Conflict

Violent conflict within and between nations has been a consistent feature throughout humanity’s history, and although it has seen a considerable decline in recent decades, it remains a challenge. Conflict destroys lives, wrecks economies, and can destabilize entire regions. The international community has a responsibility to seek peaceful ends to conflicts and to avoid measures that unnecessarily extend or promote the violence.

Content

UkraineAlert

Jul 1, 2025

Putin’s escalating air offensive is overwhelming Ukraine’s defenses

By Mykola Bielieskov

Russian aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities are expanding rapidly and killing growing numbers of civilians. Kyiv must urgently find technological solutions to defend against Putin's escalating air offensive, writes Mykola Bielieskov.

Conflict Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Jun 27, 2025

Experts react: The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a US-backed peace deal. Can critical minerals help end this conflict?

By Atlantic Council experts

Will this agreement succeed in halting the fighting? Our experts read between the lines of the peace agreement.

Conflict Critical Minerals

New Atlanticist

Jun 27, 2025

Four fundamental questions the NATO Summit did not answer

By Torrey Taussig

Over the coming months, NATO allies will have to wrestle with questions about the US commitment to Europe, their shared approach to China, and more.

Conflict Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Jun 27, 2025

Trump’s approach to Russia and its war on Ukraine is evolving, not in one big leap, but in several smaller steps

By John E. Herbst

Both Trump’s strikes on Iran and his statements at the NATO Summit signaled an evolution toward a tougher line on Moscow.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Jun 26, 2025

Putin cannot attend BRICS summit in Brazil as he fears arrest for war crimes

By Peter Dickinson

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend next week’s annual BRICS summit in Brazil as he fears possible arrest for war crimes committed during the invasion of Ukraine, writes Peter Dickinson.

Brazil Conflict

UkraineAlert

Jun 26, 2025

Russia’s persecution of the Crimean Tatars must not be forgotten

By Mercedes Sapuppo

Events will take place across Ukraine this week to mark Crimean Tatar Flag Day. However, there will be no celebrations in Crimea itself, writes Mercedes Sapuppo.

Conflict Human Rights

In the News

Jun 24, 2025

Kroenig in the Washington Post on President Trump’s nuclear nonproliferation strategy

On June 24, Matthew Kroenig, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director, was published in the Washington Post on the precedent set by the Trump administration through its attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. He argues that “the United States could capitalize on this moment and declare a new foreign policy doctrine of counterproliferation […]

Conflict Iran

UkraineAlert

Jun 24, 2025

US secures release of Belarusian prisoners but pressure must continue

By Hanna Liubakova

The release of fourteen prominent Belarusian political prisoners last weekend is welcome news. But the 1172 who remain behind bars in Belarus deserve more than symbolic gestures from the West, writes Hanna Liubakova.

Belarus Conflict

Fast Thinking

Jun 24, 2025

The big lessons from 12 days of war with Iran

By Atlantic Council

A tentative cease-fire is underway in the war between Iran and Israel. But where did the conflict leave Iran, Israel, and the United States?

Conflict Iran

Inflection Points

Jun 24, 2025

Dispatch from The Hague: How Trump can build on his Middle East success with NATO

By Frederick Kempe

As the Alliance summit begins, the US president can already justifiably trumpet three major achievements in the Middle East. Will he add one more in Europe?

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

Experts