Content Type: In-Depth Research & Reports

Content

Issue Brief

Mar 20, 2026

Aquatic Tiger: How long-range submarine drones could play a role in a Taiwan conflict

By Markus Garlauskas with contributions from Drew Holliday, Adam Kozloski, Nicholas Takeuchi, and Paul Vebber

Could submarine drones help the United States deter or counter a Chinese attack on Taiwan? The Aquatic Tiger wargame was designed to find out. The Atlantic Council's Indo-Pacific Security Initiative reports on the wargame's findings, with implications for the US government, the defense industry, and more. 

Conflict Defense Technologies

Issue Brief

Mar 19, 2026

Federal agencies under pressure need smarter systems, not tougher people

By Caitlin Thompson

Resilience is an important trait for national security practitioners, but it is not a solution for problems with agency and department design. Better systems and strategies can ensure that individuals are fully prepared and ready to respond to crises, rather than consistently under strain.

National Security Resilience

Issue Brief

Mar 18, 2026

Mythical Beasts: Investigating the role of intermediaries in the proliferation of offensive cyber capabilities

By Jen Roberts, Sarah Graham, and Lyla Renwick-Archibold

The opacity of intermediaries in the OCC marketplace represents a discernible gap in current policy frameworks. Brokers and resellers are essential enablers and connectors of the OCC supply chain.

Cybersecurity Technology & Innovation

Issue Brief

Mar 16, 2026

Reconstructing Gaza starts with giving Palestinians financial agency

By Melanie Robbins 

Palestinians are dependent on Israeli banks for cash and access to the financial system, and Jerusalem has floated the possibility of cutting off that access. Any credible reconstruction plan for Gaza has to account for this—otherwise, essential aid organizations can’t pay local staff, and households and businesses can't pay for daily necessities.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Israel

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Mar 16, 2026

Weakening democratic checks and regional insecurity put Benin’s future at risk

By Gilles Olakounlé Yabi

Benin’s democratic gains since 1990 have eroded over the past decade amid growing executive centralization, shrinking political competition, and rising insecurity. Renewing strong institutions and political openness is key to shared prosperity.

Africa Elections

Report

Mar 11, 2026

Is Syria on the right path?

By Asaad Sam Hanna

In the year since the ouster of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria has undergone a massive transformation. How has this played out so far?

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Report

Mar 11, 2026

Ankara and Washington can build on recent groundwork to improve relations and stability

By Murat Yeşiltaş

The US-Turkey relationship can progress not only through crisis-producing issues but also through crisis-preventing areas of agreement.

Europe & Eurasia Middle East

Report

Mar 11, 2026

Foe or friend? US-Turkey bilateral relations seem set to improve as interests align

By Rich Outzen

If Turkey and the US pursue compatible goals and interests, room remains to balance internal political benefits with geopolitical cooperation.

Conflict Defense Policy

Report

Mar 11, 2026

Q&A with Rep. James Walkinshaw (VA-11)

By Atlantic Council Turkey Program

A Q&A with Congressman James Walkinshaw on US-Turkey relations, the Caucus on US-Turkish Relations and Turkish Americans, and Congress’s role in foreign policymaking.

NATO NATO Partnerships

Report

Mar 11, 2026

Navigating change: US-Turkish defense relations in 2026

By Atlantic Council Turkey Program

The sixth issue of the Defense Journal by Atlantic Council Turkey Program, takes up several of the regional, military-technical, and policy issues in US-Turkish relations.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia
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