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

Jan 8, 2026

Ukraine’s robot army will be crucial in 2026 but drones can’t replace infantry

By David Kirichenko

Ukraine's growing robot army of land drones will play a vital role in the country's defense during 2026, but they are not wonder weapons and cannot serve as a miracle cure for Kyiv’s manpower shortages, writes David Kirichenko.

Artificial Intelligence Conflict

Dispatches

Jan 8, 2026

Delcy Rodríguez’s untenable balancing act

By Iria Puyosa

Venezuela’s new acting president must choose between accommodating the Trump administration’s demands and preserving unity among the regime’s Chavista base.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Jan 7, 2026

Ukraine security guarantees are futile without increased pressure on Putin

By Peter Dickinson

Western leaders have hailed progress toward "robust" security guarantees for Ukraine this week, but until Putin faces increased pressure to make peace, Russia will remain committed to continuing the war, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict France

UkraineAlert

Dec 24, 2025

The art of war is undergoing a technological revolution in Ukraine

By Oleg Dunda

Ukraine’s battlefield experience since 2022 confirms that in order to be successful in modern warfare, armies should model themselves on technological giants like Amazon and SpaceX, writes Oleg Dunda.

Conflict Cybersecurity

Dispatches

Dec 24, 2025

The Middle East is on the brink of a new crisis. Here’s where it could start.

By Alex Plitsas

No one should confuse the patchwork of temporary cease-fire agreements in place throughout the Middle East for sustainable deterrence and peace.

Conflict Crisis Management

UkraineAlert

Dec 23, 2025

Reclaiming Russia’s ‘historical lands’: How far do Putin’s imperial ambitions extend?

By Peter Dickinson

Putin has again vowed to "liberate Russia's historical lands" via negotiations or military means. The list of countries that could qualify as "historically Russian" in Putin's revisionist worldview is long and extends far beyond Ukraine, writes Peter Dickinson.

Central Europe Conflict

TURKEYSource

Dec 19, 2025

How NATO and its partners should respond to Russia’s militarization of the wider Black Sea region

By Arnold C. Dupuy

As Russia continues to destabilize and militarize the Black Sea region, helping bolster regional security will require a concerted focus.

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Dec 18, 2025

Prisoner releases are welcome news but talk of a Belarus thaw is premature

By Hanna Liubakova

The freeing of 123 political prisoners in Belarus last week is encouraging news but should not be interpreted as an indication of more fundamental change, writes Hanna Liubakova.

Belarus Conflict

UkraineAlert

Dec 18, 2025

What’s in the new US defense bill for Ukraine?

By Doug Klain

The NDAA includes the best legislative support from Congress that Ukraine has received all year. At the same time, it also underscores the dramatic reduction in overall US support for Ukraine during 2025, writes Doug Klain.

Conflict Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2025

Can US leaders convince Americans that Taiwan is worth fighting for?

By Phillip M. Ramirez

If elected leaders in the United States want to continue to deter Chinese military action, they must work to convince Beijing that Americans would be willing to fight for Taiwan.

China Conflict

Experts