Caroline Costello, Samantha Wong

Chinese leaders are much more focused on their nation’s strengths than its weaknesses, and they are feeling bullish about the future.

Artificial Intelligence China

Dispatches

Mar 31, 2026

By alienating its intelligence partners, the US risks losing more than trust

By Tressa Guenov

Taking actions that erode its intelligence partners’ trust threatens to put the United States at a strategic disadvantage against its adversaries.

Europe & Eurasia Indo-Pacific