Timely commentary and analysis

Relevance at speed is critical for the Atlantic Council. We comment on and analyze real world events as they happen–delivering always more light than heat, and focusing on what matters.

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 13, 2026

Braw in Foreign Policy on the dual threat of pandemics and supply chain shocks

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 13, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was published in Foreign Policy in an article on preparing for the dual threat of pandemics and supply chain shocks.

Resilience & Society

Podcast

May 8, 2026

So what’s the strategy for China?

By the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Host Matthew Kroenig is joined by Kurt Campbell, chairman and co-founder of The Asia Group, to discuss former President Joe Biden’s strategy toward China, the Trump administration's strategic approach to Beijing, and Donald Trump’s upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Campbell most recently served as the 22nd US deputy secretary of state. Previously, as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, he was widely credited as the architect of the US “pivot to Asia.”

China Security & Defense

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 7, 2026

Braw in The Economist on civil defense and societal resilience

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 9, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was mentioned in The Economist’s The Weekend Intelligence Podcast in an episode examining Britain’s lack of civil defense.

Europe & Eurasia Resilience & Society

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 7, 2026

Braw in The Guardian on Royal Navy tracking Russian ships

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 7, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was mentioned in The Guardian in an article discussing the Royal Navy tracking Russian frigates off the British coast.

Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security

Podcast

May 5, 2026

Are we headed toward a US-China trade showdown?

By the GeoEconomics Center

With US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing less than two weeks away, Josh and Jessie sit down with the Wall Street Journal’s chief China correspondent, Lingling Wei, to break down what issues will shape the agenda: from the Iran war to Washington’s push for “rules of origin,” which could fundamentally reshape trade relations. They also dig into the backroom drama of past high-level visits, including shouting matches and fistfights.

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 5, 2026

Braw in Future Center on maritime tolls and global shipping

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 5, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was published in Future Center in an article examining how maritime tolls in strategic chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz could reshape global shipping and trade.

Middle East Security & Defense

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 4, 2026

Braw in Timbro on Security in the Baltic Sea

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 4, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was published in Timbro in an article analyzing security dynamics in the Baltic Sea region and arguing that regional states must take greater responsibility for maritime security.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 4, 2026

Braw in Fokus on U.S. reliability and Sweden’s defense industry

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 4, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was published in Fokus in an article discussing how uncertainty surrounding U.S. security commitments could strengthen Sweden’s defense industry and alter Europe’s defense landscape.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

Timely Commentary & Analysis

May 3, 2026

Braw in SVT on Sweden’s boarding of a suspicious vessel near Trelleborg

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 3, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was featured in SVT in coverage of Swedish authorities boarding a vessel near Trelleborg suspected of involvement in Russia’s shadow fleet operations.

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

Podcast

May 1, 2026

The IEA’s Fatih Birol on ‘the greatest energy security threat in history’

By The Atlantic Council

The war in Iran continues with no clear end in sight, fueling economic turbulence and concerns of a global energy crisis. International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol spoke at an AC Front Page event on April 13th, and argued the conflict is the greatest energy security threat in history. He warned that oil prices will soon “converge” with the on-the-ground reality, knocking the global economy further into disarray.

Economy & Business European Union

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 29, 2026

Braw in Foreign Policy on Trump’s Iran war and strains on U.S. allies’ arms exports

By Elisabeth Braw

On April 29, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was published in Foreign Policy with an article describing how the U.S. war with Iran is straining relations with allies and disrupting arms exports as Washington diverts weapons to meet its own military needs.

Middle East Security & Defense

Transcript

Apr 23, 2026

Full transcript: The 2026 Atlantic Council Distinguished Leadership Awards honor leaders shaping the future with a collaborative spirit

By Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council honored two trailblazing corporate leaders, a military official, and a Grammy-winning country music artist for their roles in shaping the global landscape.

Freedom and Prosperity NATO

Event Recap

Apr 23, 2026

The 2026 Atlantic Council Distinguished Leadership Awards: Honoring leaders who have thrived in a time of volatility

By Katherine Golden, Daniel Malloy

The Atlantic Council honored Banco Santander's Ana Botín, Chevron's Mike Wirth, NATO's Admiral Pierre Vandier, and country music artist Tanya Tucker.

Freedom and Prosperity NATO

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 23, 2026

Braw in Politico on Europe’s hydropower push amid energy security concerns

By Elisabeth Braw

On April 23, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was published in Politico with an article describing how Europe is turning to hydropower as a critical renewable resource to bolster energy security, even as climate variability and infrastructure constraints complicate its role in the clean energy transition.

Critical Infrastructure Policy Europe & Eurasia

Transcript

Apr 17, 2026

Banque de France Governor François Villeroy de Galhau: ‘Europe and America will either win together or fall together’

By Atlantic Council

At an Atlantic Council event, the French central bank governor said that the US Supreme Court tariff decision “reminds us that American checks and balances might well be alive,” but it has “reopened legal uncertainty."

Economy & Business European Union

Podcast

Apr 16, 2026

Ajay Banga on the global economic outlook amid war with Iran

By the Atlantic council

At an AC Front Page event on April 7, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga warned the world to expect “some degree of high inflation and some degree of lower growth” due to the Iran war.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Event Recap

Apr 14, 2026

The IEA’s Fatih Birol: Oil prices will soon begin ‘reflecting the severity’ of the energy crisis

By Katherine Golden

At an Atlantic Council Front Page event, Birol argued that oil prices, while high, are “not reflecting the severity of the problem” posed by the Iran war’s damage to infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Transcript

Apr 13, 2026

Fatih Birol: The IEA is ‘ready to act’ with additional releases of reserves if needed

By Atlantic Council

At an Atlantic Council Front Page event, the executive director of the International Energy Agency spoke about economic impacts of the war in Iran and how countries can mitigate them.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 13, 2026

Braw in Bloomberg on U.S.-Iran talks collapse and Strait of Hormuz blockade threat

By Elisabeth Braw

On April 13, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was featured in a Bloomberg interview discussing the latest on the Middle East conflict as talks between the US and Iran collapsed and President Trump threatened to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.

Middle East Security & Defense

Event Recap

Apr 9, 2026

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau: The old chapter on US foreign policy is ‘coming to a close’

By Katherine Golden

At an Atlantic Council event, Landau talked about the Department of State’s approach to commercial diplomacy and its role in US foreign policy.

Freedom and Prosperity Politics & Diplomacy