Crisis Management

Could Syria’s rebels take Damascus?

By Qutaiba Idlbi

Controlling Aleppo was a big deal for the Syrian rebels, and taking Hama was an even bigger achievement. But Damascus remains the real prize.

What does Turkey gain from the rebel offensive in Syria?

By Ömer Özkizilcik

The rebel offensive took many by surprise, but analysts familiar with the situation in Syria were aware that the rebels were prepared to launch it by mid-October.

How could US-Taiwan security ties change under Trump 2.0?

By Kitsch Liao

The incoming administration will have significant decision-making power over how the United States would respond to a Taiwan crisis.

Pacing scenarios

By Rich Outzen

Here are some scenarios that NATO should be prepared for against the possibility of a generational conflict with Russia.

Congressman Michael McCaul on why a deal with Russia on Ukraine must have ‘enforcement’

McCaul addressed the threat that Russian aggression poses to US interests, highlighting Moscow’s expanding alliances with North Korea, Iran, and China.

Experts react: Israel has hit back at Iran with airstrikes. Is this the road to war or an off-ramp?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts share their insights on what Israel’s retaliatory strikes against Iran could mean for the prospect of further Israeli-Iranian escalation.

Sledgehammer: The Wagner cult in Syria

By Alia Brahimi

In Season 2, Episode 6 of the Guns for Hire podcast, host Alia Brahimi chats with defense researcher Jack Margolin about his new book on the Wagner Group. They focus on its operations in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the country’s central place within the Wagner subculture. They also discuss the ever-present profit motive […]