Five forces that may reshape the African continent in 2026

New Atlanticist Mar 18, 2025

The Gaza cease-fire is over. What’s next from Israel, Hamas, and the US?

By Atlantic Council experts

In the early hours of March 18, Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, ending the two-month cease-fire. Atlantic Council experts answer pressing questions about the resumed conflict.
Conflict Israel
Five forces that may reshape the African continent in 2026

New Atlanticist Mar 17, 2025

Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead.

By Benjamin L. Schmitt, Richard L. Morningstar, and Daniel Fried

Since Russia appears content for negotiations to move slowly, the Trump administration should turn up the pressure with new sanctions.
Conflict Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
Five forces that may reshape the African continent in 2026

Issue Brief Mar 13, 2025

Present without impact? How the Middle East perceives China’s diplomatic engagement

By Jonathan Fulton

Despite economic advancements and high-profile diplomatic engagements, China’s influence remains largely economic rather than political, Jonathan Fulton argues.
China Economy & Business

Content

AfricaSource

Feb 20, 2026

Five forces that may reshape the African continent in 2026

By Rama Yade

African countries have new opportunities to launch partnerships that serve the continent’s interests and to more permanently carve out Africa’s role in geopolitics

Africa
Economy & Business

Fast Thinking

Feb 20, 2026

The Supreme Court just struck down most of Trump’s tariffs. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council

The Supreme Court ruled that the US president does not have the power to unilaterally impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Rule of Law
Trade and tariffs

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 20, 2026

Tunisia needs both bread and freedom

By Ameni Mehrez

Tunisia was one of the Arab Spring's success stories, with dramatic increases in political freedom after the 2011 uprising. Fifteen years on, the country's experience shows how intertwined freedom and prosperity are. With economic opportunity not matching the increases in political voice, frustration and unrest has followed.

Democratic Transitions
Fiscal and Structural Reform

MENASource

Feb 20, 2026

Iran’s regime is suffering from strategic vertigo. Its next misstep may be its last.

By Michael Rozenblat

Iranian leaders continue to see their major decisions backfire. Will they choose obstinance again in ongoing talks with the US?

Conflict
Iran

Dispatches

Feb 20, 2026

NATO needs to define the substance of its 1.5 percent pledge

By Franklin D. Kramer, Hans Binnendijk

The Alliance must decide on the details for its new category of defense-related spending that allies agreed to at The Hague summit in 2025.

Europe & Eurasia
NATO

In the News

Feb 20, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on CBS News on US strategy in Iran and the Board of Peace

By Atlantic Council

On February 19, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on CBS News about potential US strikes in Iran and the Board of Peace.

Iran
Middle East

Dispatches

Feb 20, 2026

How Trump and Erdoğan can turn US LNG energy dominance into Black Sea stability

By Nataliya Katser-Buchkovska, Landon Derentz

The US and Turkish presidents, along with the Ukrainian president, should strike a deal to open the Bosporus Strait to US LNG tankers.

Energy & Environment
Geopolitics & Energy Security

Dispatches

Feb 20, 2026

What I heard in Munich: ‘We Europeans need a plan’

By Anna Wieslander

Hopes of a bold, unified initiative led by Germany, France, and the United Kingdom did not materialize at the recent Munich Security Conference.

Europe & Eurasia
France

UkraineAlert

Feb 20, 2026

After four years of Russia’s invasion, time to stop underestimating Ukraine

By Mykola Bielieskov

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters a fifth year, it is time to stop underestimating the Ukrainian military and recognize that Kyiv is now a major military power with plenty of trump cards in its possession, writes Mykola Bielieskov.

Conflict
Defense Technologies

Dispatches

Feb 19, 2026

Before striking Iran, Trump should answer these six questions

By Nate Swanson

As negotiations falter, a new conflict looks increasingly likely. Asking the right questions now can prevent problems later on.

Conflict
Iran
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Fatima Abbas

Director of Tribal and Native Affairs, Department of Treasury

Millennium Leadership Program

Politics & Diplomacy Rule of Law

Fellow

Nasredeen Abdulbari

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Middle East National Security

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic China

Fellow

Gbemisola Abudu

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Staff

Aalaa Abuzaakouk

Deputy Director, Millennium Leadership Program

Millennium Leadership Program

Arabic Civil Society
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