Content

UkraineAlert

Feb 6, 2025

Russian foreign minister compares Trump’s ‘America First’ to Nazi propaganda

By Peter Dickinson

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has compared US President Donald Trump's "America First" concept to Nazi propaganda as the Kremlin continues its long tradition of exploiting the trauma of World War II to demonize opponents, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2025

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan outlines his vision for peace in the region

By Katherine Golden

“It isn’t possible to have real and thriving independence, prosperity, and security without peace,” Pashinyan argued at an Atlantic Council event.

Eastern Europe Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2025

Trump is serious about shaking up the Middle East, even if his Gaza plan isn’t

By Jonathan Panikoff

It’s almost impossible to imagine Trump’s plan for Gaza coming to fruition. But it would be a mistake to think that he was anything but serious with the proposal he laid out Tuesday night.

Human Rights International Norms

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2025

Experts react: Is the US really going to ‘take over’ the Gaza Strip?

By Atlantic Council experts

With his comments this week, the US president appears to be taking US policy toward Gaza in the direction of direct involvement—or is he?

Conflict Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2025

Baltic states unplug from Russia’s power grid—but Moscow still looms over critical infrastructure

By Justina Budginaite-Froehly

Breaking from the Russian system, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are about to synchronize their electricity systems with the Continental Europe Network.

Energy Markets & Governance Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Feb 5, 2025

Charai in the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: President Trump: Kuwait Should Be Next!

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Israel

MENASource

Feb 5, 2025

How the US can benefit from deepening Azerbaijani-Israeli ties

By Joseph Epstein

Washington should learn from Israel’s diplomatic and security collaboration with Azerbaijan to bolster its own ties with Baku.

Defense Policy Economy & Business

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 5, 2025

Poland’s democracy stands firm, but its economy faces headwinds

By Leszek Balcerowicz

Despite recent political turmoil, Poland has shown resilience in defending democracy and the rule of law. However, its economic outlook is less certain, as challenges such as incomplete post-Soviet privatization, high fiscal spending, and demographic shifts are threatening long-term growth.

Civil Society Eastern Europe

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 5, 2025

Surrounded by superpowers, Kazakhstan walks a geopolitical tightrope

By Nargis Kassenova

Still a relatively young nation, Kazakhstan finds itself at critical juncture amid a series of domestic and geopolitical shocks. Its future depends on the success of economic liberalization efforts—and a delicate balancing act: The country must strengthen ties with the West and simultaneously manage its relations with powerful neighbors like Russia and China.

Central Asia Elections

UkraineAlert

Feb 4, 2025

Russia’s war against the West will continue until Putin tastes defeat

By Andriy Zagorodnyuk

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is part of a far larger war against the West. If he succeeds in Ukraine, Putin aims to destroy the existing rules-based world order and usher in a new era dominated by a handful of great powers, writes Andriy Zagorodnyuk.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

Experts

Events