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Dispatches

Mar 6, 2026

How would a Kurdish offensive change the war in Iran?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts explain the goals of the various Kurdish groups the United States is reportedly backing for an attack against Iran and how their involvement could impact the wider war.

Conflict Defense Policy

Dispatches

Mar 6, 2026

Washington’s limited levers to shape a post-Khamenei Iran

By Nate Swanson, Ingrid Small

The United States and its allies do have some options to coax change that might result in a more Western-leaning Tehran.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

Mar 6, 2026

The US and China are in ‘gray zone’ competition. A counterinsurgency model can help explain what that means.

By Dan Minnocci

A model originally designed for counterinsurgency can offer insights into the nature of US-China strategic competition.

Defense Policy Indo-Pacific

Dispatches

Mar 6, 2026

How the White House’s plan B on tariffs can give it all the trade leverage it needs

By Mark Linscott

The US Supreme Court recently struck down IEEPA tariffs, which the White House had used as leverage in trade talks, but there are other options.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Mar 5, 2026

What a Middle East oil and LNG crisis means for China and East Asia

By Joseph Webster, Reid I’Anson, and Kevin Li

China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan would each be affected by a collapse in energy through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed.

China Conflict

Dispatches

Mar 5, 2026

Enforce sanctions to prevent Russia from benefitting in a prolonged Iran crisis

By Kimberly Donovan

Russia has millions of barrels of sanctioned oil it is ready to sell—unless the United States and its allies step up sanctions enforcement.

Conflict Energy & Environment

Dispatches

Mar 5, 2026

While the Iran conflict continues, the Afghanistan-Pakistan crisis is only getting worse

By Michael Kugelman

The war in Iran threatens to exacerbate the escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Conflict

Dispatches

Mar 4, 2026

What Macron’s changes to French nuclear policy mean for European security

By Jonathan Rosenstein and Emily Cheesman

The president’s plan, announced on March 2, expands France’s nuclear arsenal and deepens its cooperation on deterrence with European allies.

France Nuclear Deterrence

Dispatches

Mar 3, 2026

Dispatch from Kyiv: After a long, cold winter, momentum is back on Ukraine’s side

By John E. Herbst

A recent trip to the Ukrainian capital reveals a more positive atmosphere than one might think given the typical tone of the discussion about the war in Washington.

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Mar 3, 2026

How the US and its allies can prevent an energy supply crisis in the Strait of Hormuz

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

As Iran threatens to stop oil and gas shipping through the critical waterway, coordination on what to do with strategic reserves is more important than ever.

Conflict Energy & Environment