The expert conversation: Should Trump strike Iran? What happens next if he does?

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
The expert conversation: Should Trump strike Iran? What happens next if he does?

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
The expert conversation: Should Trump strike Iran? What happens next if he does?

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

Dispatches

Jan 28, 2026

The expert conversation: Should Trump strike Iran? What happens next if he does?

By Jason M. Brodsky and Danny Citrinowicz

As the USS Abraham Lincoln arrives in the Middle East, two experts debate the opportunities, uncertainties, and risks of a US strike on Iran.

Iran
Middle East

Dispatches

Jan 28, 2026

To boost Venezuela’s economic recovery, the US should lean into Colombia

By Enrique Millán-Mejía

With the right safeguards in place, increased US coordination with Colombia can help boost Venezuela’s reconstruction.

Colombia
Economy & Business

Inflection Points Today

Jan 28, 2026

The ‘mother of all’ trade deals in the time of Trump

By Frederick Kempe

On Tuesday, the European Union and India announced a free trade deal—an example of how the global system is reorganizing itself.

Economy & Business
European Union

Dispatches

Jan 27, 2026

The India–EU trade deal is worth watching, but not overhyping

By Mark Linscott

The newly announced free trade agreement is an important accomplishment, even if it is unlikely to be transformational.

Economy & Business
European Union

Dispatches

Jan 27, 2026

The EU and India are creating a free trade area of two billion people. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts answer five pressing questions about the major trade deal between Brussels and New Delhi announced on Tuesday.

Economy & Business
European Union

Dispatches

Jan 27, 2026

How the Nordic-Baltic states became Europe’s reliable security engine

By Anna Wieslander

Eight Northern European states are acting together early and turning solidarity into capabilities and delivery. 

NATO
Northern Europe

MENASource

Jan 27, 2026

When UNIFIL leaves, south Lebanon still needs an international presence

By Nicholas Blanford

Absence of an international eye could encourage Hezbollah and Israel into actions that lead to renewed conflict.

International Organizations
Israel

Dispatches

Jan 26, 2026

Inside the biggest Davos debates (other than Greenland)

By Josh Lipsky, Alisha Chhangani

As the annual World Economic Forum in Switzerland ends, the issues discussed—from tariffs to AI—will continue to play out in all corners of the world.

Artificial Intelligence
Economy & Business

Inflection Points

Jan 25, 2026

At Davos, Trump’s ‘shock therapy’ leaves Europe shaken but healthier

By Frederick Kempe

European leaders now recognize that the continent must fundamentally treat its chronic problems or further surrender global relevance.

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia

Dispatches

Jan 23, 2026

What Trump could do next in Iran

By Nate Swanson

As a US carrier strike group nears the Persian Gulf, what options does US President Donald Trump have to strike against the Iranian regime?

Iran
Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Deng Liu

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

China East Asia

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Helene-Terese Jürgenson

E-Construction Services Project Manager, Estonian Ministry of Climate

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy & Environment Northern Europe

Fellow

Eric V. Guichard

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Corruption

Advisory Council member

Clifford Sobel

Former United States Ambassador to Brazil

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Brazil Economy & Business

Staff

Uliana Certan

Assistant Director, European Engagement

Global Energy Center

Democratic Transitions Energy & Environment

Millennium fellow

Cristián Stewart Claro

Executive Director, IdeaPaís

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Education
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