In-depth research and reports

The threats posed by the global shadow fleet—and how to stop it

By Elisabeth Braw

Since 2022 the number of aging ships whose ownership, insurance status, and safety is unknown has exploded, prompted by Russia’s reliance on this “dark fleet” to ship its oil in defiance of Western sanctions. What can be done about this environmental, economic, and safety threat on the high seas?

Why NATO’s reaction force needs to be rapid to be relevant

By Richard D. Hooker, Jr.

If Russia were to attempt to overrun a Baltic nation, does NATO have the forces ready to react immediately? An air-transportable force NATO fielded a generation ago provides a good model for this generation’s crises.

An energy and sustainability road map for the Middle East

By Ariel Ezrahi

The MENA region is facing a severe crisis due to climate change. Here’s how the US can shape a new model of climate diplomacy.

The shift from party to personality politics is harming Latin American democracies

By Christine Zaino, Sofia Herrera

This paper is the fourth in the Freedom and Prosperity Center’s “State of the Parties” series analyzing the strength of multi-party systems in different regions of the world.

North Macedonia: A reform agenda on the path to EU integration

By Aleksej Demjanski, Biljana Ivanovska, Branimir Jovanović, Sara Milenkovska, Lura Pollozhani, and Malinka Ristevska Jordanova

Five experts from the region map out a reform agenda for North Macedonia’s newly elected government to pursue greater democratic progress and eventual European integration.

Mapping South Asia’s digital landscape

By Mark Linscott, Gopal Nadadur

Data protection regulations are becoming critical for South Asia, where some countries are increasingly driven by digital economies.

Avoiding entanglement: G20 responses in a Taiwan crisis

By Matthew Mingey, Laura Gormley, and Logan Wright

This report identifies China’s likely goals for interactions with G20 nations under a Taiwan contingency, as well as each case country’s respective economic and policy reactions.

A path forward for Colombia’s 2016 peace accord and lasting security 

By US-Colombia Advisory Group, with Isabel Chiriboga and Geoff Ramsey

Halfway through period allotted for the 2016 peace accord’s implementation, Colombia faces slow progress amid rising organized crime. To counter resurgent conflict, Colombia’s government must prioritize carrying out the commitments it made in the accord, backed by millions in US and European investment for long-term security.

Iraq’s 2024 budget: Not what it appears when it first meets the eye

By Ahmed Tabaqchali

Iraq’s budget update seems straightforward but holds hidden complexities. A closer look uncovers discrepancies between appearances and realities, offering insights into Iraq’s fiscal strategy and the structural challenges shaping its economic future.

How Sweden and Finland’s membership in NATO affects the High North

By Anna Wieslander

This issue brief explores the impact of Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership on the High North. Having Sweden and Finland in NATO strengthens the influence of the Alliance in the High North, as it responds to Russia’s military buildup and China’s regional interests. Deterring aggression while maintaining Arctic stability amidst rising geopolitical tensions will require new defense priorities and enhanced Nordic collaboration.

NATO needs a ‘hellscape’ defense at ‘Replicator’ speed

By Franklin D. Kramer, Kristen Taylor

To enhance deterrence, the NATO Alliance should adopt a ‘hellscape’ approach designed to acquire and field low-cost, highly effective massed armaments, prepositioned on the forward lines of conflict, within a two-to-three year timeframe.

Reducing US industrial emissions under budgetary uncertainty

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

The pathway to deep decarbonization remains unclear for “hard to abate” sectors in the United States. By addressing three key challenges, US industry can decarbonize despite financial constraints and political uncertainty.

Global DPI models: Lessons from India, Brazil, and beyond 

By Barbara Kotschwar and Colin Colter

The concept of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is gaining momentum globally, as countries seek to digitize essential services like identification, payments, and civil registration.

The economic and social costs of the war in Gaza

By Perrihan Al-Riffai

After a year of war, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and neighboring countries need a permanent ceasefire. But with development gains erased, billions of dollars in infrastructure damaged, and skyrocketing unemployment, the Middle East also urgently needs a solid reconstruction plan.

Finding security in digital public infrastructure

By Justin Sherman

As governments worldwide adopt Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), the need for robust cybersecurity and privacy protections has never been greater. This paper delves into the critical risks and opportunities associated with securing DPI systems. With examples from India, Ukraine, and other nations, it explores how governments are managing data privacy, addressing cyber threats, and building trust in digital services. The paper highlights key considerations for policymakers, including the balance between openness and security, the role of encryption, and the importance of resilience in digital systems. As more nations turn to DPI, ensuring the safety and privacy of citizens’ data is essential to creating sustainable, trustworthy digital infrastructures.

How digital public infrastructure can support financial inclusion

By Katherine Hadda and Anit Mukherjee

As digital transformation accelerates, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is at the forefront of the global push for financial inclusion. This paper examines how DPI frameworks, particularly those pioneered in India, are bringing financial services to previously underserved populations.

Capture the (red) flag: An inside look into China’s hacking contest ecosystem

By Dakota Cary and Eugenio Benincasa

China has built the world’s most comprehensive ecosystem for capture-the-flag (CTF) competitions—the predominant form of hacking competitions, which range from team-versus-team play to Jeopardy-style knowledge challenges.

End of the line: The cost of faltering reforms

By Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center and Rhodium Group

The China Pathfinder project examines whether China’s economy is converging or diverging with the world’s leading open market economies.

A bipartisan Iran strategy for the next US administration—and the next two decades

As tensions spike in the Middle East, how should the next US president approach Iran and its network of proxies including Hezbollah and Hamas? With a strategy that can be maintained for decades, by administrations of either party. A bipartisan, expert working group lays out the details.

Navigating between data war and peace

By Kenneth Propp

A true settlement on transatlantic data flows should be the focus of the next administrations in the United States and the European Union, or the conflict could flare again.