Politics & Diplomacy

Putin cannot defeat NATO but he could divide and discredit the alliance

By Peter Dickinson

If Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to attack NATO, his goal will be to divide and discredit the alliance rather than actually defeating it, writes Peter Dickinson.

Russia is trying to bully Europe into abandoning Ukraine

By Maksym Beznosiuk, Will Dixon

Russia is escalating its campaign of so-called “grey zone” aggression against Europe as Putin attempts to intimidate EU leaders and deter further support for Ukraine, write Maksym Beznosiuk and Will Dixon.

For Putin, the ‘root cause’ of the war is the existence of independent Ukraine

By Kateryna Odarchenko

Moscow claims to be ready for peace once the "root causes" of the Russia-Ukraine War are addressed, but Putin's demands confirm that he believes the "root cause" of the war is the existence of an independent Ukraine, writes Kateryna Odarchenko.

How the US–Canada trade dispute is seen in Mexico

By Brenda Estefan

For Mexico, the US–Canada trade rupture is neither a model to emulate nor a warning against confronting Trump. It is a window into the USMCA negotiations ahead.

What’s at stake for the AfD and Merz in Germany’s three September elections

By Phyllis Berry

The far-right Alternative for Germany is poised to make gains in three upcoming state-level votes in the eastern part of the country.

Where and how Putin could expand his war in Europe beyond Ukraine

By Atlantic Council experts

The CIA director’s recent unannounced visit to Moscow has raised speculation about Russian plans to escalate attacks.

Europe should already start planning for a post-Lukashenka Belarus

By Viktar Baranau

There is nothing about today’s Belarus that suggests a country on the verge of change. Nevertheless, European policymakers would be well-advised to begin preparing for a post-Lukashenka Belarus now, in order to have a plan in place when the moment of transition arrives, writes Viktar Baranau.

A revolutionary coffee: The impact of Syria’s removal from the terrorism sponsor list

The US removal of the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism is big step for Syria toward its post-Assad future.

Why China’s export-maximizing strategy is working—for now

By Martin Mühleisen

China’s economy faces real constraints, but Beijing’s repressive political system might manage them for far longer than expected.